It’s been almost 2 years since Static Major died, but his legend continues to grow. If you’ve heard Lil Wayne’s ‘Lollipop‘, you know who Static Major is… so you know who he is. With production credit on huge hits like Genuwine’s ‘Pony‘ and Aaliyah’s ‘Are You That Somebody?‘, his singles as a R&B artist are legit as well. Check out a few selected tracks below:
Static Major feat. Goodfella – Crown & Coke
Here’s the list for this year. The only qualification is that you can’t be on my list from last year. That means your name can’t be Tyga, KiD CuDi, Charles Hamilton, Drake, Mickey Factz, Jae Millz, Wale or Willy Northpole (a pretty decent list). I’ve included some kind of demonstration for each artist, which could be a mixtape, mp3 or video. In no particular order:
One of the best albums of last year:
Big Sean destroys Bangladesh/Gucci Mane’s ‘Lemonade’ beat:
Big Sean – Supa Dupa Lemonade Freestyle
I know I just posted this but:
This was one of my ‘Best Mixtapes of 2009‘:
Mike Posner – One Foot Out The Door
I gotta admit – I’ve been sleeping on J. Cole this past year. Check this out though:
Check out an artist from Cleveland that’s not named CuDi:
Chip That Ripper – The Cleveland Show
Currently, she is the only relevant female rapper. Here is the new video with Mariah Carey:
Mariah Carey feat. Nicki Minaj – Up Out My Face
Could be the future of music. Here are some exhibits to demonstrate:
Jay Electronica – Exhibit A (Transformations)
Jay Electronica & Mos Def – Exhibit B (snippet)
If you haven’t heard, listen to what Mickey Factz says here, and get this mixtape. Oh, and check out Lil Mama serenading Future:
I gotta mention another Young Money artist since I had three on the list last year. Check out some singles:
Short Dawg feat. Tyga & Lil Wayne – I Just Wanna
Young Money feat. Short Dawg – Pass The Dutch
Lil Wayne feat. Short Dawg & Gudda Gudda – Break Up
I know people like to compare B.o.B. with Andre 3000, but I can’t be the only one that thinks that when B.o.B. raps it kinda sounds like T-Pain. Check it out yourself: B.o.B. vs T-Pain. Regardless, his new mixtape is one of the best in a while:
[Featured artists: Charles Hamilton, J. Cole, Asher Roth, Playboy Tre & Bruno Mars]
We were talking about where the phrase ‘no homo’ originated the other day. Lil Wayne has definitely popularized it recently, especially in the intro to his #1 hit, ‘Lollipop’ (listen here). But apparently it all started back in the ’90s with Dipset’s Cam’ron and Juelz Santana (read here). Cassidy’s opinion is a little ridiculous: here. And finally, here’s an ‘educational’ video on the trending topic:
Will Hatcher’s: The Evolution of ‘No Homo’
I even just saw Demetri Martin’s special with this joke:
I’m in a weird position, because I like rainbows, but I’m not gay. So whenever I go out wearing a rainbow shirt, I have to put “Not gay.” But I’m not against gays, so under that I’ll have to put “… but supportive.” It’s weird how one group of people took refracted light. That’s very greedy, gays.
I know this mixtape has been out for awhile, but I had to listen to it pretty extensively to make sure Charles Hamilton really was back. Plus, I’ve recently been trying to support ‘Operation: Ignore Charles Hamilton’ due to his questionable self-marketing/PR strategies.
Operation: Ignore Charles Hamilton:
But ‘Normalcy’ is actually legit; give the tape a full listen or just check out the few tracks I highlight below. I guarantee you’ll like at least one track on this mixtape, and if not, you still gotta respect his producing abilities:
I’ve been a fan of Kane Beatz’s beats since first hearing ‘Spaceship‘ by Treal on Myspace years back. You should check it out; it’s a really catchy beat. Recently, Mr. Beatz is more famous for making the beat for ‘Bedrock‘ by Young Money and Lloyd (also very catchy). Check out a few other songs he’s produced over the past few years including his newest contributions on Young Money’s ‘We Are Young Money’:
Young Money feat. Lloyd – Bedrock
Lil Wayne feat. Gucci Mane – Steady Mobbin’
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DJ Khaled feat. Lil Wayne & Birdman – ‘S’ On My
Ace Hood – I Don’t Give A Fuck
Lil Wayne feat. Brisco – I’m In The Hood
Here is a list of my most played tracks in 2009. Every song on the list was downloaded in 2009. I know this somewhat skews it toward songs from earlier in the year, but it’s a pretty solid list nonetheless. Click on each track to download:
1.) Wiz Khalifa – Boarding Pass
4.) Day26 feat. Yung Joc & Diddy – Imma Put It On Her
5.) New Boyz feat. Tyga – Cricketz
6.) Soulja Boy feat. OJ Da Juiceman – Gold Grill Shawty
7.) Yung L.A. – Have Her Like Bow
8.) Freekey Zekey feat. Gucci Mane – That’s Me
10.) Jay-Z feat. Kanye West – Hate
11.) Lil Wayne feat. Pharrell – Yes
12.) Jay-Z feat. Swizz Beatz – On To The Next One
13.) Drake feat. Trey Songz & Lil Wayne – Successful
14.) Wale feat. Lady Gaga – Chillin’
15.) Gucci Mane feat. Yung L.A. – Do It
17.) Charles Hamilton – MTV Cribs
19.) Drake feat. Bun B & Lil Wayne – Uptown
20.) Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, Fabolous, 8ball, MJG & Shawty Lo – Bricks (remix)
21.) Drake feat. Lykke Li – Little Bit
22.) Big Sean – Supa Dupa
23.) Drake feat. Santogold & Lil Wayne – Unstoppable
24.) Kid Cudi feat. MGMT & Ratatat – Pursuit of Happiness
25.) Lil Twist feat. Lil Wayne – The Leak
26.) Ray Cash & The Notorious B.I.G. – Wavin The .44
28.) Gucci Mane feat. OJ Da Juiceman – Still Cookin
29.) Kid Cudi – Sky Might Fall
30.) Gucci Mane feat. Plies – Wasted
32.) Rich Kids – All In My Video
33.) Slim feat. Ron Browz & Deezo – Heels On (remix)
34.) Yung L.A. – Bow
35.) Gucci Mane feat. Esther Dean – I Think I Luv Her
36.) Beyonce – Diva
37.) Kid Cudi – Up, Up, And Away
39.) Wiz Khalifa – Extra Credit
40.) Yung L.A. feat. Ricco Carrino – Futuristic Love (Elroy)
42.) Big Tuck feat. Gucci Mane – Not A Stain On Me
43.) Drake feat. Birdman – More Milli
44.) Gucci Mane feat. Chip Tha Ripper – Gucci Land
45.) Drake feat. Peter Bjorn & John – Let’s Call It Off
46.) Gudda Gudda – Gettin’ To The Money
47.) Lil Wayne feat. Gucci Mane – We Be Steady Mobbin
48.) Wiz Khalifa – Name On A Cloud
49.) Gucci Mane – Heavy
50.) Henok Achido feat. Sophia Somajo – Pusher
51.) Jay-Z feat. Kid Cudi – Already Home
52.) Kid Cudi – Soundtrack 2 My Life
53.) Lil Wayne feat. Drake, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda & Mack Maine – Every Girl
54.) Mike Posner feat. Big Sean – Speed Of Sound
55.) OJ Da Juiceman – I’m Boomin’ And Bunkin’
56.) Wale feat. Jazmine Sullivan – World Tour
58.) Yung L.A. – I Thank I Can Sang
60.) Drake feat. Lil Wayne & Young Jeezy – I’m Going In
61.) Fabolous feat. Lil Wayne – Salute
62.) Drake – The Winner
63.) The Grouch & Eligh feat. Slug – !BOOM!
64.) New Boyz – So Dope
65.) The Cool Kids – Hammer Bros.
66.) Kevin Cossom feat. Drake – I Get Paper
67.) Gucci Mane feat. Drake & Sean Garrett – In My Business
When a comparatively bad retail-version of your CD sells 73,000 copies in the first week, while a very good mixtape-version is available online for free, your album is #1 in my book. Also, props for songs featuring Sweden’s Lykke Li and Peter Bjorn & John. Everyone better already have at least some version of this mixtape in their library, and get ready for ‘Thank Me Later‘ in 2010.
[Featured artists: Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Bun B, Omarion, Lloyd, Lykke Li, Santogold & Peter Bjorn & John]
I still listen to this CD pretty regularly. ‘Flight School’ showcases Wiz better than any of his other CD’s in 2009 by far.
[Featured artists: Kev Da Hustla & John Record]
Kid Cudi had a big year, and this is his best mixtape effort for 2009.
[Featured artists: Kanye West, Common, Wale, Chip Tha Ripper, Consequence, Kevin Rudolf, Jackie Chain, 88-Keys & Sharam]
I really wish Big Sean would release another mixtape, but this one will have to satisfy until that happens. This tape is solid throughout.
[Featured artists: Mike Posner, Santigold, Jay K, Earlly MacMillion, Dusty McFly, Keely & Pat Piff]
Lil Wayne proves he is still ridiculously creative and has unlimited punch lines… gives me flashbacks to his mixtape haydays a few years ago.
[Featured artists: Birdman, Tyga, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Short Dawg, Shanell & Lucci Lou]
The Cool Kids drop another solid mixtape. I wish these guys came out with more music overall, but you can’t knock their consistent quality.
[Featured artists: Ryan Leslie, Shorty K, Jahda & Tennille]
Gucci is the most popular rapper right now; I can see ‘The State vs. Radric Davis‘ selling between 250K & 500K this week… it’s a good CD. I had this mixtape, ‘Gucci Land’, on replay more than any of his others in the past year.
[Featured artists: OJ Da Juiceman, The Game, Timbaland, Fabolous, Nicki Minaj, Chip Tha Ripper, Dem Franchise Boyz, Yung L.A., Gorilla Zoe, Shawty Lo, Freeky Zekey & more]
B.o.B./Bobby Ray/This guy is definitely one of the most talented of the new artists with his versatility rapping and producing.
[Featured artists: Kanye West, T.I., Charles Hamilton, Asher Roth, OJ Da Juiceman, Bun B, Mickey Factz, Big Kuntry, Mac Boney, Playboy Tre & Killa Mike]
My only non-rap mixtape for the year, and it is Mike Posner for a reason. The songs featuring Big Sean are the highlights for me.
[Featured artists: Kid Cudi, Big Sean, Saigon, Bun B, Clinton Sparks, Freddie Gibbs, GLC & XV]
Another rapper that had a big year; this is Wale’s best overall mixtape effort in 2009.
[Featured artists: Big Sean, Talib Kweli, Mike Posner, Bun B, Joell Ortiz, Lady Gaga, Currensy, Memphis Bleek, Peter Bjorn & John, Young Chris, J Cole, Royce Da 5'9, Joe Budden & more]
Yeah, I couldn’t narrow my list to 10 selections, and I even had a hard time deciding between this mixtape and Tyga’s more recent, ’The Potential‘.
[Featured artists: Lil Wayne, Gata & Short Dawg]
Check out the trailer for Lil Wayne’s documentary called ‘The Carter’. Be sure to watch until the end to catch Adam Tensta’s ‘My Cool’ (mp3 below):
First off, Wiz Khalifa’s new CD, ‘Deal Or No Deal’, dropped today. Definitely give it a listen. You can hear samples and download the whole album for only $6.99 on Amazon – pretty good price. Here’s the cover:
Check out these free mixtapes released in the last week by Young Money artists Lil Twist & Tyga. Twist is only 16, but he has some good lines; he is probably the best in his age class… the class president even. And Tyga is notorious for solid mixtapes:
[Featured artists: Tyga, Gudda Gudda, Jae Millz, The New Boyz, Birdman, Soulja Boy, Yung Joc, Young Dro, Bow Wow, Nicki Minaj, Short Dawg, Trai'D, Lil JJ & Young Durty]
[Featured artists: Lloyd & Gudda Gudda]
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