A-Trak "Kanye's Soul Mix Show" (Mixtape, 2006)

Released in 2006, A-Trak states that “This was a mixtape Kanye’s team had me do for some Japanese label.” He describes the mixtape as “a collection of songs sampled, flipped my way, of course.” Before A-Track's status as an award winning DJ and successful executive, he was Kanye West's tour DJ. In a 2015 interview with Pitchfork, the Canadian native elaborates on how he gained the trust of Mr. West and became one of his most trusted ears for music and fashion. A-Trak has credits on a few of Kanye's biggest hits, like “Gold Digger”, “Stronger”, and “Robocop”. Narrated by Kanye himself, this mix is stacked Ye-produced classics from the early 2000s. The Fools Gold's founder flexes his scratching abilities over soulful samples from Nina Simone, Bobby "Blue" Bland, and a few others. From “Heart in the City” to “Through the Wire,” take a stroll down memory lane where you'll hear the original cuts from your favorite tracks. This soul mix is a must-listen for any lover of Kanye, samples, or good vibes only. Wish Kanye West a Happy Born Day, and listen below!

J.PERIOD "The Best Of Nas" (Mixtape, 2004)

J.PERIOD’s epic tribute to God’s Son is hosted by Nas himself and features exclusive interviews conducted by J.PERIOD, plus rare freestyles, previously unreleased tracks and J.PERIOD remixes. Featured in The Source "Hottest Mixtapes" at the time of its release, J.PERIOD's Best of Nas set a new standard for mixtapes, merging interview segments with Nas' own music to create a unique and unprecedented musical narrative. The Best Of Nas can also be credited for launching J.PERIOD's award-winning tribute series, which now boasts collaborations with GRAMMY winners Lauryn Hill, Q-Tip, The Roots, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, John Legend, and more. A must-have for any Nas fan. Updated, and there's also a 10th anniversary edition available, dig that up too. Listen below...

Freeway "Next" Feature in Vibe Magazine (June, 2002)

Freeway is ironing his jeans quietly, but he is anything but calm. He's in his room at the Time hotel in Manhattan prepping for his debut on BET's 106 & Park, where he and Beanie Sigel are scheduled to perform their breakout hit, "Roc the Mic." The Timberlands he requested are nowhere to be found, and Freeway, 23, is visibly upset... Born in West Philly, Freeway got his name because he moved keys through traffic. "There's a lot of people where I'm from who are Muslim and are caught up in the streets," he says. "In their hearts, they want to get themselves together, and that's the same situation that I fell into." Freeway's urgent rhyme style -- complete with occasional nods to the most high -- can be heard throughout the State Property album. Beanie Sigel's brainchild, State Property is a Philly crew that also includes rappers Oschino, Sparks, Young Chris, and Neef. "He ain't doing what everybody else is doing," says Roc-A-Fella CEO Jay-Z, who's backstage at the 106 & Park taping. Freeway's mentor, Beanie Sigel, has believed in him since they met at Philly's Dances Entertainment Center in 1997. "When I was about to sign with Roc-A-Fella," says Sigel, "I let Free know that, once I got my foot in the door, I'd come back and scoop him up. I didn't know if he believed me, but I got on, and everything was rollin'." It still is. Just as Freeway is about to go on stage, the Timbs arrive, and Jay-Z offers him some words of wisdom: "Lace your boots up -- get ready for war." That war may not always be righteous, but it will certainly be raw. - Vibe (6/02).

Tony Touch "Droppin' The Shit!" (Mixtape, 1999)

While I am not sure of the exact date of its release, the advertisement above was printed in the June 5, 1999 issue of Billboard Magazine. Tommy Boy Records released this promotional mixtape/compilation - by Tony Touch - in support of artists on their roster, including Defari, De La Soul, Diggin' In The Crates, Jigmastas, Natural Elements, Prince Paul, Royce Da 5'9, Diamonds In Da Ruff, Screwball, Tony Touch, and more. The tracks and freestyles included make for a nice mix, originally released on cassette, with a 2CD labeled the "North" disc and "South" disc and slightly different tracklists. After all of the rumblings of how Tommy Boy did De La Soul, it's "Tommy ain't my motherf#ckin' boy" over here, but I think it's some promo worth revisiting for the freestyle from Royce and Pos, as well as tracks from NE and others. "From North To South We Got Shit Locked!," it says... listen below. The original link went dead, so I've uploaded and updated the audio below...

Doo Wop "Spring One" (Mixtape, 1993)

Doo Wop's Spring One was released in 1993 via Tape Kingz. The mix tape kicks off with a freestyle from Doo Wop and The Bounce Squad, as well as Sadat X and Lord Tariq. It then goes into classic cuts from Jeru The Damaja, King Just, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Tha Dogg Pound, Ice Cube, Heavy D & The Boyz, SWV, Akinyele, Lady of Rage, Fat Joe, The Notorious B.I.G., Black Moon, De La Soul, LONS, Shyheim, Freddie Foxxx, Queen Latifah, Trends of Culture (remix!), and more! Props to DJ Step One.

Wu-Tang Clan "Wu-Tang Forever" (6/3/97)

The revolutionary course of hard-core rap took a sharp turn to the real in 1993. That year, the platinum debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), struck a strategic, genre expanding blow for the hip-hop nation. Eternally elevating the urban art-form, it justly propelled the Wu-Tang Clan to the apex of rap music. Now bonafide superstars, Staten Island’s Wu-warriors: Prince (The RZA) Rakeem, Raekwon, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, GhostFace Killah, Genius (GZA), U-God, Master Killa and Inspectah Deck, fearlessly return to rap’s forefront with Wu-Tang Forever, their aptly titled and much anticipated second Loud Records (enhanced double) CD. Produced by the RZA, the impressive album features the lethal lead single "Second Coming - Triumph," a sonic reflection of Wu’s cumulative vision, talent, skill and focus. Avowed students of the mental (or Shaolin) aspect of the martial arts and Islam, and rabid fans of kung-fu films, Wu once again attaches an Afro-Asiatic discipline to the art of rhyming. Drop kicking powerful, "Protect Ya Neck" (their first hit) type furor into the new mix, they push the lyrical envelope, plundering metaphorical gold mines in the process. "This is the bomb Wu-Tang record we wanted to make for years," advises Raekwon. "It not only gives the peeps more of what they already liked about us, it also takes us as a group, to the next level." Emphasizing the point, in addition to "…Triumph," other on target, off-the-hook cuts adding to Wu-Tang’s treacherous track record include: "Hellz Wind Staff," "Reunited," "Older Gods" and "MGM." Like a giant sponge, each track absorbs your brain cells into the group’s complex, multi-layered world of edgy Wu-Tang ghetto-speak. Once inside, shocking scenarios, inspired revelations, tragic truths and even wall-to-wall Wu-Tang insanity take over. It’s all delivered in Wu’s infamous, totally unpredictable, wild verbal combat style. "We’re comin’ off with the crazy n!@@a shit that can’t nobody touch," says Ol’ Dirty Bastard, whose confusing, effectively surreal 1996 "Fantasy" duet with mega-pop star Mariah Carey, is an example of how far Wu-Tang’s tentacles reach into music’s mainstream. Yet, they still maintain respect and support from real hard-core hip-hop heads, and do so without selling-out. If anything, the mainstream brought in. - Press Kit, 1997. Hit the tags for more & listen below...

Selecta Bam Bam "Old Skool Buttas" (Mixtape, 1994)

Selecta Bam Bam is known for his dancehall mix tapes, specifically combining hip-hop and dancehall records. His Old Skool Buttas mix tape is from 1994 and features a Reggae/Hip-Hop side with tracks from Buju Banton, Shabba Ranks, Tenor Saw, Red Foxx, Super Cat, Mad Lion, Louie Rankin, Kenny Dope, Patra, Nardo Ranks, Cutty Ranks and more. On the Dancehall side, Selecta Bam Bam hits us off with tracks from Johnny Osbourne, Wayne Wonder, Dawn Penn, Shabba Ranks, El General, Singing Sweet, Buju Banton, Cutty Ranks, Sasha, and a bunch more! Hear the Old Skool Buttas tape below...

DJ Fade "The Best Of DJ Premier" (Mixtape)

This is The Best of DJ Premier mixtape from DJ Fade. He's done a few Gang Starr-related mixes (CDs and DVDs) over the years, but this one runs through DJ Premier's classic production catalog. You'll hear tracks with The Notorious B.I.G., Jeru The Damaja, Nas, Group Home, Jay-Z, M.O.P., KRS-One, Shyheim, Showbiz & AG, Jermaine Dupri, and of course, Gang Starr. DJ Premier is the greatest of ALL-TIME! While it'd take a few mixtapes just to cover the classics, this is still a nice tribute. Dig up his other Gang Starr content for a lot more to fill in the gaps. Enjoy his Premo mixtape below...