Nicklist #4: Five Songs from Free Rap Albums & Mixtapes

One of the coolest things about the internet is the evolution of the “free album.”  It’s become such a common part of the current musical setting that it’s something a lot of us take for granted, but before the internet it was relatively impossible to distribute something for free, unless you were already a popular artist.  A genre that has embraced the internet is hip-hop music.  In between official releases for labels, artists of all popularity – from the mainstream to the underground – release free mixtapes online.  It’s an easy way to give fans something new, and an easy way to get stuff distributed without much trouble.

Today’s Nicklist features five songs from great rap/hip-hop mixtapes (with links to download said mixtapes).  Keep in mind that this isn’t a list of the best songs from mixtapes of all time – just stuff I’ve personally enjoyed.  And if you have any mixtape recommendations, leave a comment!

1.) “Us Placers” – CRS (from Kanye West’s Can’t Tell Me Nothing mixtape)

This is one of my favorite rap songs due to the sample alone (“Eraser” by Thom Yorke) and it’s used so well in the song.  Sometimes I hear rap songs that utilize samples in the wrong way and end up sounding boring or repetitive because of it, and this is song is the best example of something that just works.  It doesn’t hurt to have some of the best mainstream rappers (Kanye, Pharell Williams and Lupe Fiasco) on the track, either.  Lupe actually produced this track as part of what was going to be a mixtape with samples from Thom Yorke and Radiohead songs.  Sadly that project never manifested and it ended up appearing on Kanye’s Can’t Tell Me Nothing mixtape instead.

2.) “Free My Soul” – Big K.R.I.T. (from his Return of 4eva album)

Big K.R.I.T. is one of the most talented up and coming rappers (and an incredible producer in his own right).  His mixtape, Return of 4eva, is one of the better rap releases of the past few years.  It’s a 21 song beast that ranges from emotionally deep tracks one like this to club/party bangers.  “Free My Soul,” like “Us Placers,” also benefits from a great beat.  It’s one of the most unique rap beats I’ve heard in a long time, and it connects on an emotional level in a way that a lot of rap songs fail to do.

3.) “Strawberry Swing” – Frank Ocean (from his Nostalgia/Ultra mixtape)

Alright, so this isn’t technically a rap mixtape – it’s more R&B – but since Frank Ocean is probably the most unique member of rap collective OFWGKTA, I felt like it was worth it to put him on this list.  “Strawberry Swing” utilizes a Coldplay instrumental.  Although Frank’s vocal melody is similar to Chris Martin’s, his soothing voice fits so well with the music that it’s kind of hard to believe that this was a Coldplay song first and not Frank’s.  I definitely can’t wait to hear some original music from Ocean.  His music has a lot of promise, and he could definitely end up being huge at some point.

4.) “theGods&me” – Blu (from TheGodleeBarnesLP)

Blu was immediately enjoyable to me from the first time I heard him.  His musical style reminds me a bit of early 2000′s Kanye and Common, and his flow is kind of old-school.   This particular mixtape has fairly bad sound quality, unintentionally.  Apparently these were the only tracks available – the more finalized ones were lost somehow.  The lo-fi sound kind of works with the songs, although it’d be cool to hear a remastered version somehow.

5.) “Lights Turned On” – Childish Gambino (from his EP)

This is probably my favorite song of 2011 so far, and I mentioned as much when I reviewed this EP for my blog a few weeks back.  It’s driving synth beat is catchy and danceable, and lyrically it’s impressive as well.  It’s a great showcase of Childish Gambino’s underrated singing skills as well.  There’s also a Lil B shout-out, which makes it even better.  Definitely check this EP out if you haven’t already.