Editor's Note: The follow list of best mixtapes is a contribution from Alexander Bank$y, the editor and founder of DopeMusicBlog.com. Check it out!
As the internet and music industry continue to collide and grow, it seems more common for artists to choose to put out high quality projects for free. Our generation has grown up in a world where, specifically in the Hip Hop genre, we are blessed with album quality music in the shape of “mixtapes.” The mixtape is a wonderful tool for artists to take advantage of and an enjoyable audio art form for fans alike. It provides artists with a platform in which they can fully display their creativity and also try new things musically.
In 2012 we have seen various artists virtually explode out of nowhere, established ones attempt to stay relevant, and a few who tried to make comebacks. This year has been full of surprises and some extremely quality music. Below I have compiled a list of 25 of the top mixtapes that were dropped this year (...FO FREE, of course), highlighting a few of the standout tracks that can be found on that specific project.
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25. Casey Veggies – "Customized Greatly Vol 3"
LA upstart Casey Veggies is not even a year removed from graduating high school and is slowly but surely climbing the ladder that is the rap game. He dropped the third installment of his Customized Greatly mixtape series back in April and proved to be a perfect project to start off the summer. Boasting features and production from Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler The Creator, Woody, Polyester, Jhene Aiko, Uncle Dave, Domo Genesis, Raheem DeVaughn and more helped propel this onto my Top 25 Mixtapes of 2012 list.
Notable Tracks: Get That $, Verified, Toe Tag, Euphoria III.
24. Raven Sorvino – "Playa Del Rey"
In case you were unaware, there a many other female emcees who are arguably more talented than Niki Minaj, case in point Los Angeles native Raven Sorvino. Sorvino is part of the newly budding West Coast hip hop scene and her style is evident on her latest release “Playa Del Rey.” With a unique voice and clever rhyme scheme which are both complimented by the fresh production she delivers a very well put together project and shows that she is one of the top female emcees in the game.
Notable Tracks: Gold Chainz, The Wave, My Life, P.A.P.E.R.
23. Trinidad James – "Don’t be S.A.F.E."
An artist who seemingly exploded on the scene out of nowhere, Atlanta up and comer Trinidad James has only dropped one project to date and is a perfect example of how free releases can help build a career. His hit single “All Gold Everything” is being played throughout the country, but some of you probably don’t know about the mixtape that the song was featured on, Don’t Be S.A.F.E. The self-proclaimed 10 month rookie to the rap game has already captivated fans of all walks of life with his highly catchy production, clever wordplay, and interesting style of music. It is truly amazing to see an artist to go from unheard of to extremely popular within a few months. The internet is an amazing tool.
Notable Tracks: Females Welcomed, All Gold Everything, $outhside.
22. Chip Tha Ripper – "Tell Ya Friends"
The artist now known as “King Chip” put out a very solid mixtape “Tell Ya Friends” before the name change. Chip is one of the few artists representing for the city of Cleveland and he makes it very evident throughout the tape. This project has a wide array of talent from the producers to the features, including Wale, Boi-1da, Lex Luger, Bun B, Krayzie Bone, Kid Cudi, and Chuck Inglish to name some of the better known participants. Chip’s flow, laidback yet confident style, combined with the production makes for a very well put together project from top to bottom. Notable Tracks: Out Here, 25 Wives, Boomshakalaka. 21. Domo Genesis & Alchemist –No Idols Odd Future member Domo Genesis recruited super-producer Alchemist for his free release “No Idols.” The project has some big name features including, Smoke DZA, Freddie Gibbs, SpaceGhostPurrp, Action Bronson, Vince Staples, Prodigy and of course fellow Odd Future members Earl and Tyler. Alchemist paints an incredible picture with his epic production and allows Domo to capitalize. Domo delivers his always present weed raps (“Me and My Bitch” being entirely about Mary Jane), but also shows off his skills with more raw lyrics and clever wordplay throughout. The often overlooked Odd Future member delivered a great project and solidified himself as an artist to be on the lookout for more of in 2013.
Notable Tracks: Out Here, 25 Wives, Boomshakalaka.
21. Domo Genesis & Alchemist – "No Idols"
Odd Future member Domo Genesis recruited super-producer Alchemist for his free release “No Idols.” The project has some big name features including, Smoke DZA, Freddie Gibbs, SpaceGhostPurrp, Action Bronson, Vince Staples, Prodigy and of course fellow Odd Future members Earl and Tyler. Alchemist paints an incredible picture with his epic production and allows Domo to capitalize. Domo delivers his always present weed raps (“Me and My Bitch” being entirely about Mary Jane), but also shows off his skills with more raw lyrics and clever wordplay throughout. The often overlooked Odd Future member delivered a great project and solidified himself as an artist to be on the lookout for more of in 2013.
Notable Tracks: Prophecy, Power Ballad, Daily News, Elimination Chamber, The Feeling.
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