Best Mixtapes 2010

Just in case you missed any of these, here are my favorite mixtapes that dropped this past year:

10. Fabolous "There is No Competiton 2: The Funeral Service"

Mixtape Fab always brings his A-game. This is no exception.

9. Das Rascist "Sit Down, Man"

Das Racist takes a more serious approach, and it pays off. There is no denying these guys skills.

8. Hoodie Allen "Pep Rally"

Gotta loves Hoodie's use of samples. Everything from Marina and the Diamonds, to Beach House, to Two Door Cinema Club.

7. Young Jeezy "Trap or Die II"

Everyone could use a little more Jeezy in their lives. "Lose My Mind" just goes too hard.

6. XV "Vizzy Zone"

XV's going to blow up this coming year. Grab this quick.

5. Big Sean "Finally Famous Vol. 3"

The wait was over a year. As much as I hate to admit it, Sean delivered.

4. Major Lazer and La Roux present "Lazerproof"

Not a traditional rap/hip-hop mixtape, but Major Lazer and La Roux combined for one of the more unique and inventive tapes this year.

3. Wale "More About Nothing"

The follow-up to his amazing Mixtape About Nothing, and unlike most sequels, this one might be better than the original.

2. J Cole "Friday Night Lights"

Any mixtape that simultaneously shuts twitter down, as well as the artists own website has got to be good. Wrong. This is great.

1. Wiz Khalifa "Kush and Orange Juice"

This tape singlehandedly brought Wiz out from the underground to having Drake ask him to go on tour. Just incredible from start to finish.

Potomac Boys Club "Lights (Ellie Goulding vs. Waka Flaka and Wale)"

Another ridiculous mash-up from Potomac Boys Club. Check out Ellie's original song here, and another mash-up from these guys here. Saw it at P&P.

Potomac Boys Club- "Lights (Ellie Goulding vs. Waka Flaka and Wale)"

Wale "Aston Martin Music (Freestyle)"

Wale hits up the Rick Rozay/Drizzy hit.

Wale- "Aston Martin Music (Freestyle)"

Wale "The Work (Video)"

Off More About Nothing.

Wale "Number Won (Video)"

Official video off that More About Nothing mixtape that dropped last week. Best mixtape of the year so far. Grab it HERE.

"Brake Lights" vs. "More About Nothing"

As many of you probably know, both Game and Wale dropped mixtapes this past week. After complete listens, I can say that both are excellent in their own rights. Brake Lights by Game could stand alone as an album. It possesses the production and guest spots (Rick Ross, T.I., Robin Thicke, Akon, and Nas) that would warrant a spot at your local Best Buy, and a fourteen dollar price tag. And it's would be worth the fourteen dollars. Game comes with his A-game, coming through with nineteen absolute bangers. The beats are hard and forceful, retaining the gritty image that Game has used to propel his career. However, the beats and atmosphere of the album, while being gritty have a polished feel. The chorus' are that of a highly produced album, with Akon, Shawty Lo, and T.I. lending their talents. In the end, Break Lights represents what Game is capable of when he puts time into his art, as he possesses the talent and connections capable of being one of the best.

While Game represents the "gang-banging" West Coast, Wale comes from the more "hipster" perceived East Coast. As a follow up to his amazing Mixtape About Nothing, Wale presents the follow-up More About Nothing, complete with Seinfeld Ad-libs. Because of this, MAN is less commercially friendly than Break Lights. For some songs, such as "Ambitious Girl" and "The Manipulation Pt. 2" Wale resorts to an almost spoken-word style, rapping in an almost conversational pace, with a minimalist beat. For others such as "The War" and "Black and Gold," Wale gets immense and supple beats, proving his true diversity and talent. And he gets his own share of guest-spots such as Wiz Khalifa, Daniel Merriweather, and Avery Storm. Part of the sheer brilliance of the tape, once again, is the melding of Seinfeld skits and the music, using various clips from the show as seg-ways and themes for the various songs. In the end, both tapes are incredible in their own ways, possessing facets which make each artist and tape unique and successful.

Game- Brake Lights (Presented by Dj Skee)

Wale- More About Nothing

Wale "More About Nothing (Mixtape)"

Two years ago, the DC rapper dropped his classic, Seinfeld inspired, Mixtape About Nothing. Now he's out with More About Nothing; the follow up. I'm only four songs in, but so far it's every bit as good as the first.

Wale- More About Nothing (Mixtape) (Link courtesy of Rap Radar)

Wale "Rude Boy"

Wale goes in over the utterly infectious beat of Rihanna's "Rude Boy." And he does a good job. Love this beat.

Wale- "Rude Boy"

Wale feat. Trel and Black Cobain "Who Don't"

According to 2DB, this song was made at the request of Brandon Jennings as something for him to warm up to. Whether or not this is true, the song definitely serves its purpose. With a Lil' Wayne sample for the chorus, I'm definitely putting this on my warm-up playlist for intramural soccer this year. Speaking of soccer, anyone see the ManU vs. AC Milan game? Rooney> anyone on the planet right now.

Wale feat. Trel and Black Cobain "Who Don't"

Wale "Bedrock (Freestyle)"

Wale goes in on the best track off of the new Young Money album.

Wale- "Bedrock (Freestyle)"