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 genre’s 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-changing So Far Gone 10 years ago this week and nothing has been the same since. With hit records like “Best I Ever Had” and “Successful,” the critically acclaimed project plays like an 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 “40” Shebib. In honor of So Far Gone’s 10th anniversary, the 6ix God blessed fans who’ve previously only had access to an abbreviated EP version of the classic mixtape by liberating it in its totality, making it available on major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal.
Drake joins a growing list of artists who have made their mixtapes available for mass consumption. Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y have also reintroduced a classic mixtape recently. Currently on the joint 2009 tour, the “Rolling Up” tandem streamed their 2009 collaboration How Fly for the first time earlier this month. Wiz’s cult-classic, Kush & OJ, as well as other gems from his catalogue have also popped up on streaming services over the years.
Here, XXL 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: Roc-A-Fella Records
Available on: Tidal
Standout tracks: “Champions,” “Don’t You Know,” “One For Peedi Crack,” “Roc Army”
50 Cent Is the Future
Artist: G-Unit
Available on: Spotify
Standout tracks: “U Should Be Here,” “Bump Dat Street Mix,” “The Banks Workout,” “G-Unit Soldiers,” “Bad News,” “G-Unit That’s What’s Up!”
God’s Plan
Artist: G-Unit (With DJ Whoo Kid)
Available on: Spotify, Apple Music
Standout tracks: “Catch Me in the Hood,” “If Dead Men Could Talk,” “Banks Workout Part 2,” “187 Yayo,” “Minds Playing Tricks,” “Niggas”
The S. Carter Collection
Artist: Jay-Z
Available on: Tidal
Standout tracks: “Young, Black & Gifted Freestyle,” “Pump It Up Freestyle,” “Beware”
Trap or Die
Artist: Young Jeezy (With DJ Drama)
Available on: Spotify, Tidal
Standout tracks: “Trap or Die,” “Get Ya Mind Right,” “We Luv Ya,” “3-6 Freestyle,” “U.S.D.A., Pt. 2″
Dedication 2
Artist: Lil Wayne (With DJ Drama)
Available on: Spotify
Standout tracks: “Sportscenter,” “Welcome to the Concrete Jungle,” “Spitter,” “Where The Cash At”
Separate But Equal
Artist: Little Brother (With DJ Drama)
Available on: Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music
Standout tracks: “Boondock Saints,” “Speed Racin,” “I Need You,” “Let It Go”
Can’t Ban the Snowman
Artist: Young Jeezy (With DJ Drama)
Available on: Spotify, Tidal
Standout tracks: “Ya Dig,” “Jeezy the Snowman,” “I’m Back,” “Studio Gangsters”
Down With the King: Gangsta Grillz
Artist: T.I. (With DJ Drama)
Available on: Spotify
Standout tracks: “Welcome Back,” “99 Problems Freestyle,” “Jackin’ for Beats,” “Final Four”
So Far Gone
Artist: Drake
Available On: Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music
Standout tracks: “Say What’s Real,” “Best I Ever Had,” “Successful,” “Ignorant Shit,” “Houstatlantavegas,” “Uptown,” “The Calm,” “Congratulations”
How Fly
Artist: Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y
Available on: Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks: “Car Service,” “Fly Niggas Do Fly Things,” “Drunk Dialing,” “How Fly,” “Rollin’ Up”
Kush & Orange Juice
Artist: Wiz Khalifa
Available on: Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music
Standout tracks: “The Kid Frankie,” “Mezmorized,” “Visions,” “Good Dank,” “Glass House”
The Marathon
Artist: Nipsey Hussle
Available On: Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks: “Blue Laces,” “A Million,” “Keys to the City,” “Mac 11 on the Dresser,” “I Dont’ Give a Fucc,” “Mr. Untouchable”
Dreamchasers
Artist: Meek Mill (With DJ Drama)
Available On: Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks: “I’m a Boss,” “Derrick Rose,” “Tony Story,” “House Party,” “Middle of Da Summer”
Best Day Ever
Artist: Mac Miller
Available on: Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks: “Best Day Ever,” “Donald Trump,” “I’ll Be There,” “Keep Floatin’,” “Oy Vey”
1999
Artist: Joey Bada$$
Available On: Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks: “Survival Tactics,” “Daily Routine,” “World Domination,” “Snakes,” “Don’t Front”
Dreamchasers 2
Artist: Meek Mill (With DJ Drama)
Available On: Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
Standout tracks: “Ready or Not,” “Amen,” “A1 Everything,” “Everyday,” “Racked Up Shawty,” “Lean Wit It”
Monster
Artist: Future
Available On: Tidal
Standout tracks: “Fuck Up Some Commas,” “Throw Away,” “2Pac,” “Showed Up,” “Codeine Crazy,” “After That”
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