18 Classic Hip-Hop Mixtapes That You Can Stream Right Now

Written by 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-changingĀ So Far GoneĀ 10 years ago this week and nothing has been the same since. With hit records likeĀ ā€œBest I Ever Hadā€Ā and ā€œSuccessful,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 ā€œ40ā€ Shebib. In honor ofĀ So Far Gone’s 10th anniversary, the 6ix God blessed fans who’veĀ 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 ā€œRolling Upā€ tandem streamed their 2009 collaborationĀ How FlyĀ for the first time earlier this month. Wiz’s 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

2002

Artist:Ā Roc-A-Fella Records

Available on:Ā Tidal

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œChampions,ā€ ā€œDon’t You Know,ā€ ā€œOne For Peedi Crack,ā€ ā€œRoc Armyā€

50 Cent Is the Future

2002

Artist:Ā G-Unit

Available on:Ā Spotify

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œUĀ Should Be Here,ā€ ā€œBump Dat Street Mix,ā€ ā€œThe Banks Workout,ā€ ā€œG-Unit Soldiers,ā€ ā€œBad News,ā€ ā€œG-Unit That’s What’s Up!ā€

God’s Plan

2002

Artist:Ā G-Unit (With DJ Whoo Kid)

Available on:Ā Spotify, Apple Music

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œCatch Me in the Hood,ā€ ā€œIf Dead Men Could Talk,ā€ ā€œBanks Workout Part 2,ā€ ā€œ187 Yayo,ā€ ā€œMinds Playing Tricks,ā€ ā€œNiggasā€

The S. Carter Collection

2003

Artist:Ā Jay-Z

Available on:Ā Tidal

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œYoung, Black & Gifted Freestyle,ā€ ā€œPump It Up Freestyle,ā€ ā€œBewareā€

 

Trap or Die

2005

Artist:Ā Young Jeezy (With DJ Drama)

Available on:Ā Spotify, Tidal

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œTrap or Die,ā€ ā€œGet Ya Mind Right,ā€ ā€œWe Luv Ya,ā€ ā€œ3-6 Freestyle,ā€ ā€œU.S.D.A., Pt. 2″

Dedication 2

2006

Artist:Ā Lil Wayne (With DJ Drama)

Available on:Ā Spotify

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œSportscenter,ā€ ā€œWelcome to the Concrete Jungle,ā€ ā€œSpitter,ā€ ā€œWhere The Cash Atā€

Separate But Equal

2006

Artist:Ā Little Brother (With DJ Drama)

Available on:Ā Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œBoondock Saints,ā€ ā€œSpeed Racin,ā€ ā€œI Need You,ā€ ā€œLet It Goā€

Can’t Ban the Snowman

2006

Artist:Ā Young Jeezy (With DJ Drama)

Available on:Ā Spotify, Tidal

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œYa Dig,ā€ ā€œJeezy the Snowman,ā€ ā€œI’m Back,ā€ ā€œStudio Gangstersā€

Down With the King: Gangsta Grillz

2006

Artist:Ā T.I. (With DJ Drama)

Available on:Ā Spotify

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œWelcome Back,ā€ ā€œ99 Problems Freestyle,ā€ ā€œJackin’ for Beats,ā€ ā€œFinal Fourā€

So Far Gone

2009

Artist:Ā Drake

Available On:Ā Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œSay What’s Real,ā€ ā€œBest I Ever Had,ā€ ā€œSuccessful,ā€ ā€œIgnorant Shit,ā€ ā€œHoustatlantavegas,ā€ ā€œUptown,ā€ ā€œThe Calm,ā€ ā€œCongratulationsā€

How Fly

2009

Artist:Ā Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y

Available on:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œCar Service,ā€ ā€œFly Niggas Do Fly Things,ā€ ā€œDrunk Dialing,ā€ ā€œHow Fly,ā€ ā€œRollin’ Upā€

Kush & Orange Juice

2010

Artist:Ā Wiz Khalifa

AvailableĀ on:Ā Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œThe Kid Frankie,ā€ ā€œMezmorized,ā€ ā€œVisions,ā€ ā€œGood Dank,ā€ ā€œGlass Houseā€

The Marathon

2010

Artist:Ā Nipsey Hussle

Available On:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œBlue Laces,ā€ ā€œA Million,ā€ ā€œKeys to the City,ā€ ā€œMac 11 on the Dresser,ā€ ā€œI Dont’ Give a Fucc,ā€ ā€œMr. Untouchableā€

Dreamchasers

2011

Artist:Ā Meek Mill (With DJ Drama)

Available On:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œI’m a Boss,ā€ ā€œDerrick Rose,ā€ ā€œTony Story,ā€ ā€œHouse Party,ā€ ā€œMiddle of Da Summerā€

Best Day Ever

2011

Artist:Ā Mac Miller

Available on:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œBest Day Ever,ā€ ā€œDonald Trump,ā€ ā€œI’ll Be There,ā€ ā€œKeep Floatin’,ā€ ā€œOy Veyā€

1999

2012

Artist:Ā Joey Bada$$

Available On:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œSurvival Tactics,ā€ ā€œDaily Routine,ā€ ā€œWorld Domination,ā€ ā€œSnakes,ā€ ā€œDon’t Frontā€

Dreamchasers 2

2012

Artist:Ā Meek Mill (With DJ Drama)

Available On:Ā Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œReady or Not,ā€ ā€œAmen,ā€ ā€œA1 Everything,ā€ ā€œEveryday,ā€ ā€œRacked Up Shawty,ā€ ā€œLean Wit Itā€

Monster

2015

Artist:Ā Future

Available On:Ā Tidal

Standout tracks:Ā ā€œFuck Up Some Commas,ā€ ā€œThrow Away,ā€ ā€œ2Pac,ā€ ā€œShowed Up,ā€ ā€œCodeine Crazy,ā€ ā€œAfter Thatā€


Leave a Reply


JAKE RADIO

Todays Hits

Current track

Title

Artist

Current show

THE RADIO PLUG

5:00 am 9:00 am

Background