Return of the mix tape
Written by Martini Rox | | starmusic@toledofreepress.comI am a mixtape addict. It is a love/hate relationship that has the power to make me smile or make a Frisbee out of the CD. The art of the mixtape is known by few and the proof of what a good —no, great — mixtape can do is on the top of Hip-Hop charts, in the form of Cash Moneys Drake and Nicki Minaj. Regardless of how you feel about the two, they are the perfect example of a build-up to multi-platinum success.
Artists have used this as an avenue for building a street buzz since the beginning of Hip-Hop. The mixtape made the listener feel exclusive and offered an introduction to an artist before they went and got all “shiny.” Toledo has experienced a surge in this returning trend and I am reviewing the summer’s best to get you through the family road trip, ready for the club and something to wash your car to.
B.Wills — Beverly Scissorhands with DJ Mr. King: On a CD filled with punchlines and laughter, Beverly Wills brings the excitement with fast-paced, upbeat freestyles with original tracks to match. Wills is the “Red Bull” taking you on a long ride with a young fly sound, content and flow reminiscent of current chart toppers. This high-energy CD will keep you awake for that long drive or calorie-burning workout.
U.G.E. Presents B.M.G. “Outa Space The Mixtape”: BMG brings it back with his OuttaSpace project with DJ Sid Deluxx of Soulbeat Music Group. Why is a DJ important? Deluxx provides segues between songs, which helps keep the mood of the CD constant. BMG offers content of a man who is about his family and his work. The struggle is one you can hear with simmering anger and frustration of a man who is sincere and diligent in his quest to make it in the rap game. Not because he wants to party, have a lot of women and indulge in drugs, but because others depend on him. The feeling he is able to convey through a mixtape makes it all seem possible.
Free download: www.ugemusic.com
T.Diamond — “Bars: The Mixtape”: Another artist out of the U.G.E. camp, T.Diamond drops the DJ and concentrates on rhymes over 10 Hip-Hop beats. He keeps the flow of the tape moving with intros and outros aimed at friends and foes but in true T.Diamond fashion he has his own way with the ladies. This is a summer fun mixtape, which means you can take it anywhere. T.Diamond possesses a playful flow reminiscent of the late 1980s (think Dougie Fresh, Slick Rick and The Fresh Prince) with a modern edge. Cocky and confident, he lyrically invites you to his playground, but make no mistake — he is coming for the competition, he just makes it sound fun!
Free download: www.ugemusic.com
Swill Gates — “Everybody Hates Chris”: Soulbeat Music Group artist Swill Gates is already the talk of the town as the summer’s must-have CD. This mix tape sounds more like an album Gates should be promoting. If you are into rappers that degrade women, party and curse a lot, this may not be the mix tape for you. Boasting original tracks from some of Toledo’s best production “Everybody Hates Chris” proves to be a treat for those who love the basics of Hip-Hop.
Swill Gates has a laidback flow with witty metaphors and grooves that showcase the life of a grown man.
Online: www.soulbeatmusic.net.
Now you have the knowledge needed to show some love and support to a few of Toledo’s finest.
As we continue on …
Tags: B. Wills, BMG, On the Rox, Swill Gates, T.Diamond
