DJ Infamous, Young Dro & Yung LA/Black Boy, White Boy Grand Hustle partners Young Dro and Yung LA team up to give you some of the smoothest futuristic rhymes from the South. After killing their verses on “Ain’t I” the duo keeps it coming with multiple tracks such as “Shower,”“Blessing” where Yung LA thanks the man above, and “Rats,” a blingin’ hood anthem. But some tracks may be too far out into space for the average music listener, causing the mixtape to fall short. - Jee’Van Brown
Drake/So Far Gone So Far Gone is the third official mixtape release from Canadian actor-turnedrapper/singer Drake. Whether he’s holding his own with an underground king on “Uptown” featuring Bun B, matching Lil Wayne line-for-line on records like “Successful” (which also features Trey Songz) and “Unstoppable,” or singing duets with R&B vets on tracks like “A Night Off” with Lloyd and “Bria’s Interlude,” along with Omarion, the Young Money affiliate showcases a versatility and poise that is virtually unmatched by today’s newcomers. So Far Gone is a mixtape that’s better than most albums, and instantaneously puts Drake’s name in the forefront of Rookie of the Year conversations. —Randy Roper
Don Cannon & Mack Maine/This Is Just A Mixtape Volume 1 Even with all the tremendous success Lil Wayne is experiencing right now, the general is making sure that all his troops are making big moves individually as well. Mack Maine takes up arms alongside Don Cannon for This is Just a Mixtape. Mack’s delivery is on-point throughout and a noteworthy bar or two are spread throughout the mixtape. More importantly, Mack remains consistent from start to finish, waving the Young Money flag proudly. This isn’t just a mixtape, this is a good mixtape. - Rohit Loomba
Stat Quo/QuoCity Stat Quo takes us all on a trip to QuoCity, a world filled with witty lyricism that rides waves of solid production. QuoCity may not have any of the hundreds of Dr. Dre tracks that Stat has in the vaults but this mixtape still shines. The production here will give New Yorkers, West Coasters, and Southerners all a little something to feel at home and helps Quo show off his abilities in all Hip Hop realms. All in all, QuoCity is growing quickly as the mayor pushes for even more progress. - Rohit Loomba
La the Darkman & DJ Drama/ Living Notoriously With LA the Darkman showing up on pretty much every Gangsta Grillz, you’d have to be under a mountain or two to not to have heard a LA verse. But for those few who somehow have managed to remain unexposed, there is now Living Notoriously, an LA edition of Gangsta Grillz. While LA has his shining moments on tracks like “Black James Bond,” he does little to prove why he should be called up to the album league from the mixtape league. - Rohit Loomba Tity Boi/Trap-A-Velli Despite the diamond-encrusted chain hanging around his neck, Tity Boi shows no signs of taking off anytime soon. The Tity half of Playaz Circle brings a weak offering on Trap-A-Velli, not giving much in terms of lyrics or delivery. While a few tracks may make your head bob a little, there will be many more that will mysteriously relocate your finger to the skip button. With more potential than he displays on this tape, Tity needs to bring his best on the next. - Rohit Loomba
Don Cannon & Juice/Position Of Power Arizona’s Hip Hop representative, Juice, is back at it again and this time he’s riding with none other than Don Cannon. Juice stays consistent with Position of Power, a mixtape where he lets everyone know that all is still well within the Black Wall Street family and that he’s now partnered up with Amar’e Stoudemaire. Position of Power shows that a mixtape with Juice is fully fortified with all the lyrical vitamins you need. - Rohit Loomba
Birmingham J & DJ Serious/I’m The Shit Period Some people may remember Birmingham J from his appearances in OZONE way back when, and yes, he’s is still at it. But while I’m The Shit Period has a good collection of bass-pounding production, listening to him rap over these beats is as uncomfortable as a prostate examination. Not even guest spots from T-Pain, Bobby Valentino and Attitude could save this mixtape from coaster status. But at least the beats bang. - Randy Roper
U-N-I & Mick Boogie/Before There Was Love Saying that Thurzday and Y-O, better known as U-N-I, are a breath of fresh air may be cliché, but after listening to this mixtape, there isn’t a better way to describe the Cali rap duo’s music. Along with Mick Boogie, they’ve put together a mixtape that displays their lyricism, creativity, and innovation. Before There Was Love is both a glimpse of the feel good days of Hip Hop and a New School twist. Listeners will fall in love with songs like “Cali Soul,”“Beautiful Day (Remix),”“Yesterday” and numerous others. Emcees like Talib Kweli, Rapper Big Pooh, Black Milk, Evidence, and Mickey Factz also make appearances, adding to U-N-I’s lyrical exhibition. - Randy Roper DJ Scream & Joe Gutta/Grind Hard Winner of the OZONE mixtape contest with DJ Ace, Joe Gutta excels in both delivery and presentation on Grind Hard. The project opens with an attention-grabbing anthem for money-getters everywhere on “Grind Hard.” The young Atlanta rapper continues to impress with tracks like “Stay Down,”“Let’s Go Remix,” and “Dat Bitch,” all featuring Grand Hustle’s JR Get Money. The production and lyrical content leave a little more to be desired in the variety category, but all-in-all, Grind Hard is a solid offering for diehard Southern rap fans. - Ms. Rivercity OZONE MAG // 71