Archie Eversole & DJ Scream Back Like I Never Left It’s been about seven years since Archie Eversole’s “We Ready” was on the rap charts. Backed by DJ Scream, Archie returns to the rap radar with Back Like I Never Left. Fans that hear the new Archie might be taken aback, as this isn’t the overly crunk 16-year-old kid that the game was first introduced to. Lil Archie is a grown rapper now, and he’s actually a better rapper than most listeners may remember. But even with that said, this mixtape isn’t very impressive. This mixtape’s best offering is “Keep Winning,” featuring Ray Lavender. Eversole could have benefited from better production, better concepts, better hooks, and overall, just better songs. Hopefully Archie will find a sound that’s more in tune with the music of today. - Randy Roper
J. Cole The Warm Up The Warm Up is J. Cole’s second official mixtape, and first since signing to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. This mixtape is a pure indication of why Jay inked the rapper/producer to his new label. Cole lyrically breezes through 22 tracks, and on standouts like “Grown Simba,”“Lights Please” and “I Get Up,” he displays a lyrical dexterity and thought-provoking rhymes unseen in most newcomers of today. A couple short freestyles would have been better left off, since they don’t fit into the overall mix of original tracks, but besides that, The Warm Up doesn’t leave much to complain about. If this is just a warm up, it’ll be interesting to hear what J. Cole sounds like in midseason. - Randy Roper
Nonsence/Chewee Radio Vol. 2 Part II of Nonsence’s Chewee Radio series is worth taking a listen to. As a rapper, Nonsence isn’t bad, but this mixtape has no excuse for being 26 tracks long. There are some good records like “Wake It Up” with Akon, “Do You Like It” and “Watching You.” But there’s too many random skits, and remakes like Jennifer Hudson’s “Spotlight” and Jazmine Sullivan’s “Bust Your Windows” were bad ideas. If this mixtape was focused more on making good music as opposed to a radio show theme with Top 10 Hip Hop and R&B hits, Nonsence might have something, but all the skits and remixes make this mostly nonsense. - Randy Roper
Yung LA & DJ Drama/Lamborghini Leland Grand Hustle & Gangsta Grillz The first thing you’ll notice about Lamborghini Leland is that his dimensions are broader than the typical futuristic Yung LA we’re used to. Though you’ll find lots of decent swag tracks like “Offset,”“Bands,” and “Fuckin Wit Da Hood,” here Leland Austin offers a deeper look into who he really is besides just another mohawk rapper. Songs like “Caught My Daddy with It,” which talks about his father receiving a life sentence, and the intro, which is an almost unrecognizable L.A. flow, make for a surprising listen. While it might not exactly be lambo material, this mixtape could get steady rotation in a Benz for sure. - Ms. Rivercity
R. Kelly, DJ Drama & DJ Skee The Demo Tape A video of Kellz “making it rain,” minors-galore, and a smaller R&B market, all mixed together can only lead to one thing - a R. Kelly mixtape. The Pied Piper himself teams up with Mr. Thanksgiving to put out The Demo Tape, which proves the Pied Piper still fucks around, but, as always, not when it comes to the music. Kellz adds his flavor to tracks like Drake’s “Best I Ever Had” and brings exclusives such as “Superman High” with OJ Da Juiceman. Regardless of what you think of Mr. Kelly as a person, The Demo Tape is another reason you can’t question Kellz as a musician. - Rohit Loomba
Nephewblaq & DJ Smallz Sponsored By The Streetz Orlando, FL’s Nephewblaq has been after it for quite some time, so chances are you’ve seen his picture in OZONE at least once. Photo ops aside, this Nephewblaq & DJ Smallz mixtape is a small step in the right direction, but Nephew’s bars still leave room for improvement. He has an ear for picking decent beats, but his ability to precisely ride the production he selects is the issue. Of course, artists like Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juiceman have proven you don’t necessary have to be the most fluent rapper to be successful, but whereas Gucci and OJ overcame their shortcomings and still make catchy records, Nephewblaq isn’t the same story. “Da Ice Got Me To Fly,”“I Love America,” “I Run These Streetz” are somewhat memorable, but if the streets sponsored this mixtape, that money might have been best spent someplace else. - Randy Roper
Laws & DJ Smallz Your Future Favorite Rapper For someone “born in Brazil, raised in Long Island, in white suburbs,” Laws raps pretty good. Unfortunately that means he probably won’t be in any of your favorite music videos anytime soon, so this project’s title may not apply to the masses. And at times his content is somewhat repetitive. But with authentic concepts and amusing delivery, along with J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Trackburnerz’ production, Laws’ proves he’s in the right business, though he tends to criticize it too much. Not one to cater to radio, aside from the enjoyable crossover song “Rain,” you can expect more bar-for-bar lyricism than Billboard chart toppers from Laws - which is a good thing if you appreciate skill over mindless entertainment. - Ms. Rivercity
Trick Daddy & DJ Dephtone/ The Product 7 We haven’t heard much lately MIA’s original don dada, Trick Daddy. However, while he may have been away, it’s apparent that he hasn’t been sleeping. He linked up with Miami mixtape legend DJ Dephtone to put together 24 tracks of some of his best music in years. Simply put, this shit rides out. Filled with exclusive tracks and appearances from artists like Young Jeezy, Kanye, and Majic, this is a great way for Trick to bring back his buzz. - Tony Burgos
OZONE MAG // 61