The amount of material he released during the year (he released 11 mixtapes alone ) His work ethic is truly something else. I'll just say Harvard Blue stuck out to me as my favorite. It was inspired by some 70s movie character. Here's a quote from Curren$y
"I rap about driving around in old Chevys, smoking weed, watching old movies, eating snacks, surfing the Internet. Downloading codes for video games. Ordering quesadillas. Sh*t like that. It's cool. Everybody respect it."
9. Maxo Kream - The Persona Tape
The album cover speaks for itself. Maxo, a Houston trap-rapper, delivered a solid followup to #maxo187, with competent production aiding him.
8. Arca - Entranas
Entranas is the odd ball here since it is the only electronic submission but hey I lowkey enjoyed it more than Mutant and it was inevitably going to be underappreciated anyway.
7. Kamaiyah - A Good Night In The Ghetto
Confession: It took me a while to warm up to this. Kamaiyah delivers a steady project composed with G-Funk and 90s elements that will guarantee a west coast feel. It's straight to the point really and capitalizes her own natural aura. There's no tricks or disguises, just her.
6. Saba - Bucket List Project
Saba delivered an unexpected project for me as it turned out to be quite enjoyable. He's been around the Chicago crew (Chance, Noname, Jamila) as features and they all have been killing it this year. On his own, he seems to have a mellow flow.
5. Denzel Curry - Imperial
Imperial is consistent and hook heavy which contains different musical elements throughout. Denzel carries through his flow pretty well and as a young male, he tells his perspective about society and his association with it as he continues to grow.
4. Tinashe - Nightride
During the majority of the year I did not have high hopes for Tinashe commercial & quality wise as the dilemma of the delayed joyride due to the result of her lacklustre singles just lowered my patience. However, she pulled herself together and managed to release yet another worthy entry on her mixtape collection. And yes some people call this an album, while others an mixtape but i'm classifying this as a mixtape cuz that's what it originally was first. Anyway the name "nightride" fits the album as the songs do have that night-time/"dark" vibe around them. What I also like is how the project is still cohesive, with improved versions like Company. The singles she released beforehand sound better in context to the album as well.
3. Chance The Rapper - Coloring Book
Chance The Rapper has been getting major popularity and acclaim this time around. Inspired by Kanye and the likes, he has taken "church-rap" to another level with this mixtape. His voice is also unique i'd say, but not everyone will like it. Here he does a combination of both singing with his choir crew and uplift rapping with his squad. Coloring Book is very feature heavy and at times that's a plus in terms of having the experience of listening having more variety. There are tracks to turn up to (No Problem, Mixtape), to relax to (Juke Jam, Smoke Break) and to preach with (All We Got, Finish Line, Blessings Part 2).
2. Young Thug - Slime Season 3
SS3 was the final installment in the series, and while most seem to prefer Jeffery, Slime Season 3 for me was the more consistent project he released during the year. More bangers , better production value and little to no filler. Compared with his other slime season mixes, this comes close to an essential.
1. Noname - Telefone
Chicago always wins. Telefone interestingly enough speaks on themes revolving pain & coming of age as a young black female. She has a spoken word type of flow where you would believe that she's a natural born poet. Her voice is playful at times too. I love the mix of hip hop & soulful tunes she brings in, with the help of Raury & theMIND. Even when the project touches on some hard-hitting material (such as family death, police violence, etc ), the tape overalls manages to be uplifting and full with hope. I'm looking out for any future projects from her.
10. Curren$y - The Legend Of Harvard Blue
9. Maxo Kream - The Persona Tape
8. Arca - Entranas
7. Kamaiyah - A Good Night In the Ghetto
6. Saba - Bucket List Project
5. Denzel Curry - Imperial
4. Tinashe - Nightride
3. Chance The Rapper - Coloring Book
2. Young Thug - Slime Season 3
1. Noname - Telefone
Chance slaying
In this day and age, we shouldn't call these albums mix tapes since they are on streaming services and even iTunes.
Mixtapes should be free
adore the top four <3 noname is such a warm narrator, luv her. i can't ever get into arca's solo stuff but if it's better than mutant then i may try it.
Chance slaying
In this day and age, we shouldn't call these albums mix tapes since they are on streaming services and even iTunes.
Mixtapes should be free
Somewhat agree but they should at least be on streaming for free and not exclusively on one platform either. "Free mixtapes" that has that "purchase" tag available gets a bit of a side eye.