Best Mixtapes of 2009

We did the best albums of 2009, but now it's time for the best mixtapes of 2009. There were a ton, but I think I narrowed it down to the top seven. And, just in case you don't have any music lined up for your New Year's Eve party tonight, we've got the download links for all the tapes as well. Min Soo also highlighted a bunch of these in his Top 10 list as well, cause he included mixtapes. That little rebel...

7. B.o.B B.o.B. vs Bobby Ray

So much talent. Bobby Ray/B.o.B. is going to blow up in 2010. Get this and be ahead of the game. He brings so much more than just great lyrics into his songs, such as great instrumentation, samples, and singing.

6. Drake So Far Gone

Very simple: If you don't know who Drake is by now, download this immediately.

5. Lil Wayne No Ceilings

The return of the mixtape Weezy. None of that Rebirth, Young Money stuff that has plagued Weezy's career as of late. Just Wayne rapping over songs such as "D.O.A.," "Run This Town," and even "I Got A Feeling."

4. J. Cole The Warm-Up

J Cole really came into prominence in 09. And thank God he did, as his talent is undeniable. Excellent lyrics and great flow comprise this tape with "Lights Please" and "Can I Live" being the standout tracks. Debut album coming in 2010.

3. Wiz Khalifa Flight School

While his debut album didn't really live up to my expectations, this mixtape exceeded expectations by a mile. Wiz's lyrics may not be the deepest in the world, but his humorous rhymes, and outstanding beats more than make-up for this slight downfall. And, he uses auto-tune a good amount, and I love the auto-tune.

2. Chiddy Bang The Swelly Express

The lyrics are very good. But the production is what puts this tape on a precipice so far above others. With samples from Sufjan Stevens, MGMT, Belle and Sebastian, and even Mary Poppins, this tape seamlessly blends indie music and hip-hop effortlessly. Probably my favorite mixtape of 09, but Lupe just murdered his tape way to hard not to be #1.

1. Lupe Fiasco Enemy of the State

If you don't have this yet, GET IT. One word: decimation. Lupe takes the beat to your favorite rapper's hit song ("Fireman" by Wayne, "Angels" by Dirty Money, "Say Something" by Timbaland), and absolutely decimates any lyrics they attempted to spit over them, firmly establishing himself as the king of lyrical wordplay.

Nike Basketball

Mr. Lupe Fiasco lays down some lines as Blitzen the reindeer. Say what you want about Nike, but their marketing execs are geniuses.

Lupe vs Jay Electronica

So apparently there was a thread on the OKP forums about Lupe vs. Jay Electronica. Lupe was reading, and decided to drop a few bars. Absolutely insane. He is truly on another level than anyone else in the game right now:

"Coexist, 
the devils in the dealer, the poltergiest is in the pokerchips,
Game changer, I practice Iron Swan Song, Tiger Palm & Cobra Fist,
Go by many slang name's and sobriquets,
Asking me how many lines is in my mind is like asking how many fish can the ocean fit,
I set out to do the impossible like an open fist,
Achieve the unbelievable like throwing Open Pit,
The last line refers to flying saucers, 
A rhyming Chaucer who came from District 9 but now he's flying over it,
Battle Jay Elect? Who has the foolhardy audacity to utter this?
I look at him like a high minded brother from another and when we finally encounter with dual flows overdosed on over-the-counter's its gone be like Mulder meets the Mothership,
Friend Of The People, Fuck the government..."

Lupe Fiasco "Enemy of the State: A Love Story"

New Lupe tape for ya'll. Happy Thanksgiving. 

Lupe Fiasco- "Enemy of the State: A Love Story"