18 Classic Hip-Hop Mixtapes That You Can Stream Right Now
Written by Jake Radio on February 16, 2019
Mixtapes have long played an important role in hip-hop. Often viewed as an unfiltered, more authentic alternative to the traditional album release, the mixtape format as we now know it rose to prominence in the blog-era 2000s, just as hip-hop heads were becoming more internet savvy. The careers of some of the leading genreās biggest stars were cemented as a result of their once considered unofficial bodies of work. Other rap kings have had their legacies launch off of the strength of their mixtapes.
Starting from the bottom, a relatively unknown Drake dropped the game-changingĀ So Far GoneĀ 10 years ago this week and nothing has been the same since. With hit records likeĀ āBest I Ever HadāĀ and āSuccessful,ā the critically acclaimed projectĀ plays like anĀ official album. The mixtape, which features 17 tracks along with a bonus cut, Kanye West and Lykke Li remakes and guest appearances from R&B stars Trey Songz, Lloyd and Omarion, as well as his OGs Bun B and Lil Wayne, introduced the world to the Toronto upstart. It also propelled the careers of Grammy Award-winning producers Boi-1da and Noah ā40ā Shebib. In honor ofĀ So Far Goneās 10th anniversary, the 6ix God blessed fans whoāveĀ previously only had access to an abbreviated EP version of the classic mixtape by liberating it in its totality,Ā making itĀ available onĀ major streaming platformsĀ including Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal.
DrakeĀ joins a growing list of artists who have made their mixtapes available for mass consumption.Ā Wiz Khalifa and Curren$yĀ have also reintroduced a classic mixtape recently. Currently on the joint 2009 tour, the āRolling Upā tandem streamed their 2009 collaborationĀ How FlyĀ for the first time earlier this month. Wizās cult-classic,Ā Kush & OJ, as well as other gems from his catalogue have also popped up on streaming services over the years.
Here,Ā XXLĀ takes a look at 15 classic mixtapes from the likes of Jay-Z, Future, Meek Mill and others that are currently available on streaming services.
Dame Dash Presents Paid In Full / Dream Team
Artist:Ā Roc-A-Fella Records
Available on:Ā Tidal
Standout tracks:Ā āChampions,ā āDonāt You Know,ā āOne For Peedi Crack,ā āRoc Armyā
50 Cent Is the Future
Artist:Ā G-Unit
Available on:Ā Spotify
Standout tracks:Ā āUĀ Should Be Here,ā āBump Dat Street Mix,ā āThe Banks Workout,ā āG-Unit Soldiers,ā āBad News,ā āG-Unit Thatās Whatās Up!ā
Godās Plan
Artist:Ā G-Unit (With DJ Whoo Kid)
Available on:Ā Spotify, Apple Music
Standout tracks:Ā āCatch Me in the Hood,ā āIf Dead Men Could Talk,ā āBanks Workout Part 2,ā ā187 Yayo,ā āMinds Playing Tricks,ā āNiggasā
The S. Carter Collection
Artist:Ā Jay-Z
Available on:Ā Tidal
Standout tracks:Ā āYoung, Black & Gifted Freestyle,ā āPump It Up Freestyle,ā āBewareā
Trap or Die
Artist:Ā Young Jeezy (With DJ Drama)
Available on:Ā Spotify, Tidal
Standout tracks:Ā āTrap or Die,ā āGet Ya Mind Right,ā āWe Luv Ya,ā ā3-6 Freestyle,ā āU.S.D.A., Pt. 2ā³
Dedication 2
Artist:Ā Lil Wayne (With DJ Drama)
Available on:Ā Spotify
Standout tracks:Ā āSportscenter,ā āWelcome to the Concrete Jungle,ā āSpitter,ā āWhere The Cash Atā
Separate But Equal
Artist:Ā Little Brother (With DJ Drama)
Available on:Ā Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music
Standout tracks:Ā āBoondock Saints,ā āSpeed Racin,ā āI Need You,ā āLet It Goā
Canāt Ban the Snowman
Artist:Ā Young Jeezy (With DJ Drama)
Available on:Ā Spotify, Tidal
Standout tracks:Ā āYa Dig,ā āJeezy the Snowman,ā āIām Back,ā āStudio Gangstersā
Down With the King: Gangsta Grillz
Artist:Ā T.I. (With DJ Drama)
Available on:Ā Spotify
Standout tracks:Ā āWelcome Back,ā ā99 Problems Freestyle,ā āJackinā for Beats,ā āFinal Fourā
So Far Gone
Artist:Ā Drake
Available On:Ā Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music
Standout tracks:Ā āSay Whatās Real,ā āBest I Ever Had,ā āSuccessful,ā āIgnorant Shit,ā āHoustatlantavegas,ā āUptown,ā āThe Calm,ā āCongratulationsā
How Fly
Artist:Ā Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y
Available on:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks:Ā āCar Service,ā āFly Niggas Do Fly Things,ā āDrunk Dialing,ā āHow Fly,ā āRollinā Upā
Kush & Orange Juice
Artist:Ā Wiz Khalifa
AvailableĀ on:Ā Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music
Standout tracks:Ā āThe Kid Frankie,ā āMezmorized,ā āVisions,ā āGood Dank,ā āGlass Houseā
The Marathon
Artist:Ā Nipsey Hussle
Available On:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks:Ā āBlue Laces,ā āA Million,ā āKeys to the City,ā āMac 11 on the Dresser,ā āI Dontā Give a Fucc,ā āMr. Untouchableā
Dreamchasers
Artist:Ā Meek Mill (With DJ Drama)
Available On:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks:Ā āIām a Boss,ā āDerrick Rose,ā āTony Story,ā āHouse Party,ā āMiddle of Da Summerā
Best Day Ever
Artist:Ā Mac Miller
Available on:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks:Ā āBest Day Ever,ā āDonald Trump,ā āIāll Be There,ā āKeep Floatinā,ā āOy Veyā
1999
Artist:Ā Joey Bada$$
Available On:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks:Ā āSurvival Tactics,ā āDaily Routine,ā āWorld Domination,ā āSnakes,ā āDonāt Frontā
Dreamchasers 2
Artist:Ā Meek Mill (With DJ Drama)
Available On:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks:Ā āReady or Not,ā āAmen,ā āA1 Everything,ā āEveryday,ā āRacked Up Shawty,ā āLean Wit Itā
Monster
Artist:Ā Future
Available On:Ā Tidal
Standout tracks:Ā āFuck Up Some Commas,ā āThrow Away,ā ā2Pac,ā āShowed Up,ā āCodeine Crazy,ā āAfter Thatā
Leave a Reply