D.L. & DJ Crossphader "What's Next On The Menu?" (Mixtape, 2001)

Another one from DJ Crossphader - presented by DL - What's Next On The Menu? in 2001. Like past posts, it's another hefty, double-cassette mix tape, filled with a ton of underground gems. More specifically, the mix tape features tracks from Jigmastas, Pharoahe Monch, Slum Village, Declaime, L-Fudge, All Natural, Mr. Voodoo, Dynasty, The Unspoken Heard, Yah Supreme, L Da Headtoucha, Common, Mr. Complex, J Dilla, Mike Zoot, Self Scientific, Kreators, Phife Dawg, Rise, E Rule, Wordsworth, Apathy, Grand Agent, Lootpack, Gauge and lots more. Dig into the mix below...

D.L. & DJ Crossphader "Another L.I. Groove" (Mixtape, 2000)

In 2000, DL presented DJ Crossphader's Another L.I. Groove double-cassette mix tape. If you're familiar with DL and Crossphader, you know they represented the underground at the time and that's reflected once again in this mixtape. Lots of underground, independent joints from Bumpy Knuckles, Jeru The Damaja, Mr. Voodoo, Cali Agents, J-Rawls, Missin Lix, Mr. Complex, De La Soul, Cella Dwellas, The Unspoken Heard, Reflection Eternal, Bahamadia, El Da Sensei, Big L, Dilated Peoples, Siah, Phat Kat, Al Tariq, Apathy, Easy Moe Bee, I.G. Off & Hazardous, and a whole lot more! Wanna hear a bunch of shit that was poppin' in the underground in 2000? Listen to the mix below...

DJ Crossphader "The Basement Experience" (Mixtape, 2000)

These double-cassette mix tapes from DL and DJ Crossphader are still hella niche, but who can't appreciate some dope indie backpack hip-hop shit from 2000? lol. They kicked the year off strong with The Basement Experience... the double mix features a ton of joints from artists like Common, Ran Reed, Reflection Eternal, De La Soul, Large Professor, Mass Influence, Dilated Peoples, Slum Village, L-Fudge, Freddie Foxxx, Black Thought, A.G., Cella Dwellas, Rascalz, Jigmastas, Mr. Complex, The Unspoken Heard, Mad Skillz, Gauge, I.G. Off & Hazardous, Louis Logic, Pharoahe Monch, Masta Ace, Screwball, B-1, Lone Catalysts and more. Dig into the archives for more, and listen below...

Eddie Ill & D.L. "Scenes Of The Underworld" (Mixtape, 1998)

When we talk about CLASSIC underground mixtapes, Eddie Ill & D.L. must be in the conversation. Always reppin' the best of independent, underground hip-hop, their double cassette tape release, "Scenes of the Underworld," has been championed since its release in 1998. The mix tape features cuts from Mr. Complex, Pumpkinhead, What? What? (Jean Grae), Basement Khemist, El Da Sensei, 7L & Esoteric, Brooklyn Academy, Choclair, Consequence, Saukrates, Craig G, Rasco, J-Treds, Medina Green, Lord Digga, Jigmastas, Thrust, High & Mighty, Lootpack, Missing Linx, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Dynasty, Ran Reed, Black Star, I.G. Off & Hazardous, Freddie Foxxx, Godfather Don, Screwball, B1, Company Flow, Masterminds and, somehow, even more! This takes me back to a time in NY that was very special to me. Dig in the archives for more... thanks to DC Avery for the updated audio below.

DJ Crossphader "The World Traveler" (Mixtape, 1999)

DL presented another banging underground tape in 1999 - this one is Chris Crossphader, The World Traveler. The mix tape includes a bunch of indie, gritty hip-hop from artists like Paw Duke, Godsunz, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Guru, Casual, Ran Reed, Severe, L-Fudge, Lone Catalysts, Unspoken Heard, Prince Po, Mass Influence, J-Live, Mos Def, Afu-Ra, The Last Emperor, MF Grimm, Grap Luva, Souls of Mischief, Talib Kweli, Encore, and lots more. Check the archives for more mixes, and listen below...

Eddie Ill & D.L. "A Trip Below" (Mixtape, 1998)

Eddie Ill & D.L. hit hard with their double-cassette mix tape release "A Trip Below" in 1998. Reppin' the underground; the subterraneous-independent scene with all its purity, this tape transports you back to a special time for me in NYC. The mix features freestyles and tracks from artists such as J-Live, Kwest Da Madd Ladd, N.O.T.S. Click & Big L, Skam & Eminem, Reflection Eternal, Mike Zoot, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Mass Influence, Mr. Voodoo, Saukrates, Choclair, Scienz Of Life, Natural Elements, Mad Skillz, Poison Pen, Breez Evahflowin', Arsonists, Scientifik, Rawcotiks, Jemini Da Gifted One, Indelible MCs, Adagio, Juggaknots and EVEN more! It oesn't get much better than this... listen below.

Eddie Ill & Dr. Dekay "Beats for Insomniacs" (Mixtape, 1998)

Classic tape, DL Presents: Eddie Ill & Dr. Dekay 'Beats for Insomniacs.' Released in 1998, this classic indie mixtape features joints from artists such as Natural Elements, Royce Da 5'9 and Eminem as Bad Meets Evil, Black Star, Mr. Live, L-Swift, K-Bomb, L-Fudge, Organized Konfusion, Common, El Da Sensei, Pumpkinhead (R.I.P.), The Last Emperor and lots more from the same cloth of independent hip-hop. Update 2025: The original link I had included got taken down, so I found another link available through Soundcloud - I haven't listened but hopefully the quality is on par with the first if you're just stumbling on this page years later. Hit the tags for other mixes from Eddie Ill & Dr. Dekay, as well as so much more. Many would call this the Fat Beats Era... I'm not mad at that feeling.

Eddie Ill & D.L. "Time Has Come" (Mixtape, 1999)

I thought I'd already posted this, but a keyword search turned up nothing. Oh well! It's never too late to revisit this ill mixtape from '99 from Eddie Ill & D.L., Time Has Come. The double-cassette mix tape features Prince Po, Mr. Complex, Percee P, Planet Asia, Saukrates, Sound Providers, Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, Jane Doe, Brooklyn Academy, Dead Poets Society, Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, Ed O.G., Supernatural, Phife, J-Treds, N.O.T.S. Click, The Last Emperor, Akrobatik, Defari, Moodswingaz, Declaime, Royal Flush and lots more! As always, follow the breadcrumbs! Updated audio links below...