1. Starlito – Insomnia Addict
Lito had a great year, releasing four quality solo projects and another full-length with Don Trip. This concept tape was a great way to finish the year off. On “Paranoia..Music (5:30am)” he offers up the tape’s thesis, “This is rap for no reason ‘cept to make me feel free”. That mindset doesn’t mean that this tape is a light affair though. Insomnia Addict is loaded with regrets, reservations, threats and tortured recollections. (Download)
2. Fabolous – The Soul Tape 3
Fab’s first two Soul Tapes established a brand that you could count on for rich production and bars that were playful and skilful. Fab is still largely a punch line rapper though, so you’re not getting any deeply insightful lyrics here. This project doesn’t feel like it’s an attempt to change the game or anything, it’s more of a laid-back tape. The beats live up to this series’ reputation though and you get to hear Fab going in over Drake’s “Paris Morton Music 2” on the tape’s opener. (Download)
3. Casey Veggies & Rockie Fresh – Fresh Veggies
I really liked Casey Veggies’ Life Changes tape that came out at the start of last year, I feel like he’s really grown a lot as a rapper over the past few years. His projects still have some inconsistencies, but when he picks a hot beat and really hits his flow, he can make some fresh music. On Fresh Veggies there are a pair of beats co-produced by Hit-Boy and Haze Banga (“I Been Workin’” and “Circle”) that absolutely bang. (Download)