DJ Soul "THINK B.I.G." (Mix, 2017)

On March 10, 2017, DJ Soul recorded a tribute mix for The Notorious B.I.G. mix on Q-Tip's Beats1 radio show, "Abstract Radio." The mix consists of all original material that B.I.G. recorded when he was alive - demos, freestyles, B-sides, original version of album cuts, singles as well as original samples. It's roughly two hours long and was released today by DJ Soul. You can't go wrong with another Biggie mix, so click play and enjoy one of the best to ever do it.... Rest In Peace, B.I.G.

DJ Soul "Big Pun Tribute Mix" (Mixtape, 2011)

This mixtape was originally scheduled to drop in 2010 around the 10-year anniversary of Big Pun's passing, with iTunes profits going towards his family. Instead, DJ Soul released his Big Pun Tribute mix in 2011, featuring 35 tracks of unreleased, remixed and classic Big Pun. Everyone who grew up listening to Pun should already be up on these records, but this tribute is more of a celebration of the life of Christopher "Big Pun" Rios. It's a bit discouraging to me that Big Pun's name isn't more widely considered when discussing the greatest lyricists of all-time. His natural skill and charisma on the microphone made him an inimitable force. The first Latin rapper to go Platinum, Big Pun was a special artist. Big Pun would've celebrated his 47th birthday today! May he Rest In Peace. Props to Pun's son, Chris Rivers, for carrying on his legacy. Enjoy DJ Soul's Big Pun Tribute Mix below... 

Just Blaze & DJ Soul "Casino" (Mix, 2015)

"Soon you'll understand" is the message included by Just Blaze and DJ Soul with their mix entitled "Casino" in 2015. At the time of its release, the pair had been spinning together in New York City for a minute, and the mix showcased an hour's worth of classic hip-hop, R&B, and hidden gems. It's been a while, but I believe the story behind the mix was to hype an upcoming sneaker that Just was gonna reveal that drew inspiration from Scorsese​'s movie Casino. I don't follow sneaker culture too closely, so for me, it was about the music and today, I thought we'd revisit this fine mix of tracks from Main Source, Nas, Big L, Big Pun, Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, Kool G Rap & more. High rollers, dig in...

DJ Soul "Frozen Files" (Mix, 2010)

The Frozen Files was a show on East Village Radio run by Matty C and Schott Free, known through Loud Records and Matty C was influential over at The Source (Unsigned Hype), too. This live guest mix features DJ Soul, who ran through joints from Roc Marciano, The Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, Redman, Mobb Deep, McGruff, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Black Moon, Cocoa Brovaz, Big Pun and more. The show originally aired on June 30, 2010, but I came across it in a random folder, so decided to revisit it today - thankfully it's already posted to Mixcloud, via DJ Soul. 

DJ Soul "Assorted Donuts" (Tribute To J Dilla Mix, 2007)

DJ Soul teamed up with ?uestlove’s website Okayplayer in 2007 to drop a tribute mix to the late great J Dilla aka Jay Dee. Originally DJ Soul was remixing tracks off of Donuts but when Kweli gave him his freestyle over an unreleased Dilla track and mysteriously received a Notorious B.I.G. remix that Dilla had personally done, it turned into a bigger project. The rest is history. Enjoy a tribute to a legend, and celebrate the life of James Yancey - R.I.P., J Dilla. Listen to Assorted Donuts below...

DJ Soul "Common: Time Travelin" (Mixtape, 2011)

In 2011, in advance of Common's release of "The Dreamer, The Believer," DJ Soul and OkayPlayer joined forces to release this quality mix. It features a variety of rarities, remixes and lots of classic cuts from Common's back catalog. At some point, fans are going to have to give this Chicago MC his flowers, because he's had an incredible career: in and out of music. Yes, he's had a miss or two, but he comes back stronger every time. He's an album-based artist with deep roots in all the elements in the culture of Hip-Hop. I've seen him at the biggest award shows and right home at Fat Beats, you gotta support that. Enjoy this mix of Common joints, mixed by DJ Soul: download/stream below...

DJ Soul "3 Da Hard Way" (Mixtape, 1999)

Released around 1999-2000, this mix tape from DJ Soul is a dope Tape Kingz release that featured a really great selection of tracks from Rakim, Common, Pharoahe Monch, M.O.P., Big L, Mos Def, Missin' Linx, The Beatnuts, O.C., Fat Joe, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Kool G Rap, Freddie Foxxx, Kurupt, Raekwon, Choclair, Gang Starr, 50 Cent, Big Noyd, and lots more. Props again to DJStepOne. Dig in...