While our official Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums list is still a week or so away, our hip-hop writers took a moment to consider which mixtapes turned heads this year. Whether a production showcase, a mission statement or just a collection of ideas too out-there to make an official LP tracklist, these were the mixtapes that got ample playtime from us in 2013.
Top 10 Rap Mixtapes of 2013:
10. Pusha T
Wrath of Caine
While Wrath of Caine is certainly no My Name is My Name, Pusha T's latest mixtape effort serves as a solid prelude to his debut solo album. Singles like "Blocka" and "Only You Can Tell It" offered a dose of the A-1 quality we've come to expect from Pusha Ton. (Jabbari Weekes)
9. Rapsody
She Got Game
She Got Game is an unapologetic account of being a rapper's rapper, and nothing else. Throughout the tape, the nostalgic and soulful production complements Rapsody's aggressive deliveries, re-contextualizing and emphasizing every word. Whether establishing her place in rap with "My Song" or displaying a raw grittiness on "Jedi Code" or "Batman," Rapsody proves once again that she's here to stay. (Erin Lowers)
8. Roc Marciano
The Pimpire Strikes Back
Madlib, Lord Finesse, Alchemist, Evidence — sounds like the calibre of producers you'd recruit for a freebie mixtape, no? New York's lackadaisical dirt-talker sticks to the script on the beautifully named Pimpire Strikes Back, thrusting his loyal following back into a cold world of Remy, revolvers and rasp. Trusty headphone anthems build for winter subway rides. (Luke Fox)
7. Harry Fraud
Adrift
Harry Fraud established himself as one of the hottest underground producers in New York City this year. After dropping collaborative projects with Curren$y, Smoke DZA, Action Bronson and Coke Boys, among others, his outtakes mixtape, Adrift, showcased the wavy-haired beatsmith's signature sound: elegant, hazy beats that sparkle without outshining his rhyme clients. (Peter Marrack)
6. The Underachievers
Lords of Flatbush/Indigoism
At the forefront of NYC's "Beast Coast" are psychedelic rappers the Underachievers, whose first mixtape was met with critical acclaim and for good reason: the duo's weird concoction of spirituality, substance abuse and rapid-fire wordplay made Indigoism a treat for golden-era hip hop heads and music lovers. Their follow up, Lords of Flatbush, shied away from the third eye allusions, allowing them to flex their lyrical versatility over Lex Luger-produced bangers, proving they are ones to watch for next year. (Jabbari Weekes)
5. Action Bronson
Blue Chips 2
On Blue Chips 2, Action Bronson brings listeners on an absurdist tour through his Queensbridge: exotic foods, backflips out the limo, drugs and guns stuffed into unusual places. Producer Party Supplies tweaks the radio dial while Bronson raps over Peter Gabriel, "Tequila" and Tracy Chapman. The most fun rap record of 2013. (Aaron Matthews)
4. Big K.R.I.T.
King Remembered in Time
With a legacy built on mixtapes, Big K.R.I.T.'s King Remembered in Time shows three things: growth, sincerity and focus. Whether illustrating his lyrical growth on tracks like "King Without a Crown" and "Meditate" or expanding his production styles on "R.E.M." and "How U Luv That," it's evident that K.R.I.T.'s eyes are fixated on the Southern Crown. (Erin Lowers)
3. Rich Kidd
In My Opinion
Toronto rapper/producer Rich Kidd has delivered his most complete solo album to date with In My Opinion. Self-produced and uniformly banging, In My Opinion sees Rich transition from braggadocio to meditation with ease. "My City" examines gentrification and poverty in the GTA, while Rich honestly self-reflects over DJ Dahi's swirling synths on "I'd Be Lying." (Aaron Matthews)
2. Vic Mensa
Innanetape
Though his good friend Chance the Rapper is justifiably getting a lot of attention for his Acid Rap mixtape, Vic Mensa makes an equally strong case on Innanetape. Jovial, jazzy and at times melancholy, Vic Mensa effortlessly and impressively taps into his emotional range with an endearingly ragged flow that jumps on and off the beat at will. And while he seems to downplay it, his achingly soulful singing voice might just be the trump card that elevates him to fulfilling his brimming potential. (Del Cowie)
1. Chance the Rapper
Acid Rap
A chain-smoky, lo-fi meander through the mind of a Lauryn Hill-loving 19-year-old, Acid Rap is the most soulful entrance to the Chicago rap world since College Dropout. As smartly placed as the guest spots from Twista, Ab-Soul and Childish Gambino are, it's Chancelor Bennett's Fat Lip-style charisma that carries the weight here. The kid with burn holes in his hoodie is going to be a star. (Luke Fox)
To see more of the best music of this year, head over to our Best of 2013 section.
Top 10 Rap Mixtapes of 2013:
10. Pusha T
Wrath of Caine
While Wrath of Caine is certainly no My Name is My Name, Pusha T's latest mixtape effort serves as a solid prelude to his debut solo album. Singles like "Blocka" and "Only You Can Tell It" offered a dose of the A-1 quality we've come to expect from Pusha Ton. (Jabbari Weekes)
9. Rapsody
She Got Game
She Got Game is an unapologetic account of being a rapper's rapper, and nothing else. Throughout the tape, the nostalgic and soulful production complements Rapsody's aggressive deliveries, re-contextualizing and emphasizing every word. Whether establishing her place in rap with "My Song" or displaying a raw grittiness on "Jedi Code" or "Batman," Rapsody proves once again that she's here to stay. (Erin Lowers)
8. Roc Marciano
The Pimpire Strikes Back
Madlib, Lord Finesse, Alchemist, Evidence — sounds like the calibre of producers you'd recruit for a freebie mixtape, no? New York's lackadaisical dirt-talker sticks to the script on the beautifully named Pimpire Strikes Back, thrusting his loyal following back into a cold world of Remy, revolvers and rasp. Trusty headphone anthems build for winter subway rides. (Luke Fox)
7. Harry Fraud
Adrift
Harry Fraud established himself as one of the hottest underground producers in New York City this year. After dropping collaborative projects with Curren$y, Smoke DZA, Action Bronson and Coke Boys, among others, his outtakes mixtape, Adrift, showcased the wavy-haired beatsmith's signature sound: elegant, hazy beats that sparkle without outshining his rhyme clients. (Peter Marrack)
6. The Underachievers
Lords of Flatbush/Indigoism
At the forefront of NYC's "Beast Coast" are psychedelic rappers the Underachievers, whose first mixtape was met with critical acclaim and for good reason: the duo's weird concoction of spirituality, substance abuse and rapid-fire wordplay made Indigoism a treat for golden-era hip hop heads and music lovers. Their follow up, Lords of Flatbush, shied away from the third eye allusions, allowing them to flex their lyrical versatility over Lex Luger-produced bangers, proving they are ones to watch for next year. (Jabbari Weekes)
5. Action Bronson
Blue Chips 2
On Blue Chips 2, Action Bronson brings listeners on an absurdist tour through his Queensbridge: exotic foods, backflips out the limo, drugs and guns stuffed into unusual places. Producer Party Supplies tweaks the radio dial while Bronson raps over Peter Gabriel, "Tequila" and Tracy Chapman. The most fun rap record of 2013. (Aaron Matthews)
4. Big K.R.I.T.
King Remembered in Time
With a legacy built on mixtapes, Big K.R.I.T.'s King Remembered in Time shows three things: growth, sincerity and focus. Whether illustrating his lyrical growth on tracks like "King Without a Crown" and "Meditate" or expanding his production styles on "R.E.M." and "How U Luv That," it's evident that K.R.I.T.'s eyes are fixated on the Southern Crown. (Erin Lowers)
3. Rich Kidd
In My Opinion
Toronto rapper/producer Rich Kidd has delivered his most complete solo album to date with In My Opinion. Self-produced and uniformly banging, In My Opinion sees Rich transition from braggadocio to meditation with ease. "My City" examines gentrification and poverty in the GTA, while Rich honestly self-reflects over DJ Dahi's swirling synths on "I'd Be Lying." (Aaron Matthews)
2. Vic Mensa
Innanetape
Though his good friend Chance the Rapper is justifiably getting a lot of attention for his Acid Rap mixtape, Vic Mensa makes an equally strong case on Innanetape. Jovial, jazzy and at times melancholy, Vic Mensa effortlessly and impressively taps into his emotional range with an endearingly ragged flow that jumps on and off the beat at will. And while he seems to downplay it, his achingly soulful singing voice might just be the trump card that elevates him to fulfilling his brimming potential. (Del Cowie)
1. Chance the Rapper
Acid Rap
A chain-smoky, lo-fi meander through the mind of a Lauryn Hill-loving 19-year-old, Acid Rap is the most soulful entrance to the Chicago rap world since College Dropout. As smartly placed as the guest spots from Twista, Ab-Soul and Childish Gambino are, it's Chancelor Bennett's Fat Lip-style charisma that carries the weight here. The kid with burn holes in his hoodie is going to be a star. (Luke Fox)
To see more of the best music of this year, head over to our Best of 2013 section.
