Mixtape Monday: New Mixtapes f. Common x DJ Treats, Sade, Houston Rap Tapes + More

Cover by Chance Paperboy.

On this week's Mixtape Monday, we've got a handful of mixtapes marking milestones in hip-hop and soul. We have DJ Treats jumping things off with an exclusive mixtape dedicated to one of Chicago's finest, Common who returned with a vengeance on his new album Nobody's Smiling--and hit the 1# spot on Billboard's hip-hop/r&b charts! Next up we have a comprehensive compilation of Sade, who celebrated the 30th anniversary of her debut LP Diamond Life a few days ago. Coast to coast and then down to the Gulf of Mexcio, Lance Scott Walker shows us the range of '90s Houston hip-hop with Houston Rap Tapes. And more joints are in the mixtape monday pipeline, because it's monday all day...

DJ Treatshas dropped an OKP Exclusive in the form of Com Rules Everything Around Me, a raw and seamless mix focused on Common. Here's DJ Treats in speaking about the project in his own words:

Common might be the only rapper I know to only do hip-hop at one speed—100. Compared to his public persona, Common's laid back demeanor is a 180 degree turn from his high energy performances in the booth, or on stage. That approach is akin to how I DJ. The majority of my mixes, whether using turntables, or mixing on-the-go with my iPhone, is always in one take. The result is a seamless one-track dive into whatever I feel at the moment. In this case, I combed through Common's catalog of bangers dating back to when he intro'd with Can I Borrow A Dollar? I wanted to give you that feeling of Common blazing through all his hits as if you were at his concert, or if I was spinning at his album release party. Speaking of which, this reminds me of that time when I deejayed Common's celebration party for Be, that XXL magazine sponsored, because they gave him the coveted 5 mic rating. I had the chance to play a lot of the hits leading up to this next pivotal moment in Common's already legendary career. As the night played on, I would be joined by Common, Kanye West, and John Legend in the DJ booth. They talked to the crowd; Common performed a verse from "The Corner," and Kanye freestyled over Amerie's "One Thing" instrumental (despite his frustration with me for playing the TV track... #kanyeshrug). It was a magical night for rap that I channeled throughout this hour-long tribute to Chi-Town's finest.  

>>>Download DJ Treats - Common Rules Everything Around Me (via WeTransfer)

Whether or not you've got Sade in your tape deck, this collection of 'remixes, instrumentals, unreleased and rare tracks' will hit your spot. And if you can remember when her debut album Diamond Life took the world by (quiet) storm, it'll make you feel old...or maybe young again.

>>>Stream Sade Rarities mix (via tape.ly)

As a companion to his Houston Rap Tapes (read a book, you illiterate sominabishes) Lance Scott Walker has released a mix that is the perfect intro to 90's Houston hip-hop. Check the tracklist and stream below.

Tracklist

Bayou Pigs — “Rise Up” (1989)

Scarface — “A Minute To Pray And A Second To Die” (1991)

UGK — “Short Texas” (1992)

DJ Screw — “Blow Dem Hoes Up (The Terrorists)” (1991/1996)

Fesu — “‪Scariest M.F. Gonna Shoot” (1994)‬

Criminal Elament — “Hit ‘Em Where It Hurt” (1994)

5th Ward Boyz — “Concrete Hell” (1995)

Poetic Souls — “Too Much TV” (1992)

Mr. 3-2 — “My Sweet Trick” (1996)

Big Mike — “World Of Mind” (1994)

Wreckless Klan (Point Blank, Ice Lord, PSK-13) — “I Wish” (1996)

Big Mello ft. Black Nat — “Flossin’” (1996)

For better or worse, the old "golden age of hip-hop" debate will never end. If there ever was such a thing, though, 1994 is without a doubt a year that shines brighter than most. The powers that be over at Dazed & Confused have kept it '94 on this mix, supplying 94 minutes of raw and rattling material straight from the year in question. The Nas hits early, the West coast represents, and Redman closes out the whole affair. Even after 20 years, it's hard to top this vintage sound. Catch up with the Clinton era below.

Tracklist:

O.C – "Time’s Up"

Nas – "NY State of Mind"

The Crooklyn Dodgers – "Crooklyn"

Smif n’ Wessun – "Bucktown"

Redman ft. Keith Murray & Erick Sermon – "Cosmic Slop"

Notorious B.I.G – "Warning (feat rare acapella drop)"

Method Man – "What the Blood Clot"

Jeru the Damja – "Jungle Music"

A Tribe Called Quest ft. Busta Rhymes – "Oh My God"

De La Soul – "Ego Trippin’ Part 2"

Beastie Boys – "Get It Together"

Gang Starr – "Comin’ For Datazz"

House of Pain – "I’ma Swing It"

Wreckz n’ Effect – "Rumpshaker"

Outkast – "Player’s Ball"

Da Youngstas – "Put Me On"

Da Brat – "Funkdafied"

Common – "I Used to Love H.E.R"

Ice Cube – "You Know How We Do It (Remix)"

The Lady of Rage – "Afro Puffs"

Snoop Dogg – "21 Jumpstreet"

Warren G – "Regulate"

Scarface – "Hand of the Dead Body"

The Roots – "The Lesson Pt 1"

Lords of the Underground – "Yes Y’all"

Da Bush Babees – "Clear My Throat"

Gravediggaz – "Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide"

Coolio – "It Takes A Thief"

Craig Mack – "Flava in Ya Ear (Remix)"

Buckshot Lefonque – "Breakfast at Denny’s (Uptown Version)"

Group Home - "Supa Dupa Star (1994 Demo version)"

Pete Rock & CL Smooth – "In the House"

Ahmad – "Back in the Day (remix)"

Keith Murray – "The Most Beautifullest Thing in the World (Green Eyed Bandit remix)"

Redman – "Rockafella R.I.P"

Close your eyes and imagine yourself drifting back to yesterday. That's the intended vibe with the new Record Breakin Music Sound Traveler mixtape, compiled by cuurlzzz and driven by the mindset that at least one day per week should be devoted to relaxing with the sounds that soothe you. The vibe here is a restorative one, with Evil Needle's "Assembly" and Shigeto's "Olivia" drawing you out into the sepia-tinged sunset that no daydream is complete without. Maybe #MixtapeSundays isn't such a bad idea...

Tracklist:

Brigitte Fontaine - "Comme a la radio"

Black Milk feat Robert Glasper & Dwele - "Sonny Jr. (Dreams)"

Asha Puthli - "Space Talk"

Evil Needle - "Assembly"

Doris - "You Never Come Closer"

Sylvia Striplin - "You Can't Turn My Away"

Like - "LoungeRoom"

Giraffage - "LUV"

Mos Def - "Ms. Fat Booty (Scientific Remix)"

MF Love - "Melody 7"

Flaunt Edwards - "Stevie Batucada (Flaunt Edwards Edit)"

The Breathing Effect - "Daydream Prison"

Shigeto - "Olivia"

Extra Medium - "Tonight (Instrumental)"

Devonwho - "Wilts"

Curtis Mayfield - "Give Me Your Love"

Janko Nilovic & Dave Sucky - "In The Space"

Mixtape gentleman and scholar Jon Oliver has kept his top-grade series "The Main Ingredient" going strong for five years now, and his sets have never gone stale. This week's rollout of choice cuts features the likes of Mr. Scruff, Slum Village, a new joint from Tittsworth and Q-Tip, and the streetlights-through-smoke Anthony Valadez remix of "Bottom Line" from our dearly beloved Electric Wire Hustle.

The new EWH material sits in perfectly amongst Oliver's amalgam of space and bass-driven tracks, and only has us all the more excited for their new full length LP to drop at the end of summer. Electric Wire Hustle's newest joint, "Look In The Sky" arrived last week and can be purchased for keeps on iTunes here. Also up for grabs is the Afrobeat-infused single "By & Bye."

FKA Twigs – "Pendulum"

Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra – "Kung Fu"

FKJ (French Kiwi Juice) – "Open the Door"

Electric Wire Hustle – Bottom Line (Antvala remix)

Disclosure – "Latch (The Melker Project remix)"

[Re:Jazz] – "At First Glance (ft. Mediha) (Opolopo remix)"

Little Dragon – "Only One"

Cormega – "D.U.(Dream Unity) (ft. Nature)"

Open Mike Eagle – "Thirsty Ego Raps"

Jungle – "Lucky I Got What I Want

Miles bonny – "Always On My Phone (Clean Plate remix)"

Amerigo gazaway – "Modern Marvel pt. ii"

The Elder Statesman – "Montreux Sunrise"

Pixelord – "Tumblr Girl (Original Mix)"

Ed motta – "Farmer’s Wife"

Mr. scruff – "Feel Free"

Stanley cowell – "I’m Tryin’ To Find A Way"

Jim-e stack – "Reassuring"

Todd osborn – "November"

Body language – "Infinite Sunshine"

Shaolin afronauts – "All Who Pass By"

Miles tackett – "Release Me"

The relatives – "Leave Something Worthwhile"

Ngaiire – "Around"

Chris turner – "Believe (A Song For Amour)"

Kimekai (Pronounced Kim) – "Calico"

Fractures – "Won’t Win (Japanese Wallpaper Remix)"

(Photo: Mattie Krall)

Minneapolis is home to a grip of great producers, and Big Cats is quickly rising as the best of them all. Aka Spencer Wirth-Davis, the landlocked beatmaker is tied tight to Toki Wright and has built up a steady stream of sound that displays his love of faraway sounds and futuristic thinking. Don't be fooled, though--his hip-hop hits hard and heavy.

Big Cats's newest mix, "Island Universes," a 38-piece puzzle of a tape that features heavy manipulation from the Minnesotan at every turn. The man himself was kind enough to elaborate for us on his approach:

Blending a wide range of artists, as well as original tracks, remixes, and edits, the mix attempts to contextualize current hip hop and EDM as a continuation of the various forms of 20th century experimental music. It's called Island Universes because I imagine listening to the mix as flying past a bunch of universes, and briefly looking down at each one, before moving on to the next. They each have their own unique characteristics, but they're part of a larger structure and are interacting with each other, albeit at a distance. Even islands are connected if you go deep enough.

From the early wisps of Flying Lotus through Diplo, Drake, J Dilla and his own closing piece, this one's a prime example of how much musicality can go into a mix. Turn this one all the way up.

Tracklist:

Yilma Hailu - "Tewahido"

Tonto’s Expanding Head Band - "Tama"

Flying Lotus - "Until the Colors Come"

Jon Hassell - "Empire I"

Liddicat & The Gift - "DGAF (Hot Britches Late Night Future Screw Edit)"

Brian Eno - "2/2"

Oddisee - "After Thoughts"

Erik Satie - "Gymnopédies - 1. Lent Et Douloureux"

The Life Force Trio - "Alice! (Live at the Natural History Museum)"

Big Cats - "Red Shift"

BADBADNOTGOOD - "CS60"

Harry Partch - "Eleven Instrusions II: Study on Archytas' Enharmonic Scale"

Aquadrop vs. Nadastrom - "Favelas (RL Grime edit)"

Pharoah Sanders - "Greeting to Saud"

Sun Ra - "Solar Drums"

Arve Henriksen - "Poverty and Its Opposite"

Diplo & Grandtheft - "Pretty With Her Eyes Low"

Taylor McFerrin - "Stepps"

Wiz Khalifa - "We Dem Boyz (Giovanni remix)"

Sun Ra - "Space Probe"

P.O.S. - "Lock Picks, Knives, Bricks, and Bats (Big Cats remix)"

Kraftwerk - "Tongebirge"

Malcolm Cecil - "Gamelonia Dawn"

Jon Hassel - "Blue Period"

Toki Wright & Big Cats - "Cold World (interlude)"

Found Interlude - ?

Miles Davis - "Pharaoh’s Dance"

Drake - "0-100"

Mr. Carmack - "Kick It Up"

J Dilla - "Make Em NV (instrumental)"

Alice Coltrane - "Lovely Sky Boat"

Jon Hassell - "Clairvoyance"

Big Cats - "Untitled Joint (ft. Claire de Lune)"

Ras G - "Been Cosmic"

Art Ensemble of Chicago - "Chi-Congo"

Big Cats - "Island Universes"

DJ Rahdu's Diamond Soul XXXperience mixes are a surefire way to get put on to the newest chops, and his latest does not disappoint. Both Common and Electric Wire Hustle get their well-deserved love, but pay special attention to the later cuts from Submotion Orchestra and Onra; both are left-of-center bangers in their own right. Rahdu's mixes seem to be the perfect fit for the summertime, but we've got a feeling that as the fall rolls in he'll only get fresher and fresher with his fix-ups.

The Pharcyde – "4 Better or 4 Worse (The Deli Remix)"

Melodiesinfonie – "Galactic Wellness"

Furns – "Keeper"

Elle Winston – "Downtown"

Mos Def – "24 Hour Karate School"

Alice Russell – "Seven Nation Army (Grant Phabao 45 Edit)"

INI- "Grown Man Sport"

Common – "City to City"

Gilles Peterson Havana Cultura Band – "Think Twice feat Danay & Carina (Marc Mac Remix)"

Jill Scott – "Golden (Mark de Clive Lowe Remix)"

Dwele – "Lady (Wantigga Flip)"

Maxwell – "Ascension (aywy. & Sh?m Edit)"

Moka Only – "Ask Me"

Jazzanova – "L.O.V.E. You & I"

India.Arie – "Get it Together"

Myles Sanko – "My Inspiration"

Malia – "Satisfaction"

Jesse Boykins III – "Mine | Cat Rider"

Electric Wire Hustle - "Bottom Line (Anthony Valadez Remix)"

FloFilz – "JazzChains"

GoldLink – "On & On"

ThatManMonkz – "Remember (Glen Astro’s Reminisce)"

Byron the Aquarius – "Prelude of 808′s"

CCCO – "Power Trip"

Submotion Orchestra – "Time Will Wait"

Liquid Crystal Project – "Jazz Bobby"

Afta-1 – "NightLight"

Onra – "Oper8tor"

Steve Arrington – "Without Your Love"

DJ Day – "Funky Drummer (DJ Day Cut Out the Lights Mix)"

In case you haven't noticed, we here at Okayplayer have become fast fans of Fader's summer mix series. Each one is curated by a different DJ, artist, band or producer and is a privileged look into the private sensibilities artists on the rise. This week's comes from the British singer/producer/drummer GEoRGiA, who's built some solid traction in only the last few weeks thanks to her clattering single "Digits". GEoRGiA's mix is something a bit smoother, though, and transits from Bill Evans into the more modern strains of hip-hop and R&B.

Tracklist:

Bill Evans – "My Mary’s Gone Now"

Dibiase – "OMG!!!"

The Cool Kids – "Gold And A Pager"

Lootpack – "Outro"

The Fat Boys – "Stick ‘Em"

Mykki Blanco – "Fuckin The DJ (feat. Le1f)"

Main Attrakionz – "Take 1 (feat. A$AP Rocky)"

Death Grips – "Stockton"

Ginuwine – "Tell Me Do U Wanna"

The Durutti Column – "Sketch for Summer"

If smooth and slick isn't quite your bag, Leo Justi has something just a little meaner for your ears to slip into. From ricocheting d-n-b to tribal-fueled chat sessions, Justi's Heavy Baile session is a global club sampler platter of what the world is getting wild by. You can download the entire mix right here.

Tracklist:

Leo Justi/DJ Cabide - "Deixa Os Garoto"

DJ Renan - "Montagem Santa Marta (Leo Justi Edit)"

Leo Justi - "Di Ladin"

DJ Dede Mandrak - "Treinamento do Bumbum (Leo Justi Remix)"

Breach - "Jack(Leo Justi Remix)"

Nicki Minaj x Rye Rye - "Boss Ass Tambor"

Leo Justi- "Go Down Low"

Leo Justi - "BK Tarada"

Bonde do Tigrão - "Baile Todo"

Leo Justi - "Gaitero"

UZ x Mc Carol - "Trapshit v6 x Onda Forte"

Dori Caymmi e Geraldo Casé / Montagem - "A Cuca Te Pega"

Leo Justi - "O Homem Mau (Sniper Queen)"

Mc Beyonce - "Fala Mal De Mim"

Leo Justi / Beatacue / Bola de Fogo - "Pon de Prep"

Bola de Fogo - "Atoladinha"

Leo Justi - "Pon de Roof"

DJ - Comrade - "Mulherada"