Nipsey Hussle – Crenshaw
This tape got a lot of attention when Nipsey decided to sell copies of the project for $100 a pop. Supposedly Jay-Z bought a bundle of them. I understand that this guy is one of the last authentic street rappers in the game, but I’m not feeling this tape. For all of the hype it’s pretty generic. (Download)
Game – OKE
For the record, I’m not someone who trashes Game’s music. The Documentary was one of the first rap albums I ever owned and he’s had a ton of great hits over his career. But OKE is just a weak project. I don’t have any desire to hear Game rapping over ratchet Bay beats, he’s never been a party rapper who could sound comfortable over something like that. (Download)
Lil’ Durk – Signed To The Streets
Another GBE soldier has released a tape, this time it’s Lil’ Durk who has a slightly more melodic take on Chicago drill rap. There are a few hot beats on here, and I definitely enjoy his project more than most drill mixtapes, but Durk’s bars are still lacking. (Download)
Waka Flocka Flame – From Roaches to Rollies
Waka has never been one for quality control (This is his third tape of 2013). There is a line between keeping your name in the front of people’s minds and watering down your product. I think rappers are starting to learn that you don’t have to put out a tape every few months to stay relevant (Danny Brown and Kendrick Lamar being recent examples of this). (Download)
Cam’ron – Ghetto Heaven Vol. 1
This tape is a good look for Cam, he’s not rapping at Purple Haze levels but now that he’s cut ties with Vado, he should be more able to focus on getting some shine back on his solo career. (Download)
Chief Keef – Almighty So
I’ve never been a Keef fan, but at least when “Don’t Like” popped off, he seemed angry and somewhat driven. Now that he’s getting checks, his music has become even more sloppy. On Almighty So, Sosa somehow puts even less effort into his lyrics. (Download)
Snoop Dogg – That’s My Work 2
This is a confusing tape. It features a sloppy combination of the type of party music Snoop has given us over the past few years, plus more Snoop Lion, Snoopzilla (he’s making funk music now too), and surprisingly gangster rapping-about-killing-people-again Snoop. (Download)