Top 10 Indie Mixtapes of the Year (Mid-Term Jan – July)

• Tweet
• Share

• Tweet
• Share

UPDATE: The Year-End Top 10 Mixtapes can be viewed here!!!

We’re just past the halfway mark of the year, and it’s been a decent year music wise. I’ve heard a lot of garbage mixtapes, but more importantly I heard some dope mixtapes. Today I’m going to rank the Top Indie mixtapes of the year, so far. This is not the complete and final list, of course the final list will be released at the end of the year. For the record I want to add Til Death Do Us Part” by Cristion D’or should have been in the top 10 , but I just received it a few days ago. There are a few mixtapes that didn’t make the top 10 that are located here on Skewln.com. We recommend you download those as well. New Money, Mission to Marz and The Sequel to name a few.  I’m sure the rank spots will change by the end of the year.

I listen to countless mixtapes everyday, but it would be silly to say I’ve heard every single Indie mixtape. There’s no question I will probably have missed a few mixtapes, but if you feel like I’m missing your mixtape or any other indie mixtape get it to me: MrMikeReal@gmail.com

10. Sam Adams: Boston Boy

I picked up one of his projects to see if the young Boston MC could really spit. Come to find out the Boston rapper isn’t bad at all, more so he actually has a hand full of songs I enjoy. His style isn’t too complex, but when he spits you feel the confidence bleeding through the speakers. The swag is dope, more like a borderline New York type swag, but wait! I know if he reads this he will probably be offended by that statement, because of the whole Red Sox – Yankee thing, so let me be understanding and replace the phase with “North Eastern” swag.

Rating: (6.5/10)

9. Jamie Drastik: The Magnet

One of my favorites is a track called “Gimmick” where he pretty much breaks down the whole hip hop music industry in three minutes. Jamie addresses in the track the things an average up-and-coming artist does to get signed, for example, fake plays on Myspace or fake followers on Twitter. The track is relevant because we personally know people with 500 thousands plays, yet they know damn well they got only 2 fans, if that. Its funny watching these artists act like their the hottest thing on streets,but as Ed lover would say, “C’mon son”!

Rating: (6.5/10)

8. Jay Rock: From Hood Tales To The Cover Of XXL

Jay Rock’s new mixtape has a old school Cali feel to it. There are a few low rider tracks on there where you can picture yourself cruising down the block with a West Coast swag. The mixtape is laid back for the most part, as I already stated it has a strong Cali feel.

If your not a West Coast fan you probably won’t like the beats, the feel or the swag of the mixtape. Lyrically the kid can spit, he gets a big bonus for that. He is considered the “New West”, along with a few other West Coast rappers. Make sure you download the mixtape.

Rating: (6.5/10)

7. T-Will: Welcome

I had an opportunity to check out T-Will’s new mixtape Welcome, and I must say I was impressed. The mixtape is 13 tracks and I didn’t skip a single track. The format is set up to show he can spit, so it doesn’t have a lot of hooks, its straight to the point. I enjoyed the mixtape from top to bottom, although T-Will has room to grow. Because of the straight the point format, I wish the mixtape was a bit longer, maybe two to five more songs. I encourage everyone to download the Welcome mixtape. Also be sure to check his new single Tempted.

Rating: (7.0/10)

6. Pop Dollarz: Bronx Tales

When you think of young rappers you think back on rappers like Lil Bow Wow, and Romeo, but this kid has swag and flow better then a Young Wayne from back in the day. The most impressive thing about Pop Dollarz is fact he doesn’t use any profanity in his rhymes, yet when you listen to his music you wouldn’t notice. The way Pop puts words together is done in such a dope way your mind isn’t focusing on the fact that he isn’t using any profane words. Although he’s 15 years old he’s a smart and intelligent young man who clearly understands the business of the industry. The more songs you can get played on the radio, the bigger the check.

Rating: (7.5/10)

5. Sugar Tongue Slim: Demand More 2

Although STS’s PR team doesn’t seem to be media or fan friendly, the mixtape was dope. There are a couple of tracks that stood out for me: One called “What She Say”, where he’s talking about the struggles of an up-and-coming artist. Artists some times have to lend on a strong friend which there’s no better friend then your mother. He states ” I’m not a moma’s boy, but I’m my moma’s boy”. That’s profound if you really understand the quote. As a whole the “Demand More 2″ mixtape was dope, the lyrics, multies, and beat section was on point. I wish I had the opportunity to listen to more project like this.

Rating: (7.5/10)

4. J Riv: Grind Hard or Go Home

Jay Wills: The one thing that he makes very clear is that he is a Southern rapper with East Coast lyrics, and that is the truth. He is actually spitting, and putting bars together with structure. Riv’s sound is not the stereotypical southern sound that many artists down here have fallen to. And to be honest, his sound may not be for everyone. He has a more laid back approach to the mic, but makes sure you hear every word that he is saying. I’m up in the air about what song is my favorite. Right now, it is between Rivers So Hot and Survival of the Fittest. Survival of the Fittest is nothing but three-and-a-half minutes of raw emotion.

Rating: (8.0/10)

3. Young Swift: 2010

Up until April Young Swift’s 2010 mixtape was the best full balanced mixtape I’ve heard all year. Swift can spit fire lyrics along with making sick hooks. The man has bars, but it’s not so profound that you have to pull out a dictionary to figure out what the hell he talking about. When I say “best balanced” mixtape I’ve heard this year, its because of the fact Swift took beats, which some were industry, and made his mixtape truly sound like his own official album. With the combination of sick lyrics, dope hooks, and nice beats on top of making it sound like a well put together album.

Rating: (8.0/10)

2. X.O: 28 Days later

In a very close second I have X.O’s 28 Days Later. The West doesn’t really get too much credit for being able to spit, but I see Black Wall Street has something to say about that. This past February X.O put out a track every single day, kind of like a marathon aka “Blitz.” The mixtape was fire from top to bottom. You have hits like Getting Money, Pacman, and City Burn. X.O is not your typical everyday rapper. I stated in the article that you don’t have to sell dope or be a two time felon to be considered a “Real N*gga”. In X.O’s single“Getting Money” X.O addresses just that.

Rating: (8.5/10)

1. Nation: The Belief

In my opinion The Belief has been hands down the best mixtape all year. The year is not up, but at this moment Nation has the top spot. If you were watching, the internet was going crazy over the single Mr. Marcus. The track was hot, but I wasn’t sure if the mixtape was going to live up to the hype. I felt it would be good, but nothing close to what I heard. You want to talk about a hungry artist, well here’s your man. I never heard of Nation until about mid-way in July this year. I’m shocked dude flew under the radar this long. The ATL Emcee be spitting no joke. Now when I say Nation be spitting, homie be spitting from the gut.

Rating: (8.5/10)