Rapsody – She Got Game
Easily the most impressive tracklist of the month, She Got Game has guest verses from Raekwon, Chance The Rapper, Mac Miller, Wale, Phone, Common, and Jay Electronica (among many others) and beats by 9th Wonder, Eric G, DJ Premier, and Ka (among others). As can be expected from that lineup, the tape is retro-sounding and warmly soulful. Rapsody is clearly talented and you can hear her talent as a writer but her bars could benefit from some added spontaneity and looseness. On “Lonely Thoughts” Chance The Rapper uses his verse to bounce between flows, sing for a bit and freestyle about the phone he’s rhyming off of when it rings in the booth. That kind of organic entertainment is something Rapsody should strive for. This tape is easily worth downloading though, if nothing else, how can you pass on seven new 9th Wonder beats. (Download)
Blitz The Ambassador – The Warm Up EP
Blitz The Ambassador is a New York rapper hailing from Ghana (of course, there is a Coming to America sample on this mixtape). He blends a loose old school style of flows and breaks (reminiscent of Shad) with more global sounds. He also brings through a few other African rappers, including a dude named Sarkodie who bodies “Internationally Known”. This is one of the most interesting and entertaining tapes I’ve heard this year, I’m looking forward to hearing what Blitz delivers next. (Download)
Cobe Obeah – Song of the Starz: DARK NIGHT
The first thing I heard from this kid was his single “Have Mercy”, which he dropped a couple of months ago. That song is incredible and is the highlight of Song of the Starz. It features a killer sample, a slick flow and original lyrics. Parts of the tape echo the greatness of “Have Mercy” (like the track “Roamin’ With Romans” and the Florence + The Machine sample on “Dark Night”). His lyrical quality is inconsistent though but the tape is worth checking out. (Download)
Willie The Kid – Aquamarine
Willie The Kid is releasing an incredible amount of good music in 2013 (this is the third time one of his tapes has appeared in this column). The way he plays around with imagery and lyrics on “Goodness Gracious” is impressive. That track also features a laid-back Smoke DZA guest-verse. Willie has a talent for bars that are lyrical without being overwrought. (Download)