Mixtape Monday: Big Cats x Andre 3000 Premiere, Wicked's 90s Hip-Hop, Cuurlzzz + More!

It's a damn fine Monday from where we're standing. Mixtape Monday is back once more to provide your hammers, anvils and stirrups with more groove than they could possibly handle, and this week we're bringing you some very special brand-newness. Leading off this week's roundup is Minneapolis producer Big Cats, who's put together an incredibly intricate blend of Andre 3000 features--tracks released by other artists that were blessed by Mr. Benjamin. It's a funky, wild ride.

Following Big Cats's freshness, we're bringing you the vintage goodness courtesy of the West Coast's Wicked and his 90s hip-hop throwback mix. And hitting third for us is Cuurlzzz, a criminally underrated mixtaper from NYC whose ear for blending hip-hop, soul, jazz and futuristic grooves belies her young age. This week's roundup also packs fresh house tones from Will Coloan, some classic soul and wild ambient/jazz tones from Perrin Moss of Hiatus Kaiyote. There's something for everyone, so everybody, quick, get on in.

After months of schedule-wrangling, it's finally come to fruition: Okayplayer is proud to premiere a brand new mixtape from Big Cats. The Minneapolis beatmaker and multi-instrumentalist took on Andre 3000 as his muse of choice for his brand new set, entitled "Stacks On Stacks On Stacks," and in doing so sewed up some of the Outkast MC's greatest featured verses into one fluid, hard-knocking tape.

"How is Andre 3000 only 40 years old?" That's the question that Big Cats (aka Spencer Wirth-Davis) is asking with this mix. "It's been 9 years since the last Outkast album (and that was a 25-track, prohibition-era soundtrack...), meaning Andre was 31 when it dropped. 3 stacks was 18 when Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik dropped, and 28 when Outkast released their break-up opus/double solo LP, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. In comparison, Jay-Z and Eminem both dropped their first records when they were 27."

"Stacks On Stacks On Stacks" comes as blessed rain for the Andre drought that we've been suffering from--but then, 3000 never left, he just kept on the move. Cats has created a compilation mix of some of the MC's best featured verses on the tracks of others, from UGK to Rick Ross to Mystikal, Drake and Frank. Once again, in Big Cats's own words:

I took 23 Dre verses (plus a couple beats) and combined them into this 33 minute... thing...? It's not the most cohesive mix I've ever made, but then again, Andre's catalog is far from cohesive. I think the mix reflects just how versatile and innovative an MC/producer/singer/musician Andre is. Even though he hasn't dropped a record in nearly a decade, Mr. Benjamin has put out six Outkast albums, a looooong list of features, and a handful of movies. Let's celebrate one of the all time greats while he's still around, and stop worrying about when we're getting another record.

That says it all right there; all that's left to do is push play.

Tracklist:

Chris Brown - "Deuces (remix)"

Young Jeezy - "I Do"

UGK - "International Players Anthem"

John Legend - "Green Light"

Rich Boy - "Throw Some Ds (remix)"

Unk - "Walk It Out (remix)"

Ke$ha - "Sleazy"

T.I. - "Sorry"

Witchdoctor - "Dez Only 1"

Devin The Dude - "What a Job"

Big Boi - "You Ain’t No DJ"

Beyonce - "Party"

Rick Ross - "Sixteen"

Kelis - "Millionaire"

Jay-Z - "30 Something (remix)"

Goodie Mob - "Thought Process"

Big Boi - "Royal Flush"

Lil Wayne - "Interlude"

Sleepy Brown - "I Can’t Wait"

Class of 3000 - "Banana Zoo"

Goodie Mob - "Black Ice"

Dungeon Family - "Trans DF Express"

Mystikal - "Neck Uv Da Woods"

Drake - "The Real Her"

Frank Ocean - "Pink Matter"

West Coast denizen Wicked has become a fast friend of Mixtape Monday, what with his steady supply of throwback(ish) excellence and keen ear for plucking out the best beat-to-beat transitions. On his new, short and sweet mixtape he's taking us once more into the beautiful realm of 90s hip-hop, fading into Nas via old sample material, dropping old Common Sense, some Souls of Michief and much, much more.

Cuurlzz is a name you're going to want to bookmark. The NYC-based mix-maker absolutely bowled us over with her "After The Love Is Gone" set, and now she's back with a slightly more varied and multiform mix, entitled "620 Mood." Copping sounds from the West Coast beat scene (Madlib, MNDSGN) and East Coast boom-bap, her 30 minute offering is some of the most creative and just all-out fun listening we've had in here in a long while.

Tracklist:

Chuk Le Garcon - Pike

A Tribe Called Quest - 1nce Again (Je$u$ Remix)

Poptartpete- Lovelyday

Ras G Feat. Jeremiah Jae - Black Daffi's Revenge

The Chakachas - Soledad

Jazz Spastiks Feat Ladybug Mecca - Parley To Parlet

The Breathing Effect - Rising Inside

Danny Brown & MNDSGN - Sweeney Song

James Pants - Driftwood

Madlib - Drunk Again

Trek

(Art by Dase Boogie)

A blend of perfect soul numbers from across the 20th century, Soul Supreme AFK's "Straight Talk" mixtape comes dedicated to a friend who's been through some tough times. "I'm far from home so I can't help as much as I'd want to so I did what I can:

Soulful music makes everything better so I recorded a soulful uplifting mix.. Soul Supreme wrote. From its early moments with Mel and Tim to its later grooves courtesy of The Roe-O-Tation, the mix is an ideal piece of groove catharsis. Let's hope Soul Supreme's friend is doing alright again--we're sure this mix helped out quite a bit.

One of the most consistent mix-makers in all the mix-universe, LeFtO kicked up to a higher plane this week, bringing in Adrian Younge to share a special all-45 rpm mix that, as you can imagine, is chock-full of tasteful grooves. Edgewise, the mad Belgian drops new Thundercat, a bit of Sun Ra, Kaytranada's amazing remix of Tuxedo's "Right Time" and many, many, many more top-notch joints.

Tracklist:

SiR - "Jay Z"

Rejjie Snow In session for Lefto

Thundercat - "Them Changes"

The Milk - "No Interruptions"

Jungle By Night - Pangea"

Frank Nitt - Classic"

Sun Ra - Space Is The Place"

The Internet - Special Affair"

Gossamer - J-Cruise"

Clap! Clap! - Fever"

Débruit - Transverse"

Owiny Sigoma Band - Luo Land"

Pamela Samiha Wise - Ancestors"

Tom Blip - "Wrong Guanco"

Whateverest - GGSTA"

Henry Wu Trio - Untitled"

Jordan Rakei - A Tribe Called Government"

Makaya McCraven - Requests"

Bilal ft. Kendrick Lamar - Money Over Love"

Adrian Younge In the mix for Lefto

Christian Rich - "Compromise ft. Goldlink / Sinead Harnett"

Tuxedo - "The Right Time (Kaytranada / BBNG Remix)"

Claude - That Jazz"

Glenn Astro - A Bit Warmer"

2000Black - "Make It Hard"

Boddika & Joy Orbison - "TMTT"

Perhaps the less verbage we assault you with on this one, the better. Perrin Moss of Hiatus Kaiyote has a producer alias, it seems: Clever Austin. He's released a new mixtape of lovely, ambient sounds and we suggest you listen to it below and let yourself drift away on its rhythms.

Tom Krell, aka How To Dress Well, took over much of Diplo's regular BBC Radio show this past weekend, sharing a mix full of choice R&B (and some pretty absurd but lovable pop material as well--brace for impact with some N*Sync). Dig on his selections of Shalamar, Eric B. & Rakim, Justin Timberlake, Goldlink and more.

Tracklist:

Janet Jackson – Empty [Virgin]

Palmistry – Protector SE5 [Mixpak]

The‐Dream – Right Side Of My Brain [Radio Killa/Def Jam]

Broken Social Scene – Swimmers [Arts & Crafts]

Babyface – When Can I See You Again [Epic]

Cursive – The Recluse [Saddle Creek Records]

N. Sync – I Drive Myself Crazy [RCA /Trans Continental Records]

Cass McCombs – County Line [Domino]

Fleetwood Mac – Beautiful Child [Warner Bros. Records]

Mariah Carey – H.A.T.E. U [Island Records]

Popcaan – Where We Come From

The Pussycat Dolls – Stickwitu [Interscope]

Elite Gymnastics – Andreja 4-Ever [None]

Young Thug – OD [300 Entertainment/Atlantic]

Palmistry – Memory Taffeta [Mixpak]

Eric B. & Rakim – When I B On Tha Mic (Instrumental) [Universal Records]

GoldLink – Creep [White Label]

Uptown X.O. – The Light [He Loves You Not Recordings]

Justin Timberlake – Rock Your Body [Jive]

Uptown X.O. – Somethin’ About U [He Loves You Not Recordings]

XO – U & I (feat. Shay Lia)

Loose Ends – Gonna Make You Mine [Virgin]

Shalamar – A Night To Remember [Sanctuary Records]

XO – Flames Of A Phoenix [He Loves You Not Recordings]

Abhi–dijon – Distant Love [Unknown]

MXXWLL – I Got U

Uptown X.O. – What I Feel [Unreleased]

Kartell – All Night [Roche Musique]

Pomo – Cloud Cruise [HW&W]

Lion Babe – Wonder Woman (NVOY Remix)

Andy Hart – Jungle [Heist Recordings]

Eliphino – Lay Me Down [The Love Below]

Detroit Swindle – Brotherman [Freerange Records]

MJ Cole – Bouldaz [METHOD WHITE]

Sticky – Triplets

Platinum 45 – Oi (feat. More Fire Crew)

One of our favorite house mixtape stalwarts, Will Coloan fired yet another hypnotic shot across the bow this month with his latest installment in his "Cafe de la Coloan" series. Heavy on the house, Coloan's lastest offering has plenty in it that'll interest R&B fans and even a few hip-hop heads--the DJ knows just how to cut up a mix, pace things and highlight infectious vocal melodies.

Keeping things in that electronic groove for a minute, Derrick Carter's latest Boiler Room set is a perfect (re)introduction to the amazing work of house legend Frankie Knuckles, who tragically passed away last March. The handclaps, kicks and vibrant bass never stops on this long, strong session recorded live in Chicago.

A newcomer to Mixtape Monday, Ralph Hardy's's latest spin on UK radio program NANG Selection offers us a great survey of what's dope across the Atlantic. In the program's own words:

Even though NANG naturally spread out the vibes to all corners of the world, and despite the current resurgence of Grime music making it's impact overseas, there's still people in the UK unashamedly saying they don't listen to UK music. A surplus of time and sleepless nights have gone into creating music and then to make it sexier for you in the form of radio shows, podcasts etc - If you do enjoy the product, please share it. A comment, repost, like goes a long in helping all parties make it that much better.

Only a small selection to fit into two hours - The likelihood of us doing another special is... Likely.

Listen below--we guarantee there's much, much to dig.

Tracklist:

PBGR - Four Seasons Ft. Mike Bagz & Charlie Mase

SNE - S Of Spades

Dame grief x TEEZA - 020 GammoN

Cohort - Look Around (JME Mix)

Jesse James Solomon - We Do

Sensitivity - Nick Kagame Mix

Lone - Vengeance Video

The Busy Twist - Floor Excitement Ft. Jah Mirikle

Bonkaz - The Streets (Rhythm and Poetry)

Oscar World Peace - Right Now

A2 - Gold

Kode9 - Uh

Novelist - Ignorant and Wot’

Stormzy - Know Me From

Saf One - - Dats Dead Ft. Pressure 021 x Bomma

Trends - Catchphrase

JME - Calm

Kano - Hail

RD - one Bagga Chat

Diesle D Power - What Have You Done Ft. Raoches & So Large

JD. Reid - Yatchs Phantoms

Joss Ryan - Haunt You

Wiley - Chasing The Art 9BeatBoy Remix)

Joss Ryan Vs Timzed - That’s Not Me (Allstar Remix)

Skepta - Sam Shit Different Day

Sh?M - Decimation

Dizzee Racsal Ft. Wiley - 2 Far

Ray BLK - Memories

Little x Tilla - Classy Events

Purple Ferdinand - Loving The Hate

TE dness - Re The City