The Audacity of Dope

Mr. Lee over at The Exactly has been putting in work on this mixtape for a minute, and it’s finally here for y’all.  I’ll let him describe the goal:

To every listener, fan, participant, artist, producer:

When I started this blog I did so believing that I could fill a gap where I thought something was missing. There were many artists I felt should be exposed, art, events, movies and funny things I wanted to share with as many people as possible. The idea of a mixtape came to mind during one of those wonderful moments where you’re thinking about all the things you COULD do with an outlet. Being that my moniker is “Your New Favorite…,” it was only right to name the mixtape “Your New Favorite Mixtape.” From its inception, the mixtape had to be something that represented what I felt the blog stood for, sharing DOPE SH*T with everybody! I didn’t want it to be a West Coast mixtape, underground Hip Hop mixtape or mainstream, I merely wanted to put songs that I thought were dope together in a package for people to bang. The process of putting together this mixtape has had its setbacks and delays, but I persisted and I can finally give it to ya’ll.

Good ish.  And if that’s not enough to convince you to download the mixtape, it features TAOD approved artists like U-N-I, Pacific Division, Shawn Jackson, Theo, Cool Kids, Now On, Blu, TiRon, Tunji, and many more.

Download it immediately right here.  Tracklisting after the jump. Read more »

Yes y’all.  I was excited for 8-8-08 for two reasons (and not looking forward to it for one): 1) the Olympics kick off today (or have they already?  I dunno with the time difference, I just know I’ll be watching the ceremonies tonight), 2) up and coming artist Theo dropped his mixtape The Birth for y’all to check out.  This kid is dope.

1. Hi (Prod. Judah)
2. There’s Meaning (Prod. Kris Fame)
3. Good Morning America (Prod. Young E)
4. Sweetest Language (Prod. Profit)
5. T.V Show (My Life) (Prod. Brose)
6. Hola Oh Theo (Prod. Young E)
7. Star Struck
8. Lightwork
9. Dillagence
10. Ridin Down The Freeway
11. Keep Doing Your Thing Ft. Skyzoo (Prod. Kris Fame)
12. Grammy Family (Gramphone Flow)
13. Creator
14. High Life Ft. J.A.M.E.S Watts (Prod. Santo Angelo)
15. Somethin For Me
16. iDream (Prod. Brose)
17. Theo till Infinity (Prod. Austin White)

Courtesy of OKP.  Download here.

The homey Tor just dropped a free mixtape for y’all, highlighting unreleased joints, freestyles, and guest spots he’s done over the years.  It features MC’s like Supastition, Emilio Rojas, Skyzoo, Dan Johns, Tanya Morgan, Fresh Daily, Chaundon, and more.  Production from 9th Wonder, Illmind, Khrysis, Analogic, Marco Polo, Madlib, etc.  Yeah.  You’re gonna need to check this out immediately.

1. Heard It All Before w/ Emilio Rojas (Prod by Khrysis)
2. Merchant Of Dreams w/ Skyzoo & The Embassy (Prod by 9th Wonder)
3. The Takeover ft. Kil Ripkin (Prod by COS)
4. Uncomfortable (Prod by 9th Wonder)
5. Shake It Off w/ Tanya Morgan & Kam Moye (Prod by Brizzo)
6. Crash (Prod by Khrysis)
7. No Where No More w/ Eternia & Ms. Davis (Prod by 9th Wonder)
8. Higher Learning (Unreleased) (Prod by COS)
9. Told You That w/ Chaundon (Prod by Khrysis)
10. I Dont Care w/ Nefew
11. T.I.M.E. (Prod by Vega & Suede)
12. 3 Kings w/ Skyzoo & Chaundon (Prod by Analogic)
13. Lick The Balls
14. Best Out w/ Skyzoo & Draftpick
15. Good God (Prod by Marco Polo)
16. New Blood w/ Emilio Rojas, Skyzoo & Fresh Daily (Prod by Illmind)
17. Broken Dreamz ft. KoMika (Unreleased) (Prod by Vega & Suede)
18. Rise Up (Unreleased) (Prod by COS)
19. The People w/ ESSO
20. Hip Hop w/ Punchline & Stick (Prod by Madlib)
21. Getting Money w/ Magnif of Lawless Element (Prod by Magnif)
22. Promises w/ Kil Ripkin (Prod by Vega & Suede)
23. Its All Over w/ Supastition, Dan Jons & Finale (Prod by DR)

Download here.

The homey 6th Sense put together this project with Mick Boogie for their trip to Nike’s HQ down in the PDX.  Your friendly neighborhood Hyphen helped hook up track 5.  Tracklisting, download link, and a video recap of their trip after the jump!

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I’ve been meaning to post this up for a minute but the inbox was wylin’ out on me. So, perhaps you’ve heard of this “hipster” hip-hop movement, eh? You know…the idea that since a lot of MC’s are wearing tight (literally, no slang), flashy clothes, and rhyming on either throwback beats or electro-synth stuff, they must be part of this “hipster” takeover. In actuality, most of the artists who fall into this category are just talented dudes rapping honestly about their lives. Some definitely rock clothes that Mars Blackmon himself might shun, but really, that’s the style of streetwear that’s popular these days. If you ask me, it’s less embarrassing than a 5XL white tee, but I’ve never claimed to be any sort of fashion guru. I still subscribe to the “send me a free t-shirt and I’ll wear it” philosophy.

The point is, people are denigrating some really dope artists by tossing that “hipster” label at them. Plus, they get forced into in a box that’s ridiculous to begin with. Ray Protege is a DJ from Chicago (often cited as the heart of the movement between Lupe, ‘Ye, Cool Kids, Kidz In The Hall, etc.) and he’s decided to release this mixtape to poke fun at the whole issue. Whatever label you want to put on these artists, they’re dope. The tape features songs from Sound Session favorites like the Kidz In The Hall, Pacific Division, Wale, Mickey Factz, the Knux, and more. Cover, tracklisting, and download link after the jump.

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You should be. Mick is yet another dope MC from Chicago that’s been putting it down for a few years now. I first heard of him in ’03 I think, and I’ve been checking him out ever since. Dude is nice with it. Recently, he’s been all over the blogs and his buzz is real high right now. If you’re sleeping, here are a few dope recent joints to peep:

The United Centa (Mick Luter, Big Wiz, Rashid Hadee) – “Under The Act”
Mick Luter – “Someday” (Prod. by 1120)
Mick Luter – “Dayz of our Lives” (Prod. by Buckwild)
Mick Luter feat. Element – “Game Recognize Game”
CNC feat. Mick Luter – “Touch the Sky”
Mick Luter – “J-Down” (Produced by Hi-Tek)
Mick Luter – “How we Raised”

That first one is especially intriguing to me, since I’m also a huge Rashid Hadee fan. They’ve formed a group called The United Centa along with Big Wiz, so be on the lookout for anything dropping under that name. Also be sure to check out his upcoming mixtape, The Lesson, dropping on Tuesday…

The homies Dyme Def just dropped their new project, the 3 Bad Brothaaas mixtape, and it’s free to download. Some of the best hip-hop from the town is provided by Brain, SEV, Fearce, and Bean, so check it out and see what life’s like here in the 206.

Dyme Def – 3 Bad Brothaaas

What up fellas!

Yes y’all, Gem’s new mixtape is finally here.  I’m psyched to check this one out since everything that’s leaked so far has been super fresh.  Plus, I really respect the way he’s updating his music to match his evolving personal beliefs as well.  That’s what true art is all about.  Tracklisting and download link after the jump.  Shouts to KayCee.  FNF Up!

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My dude Topic just dropped a new mixtape with DJ Warrior and Felli Fell for y’all to check out.  Topic came through Sound Session about a year ago (Show #111, download here) and he’s a real cool dude.  Plus, he’s nice on the mic.  To top it all off, he’s from West Covina, CA, right near where I went to college (shout to the whole 626 and 909).  Just the kind of MC I like to support.  You can download his new tape right here:

Topic – American Hustler

There’s been a lot of buzz over this kid Asher Roth recently, and from the joints I’ve heard so far, I’ve been impressed. The Em comparisons are the first thing that everyone wants to talk about, but I think that’ll end pretty soon. Click the image above to download his new mixtape, The Greenhouse Effect, with Drama and Cannon.

Shout to the homey Jonathan Master for sending this over.