Mixtape Monday: Big Cats Island Universes Premiere, DJ Rashad Hayes, DJ Premier x DJ Eclipse x Sean Price + More!

It's all about craftsmanship during this new re-up of Mixtape Monday. We're putting one up for all the knob-tweakers and mouse clickers, the DJs who put in work on their laptops sealing up every single last bar of their mix before it goes live. Leading it all off is our world premiere of Big Cats's brilliant and expansive new Island Universe mix, which has the Minneapolis producer and selector stacking his own bootlegs and rare edits up against some of the biggest names in today's hip-hop galaxy. From there, DJ Rashad Hayes delivers a little live fire from New Orleans, and legends DJ Eclipse and DJ Premier pay tribute to our fallen hero, Sean Price. It's fresh, varied and delicious all around, so let's get right to it, shall we?

It's been a beautiful thing, Okayplayer's growing relationship with Minneapolis producer, composer and DJ Big Cats (aka Spencer Wirth-Davis). Not only does the young man have an ear for excellent mixtape-making (just check out his all-Andre 3000 session if you need proof), but his hip-hop beats are amongst the Midwest's most inventive and flat-out fun. Now, Okayplayer is very happy to announce that Big Cats will be coming to Brooklyn this Friday, August 21st to play a DJ set alongside Fresh Daily (details above). To mark the occasion, we're premiering his latest Island Universes mix, the newest in a series that is all about inventive blends, varied track listing and, yes, a bit of Drake. Things kick off with his own flip of "Back to Back" and stay loose and colorful throughout. Here's what the mix-maker himself had to say about it:

There's nothing better than summer in NYC. In anticipation of my show at Kinfolk this Friday, I tried to capture some end of summer ambience in mixtape form. This one's got a lot of remixes, blends, and good vibes. Enjoy, and come kick it at Kinfolk in Brooklyn on Friday.

Even details:

Big Cats + Fresh Daily + Special Guest

Friday, August 21st, 7-10 p.m.

Kinfolk Cafe, 90 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY

FREE

Tracklist:

Drake - Back to Back (Big Cats bootleg)

Kanye West - Good Life (Big Cats remix)

Oddisee - The Carter Baron

Greg Grease ft. TUSS - Whoa Whoa

Pharaoh Sanders - Colors

Kali Uchis - Know What I Want (Esta remix)

Drake - Best I Ever Had (instrumental)

Jack Garratt - The Love You’re Given

Jukai Sea of Trees

BJ The Chicago Kid - Wednesday Weekend

Harris Cole - Leanin’ (w/ Great Dane)

Leikli47 - Heard Em Say

Sam Gellaitry - Snake Charmer (Swindail edit)

Goldlink - Dance on Me (Pyrmdplaza remix)

Schoolboy Q - Studio (instrumental)

Waka Flocka Flame - No Hands (Big Cats remix)

DJ Rashad Hayes was one of the many skilled musicians to bring their talents to New Orleans for the Essence Music Festival earlier this summer. Rashad did what he does best--spinning classic soul and funk material in a hard-knocking manner, and fortunately the recording has survived for all of us to savor in. You can practically smell the prawn po' boys simmering on this one. Hayes sent Okayplayer a bit more context about the set:

Live mix from Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Featuring the greats Donald Byrd, Patrice Rushen, The Gap Band, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Fela Kuti, Chaka Khan, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Van Morrison, & underrated luminaries like Dexter Wansel, Willie West & Charlie Watts. I also threw in some dope breaks in there. Enjoy!

It's hard to believe it's only been 10 days since Sean Price tragically passed away. Time has a funny way of passing, whether you want it to or not. The tributes to Price have come rolling in from all corners of the hip-hop world, from murals in Brooklyn to unheard archival mix, and on the latest installment of DJ Eclipse's "Rap is Outta Control" show, all things were offered as a commemoration of Ruck. None other than DJ Premier stopped by to offer respect and music in the name of Sean--the entire three hour session is essential listening.

Price's final album, Songs In The Key of Price, will be released Friday, August 21st on Duck Down Music. you can cop tickets to its August 27th release show (which is now doubling as a memorial) at NYC's SOBs here, and as always, consider donating to his family via crowdrise.

Boiler Room honcho sofie always brings the futuristic funk on her SOS Radio show, and this month sees her bringing Italian stallion Subito in for a show that hinges on material sampled by Knxwledge. Fans of his brilliant LP Hud Dreems will hear a great many familiar joints, but then everyone with working ears will be able to get into it. sofie herself put it this way:

sample special in honor of knx - the other month i compiled about 4 hours worth of tunes he's sampled for a set i did at his album release in LA. been listening to most of these non stop so decided to put together a bunch of my favorites,

last half hour guest mix by the man SUBITO - solo italiano !

Producer duo Christian Rich are just days away from the drop of their debut LP FW14, and recently spun through Fader to drop a brilliant mixtape of Timbaland and J Dilla rarities. Are they rare enough for a pack of Okayplayer heads to get their craniums blown open? You'll just have to stop wondering and hit play to find out. Christian Rich's new LP can be pre-ordered on iTunes, and you can already stream it via NPR.

Tracklist:

Kiley Dean - Keep It Movin

Busta Rhymes - So Hardcore

Timbaland & Magoo Feat. Mad Skillz - Clock Strikes

Janet Jackson - Got ‘Til It’s Gone (Ummah Jay Dee’s Revenge Mix)

Kiley Dean - Busy

Busta Rhymes Feat. Rampage The Last Boy Scout - Whoo Ha!!! Got You All In Check (Jay Dee Bounce Remix)

Beanie Sigel - In The Club

De La Soul - Stakes Is High (Jay Dee Remix)

LL Cool J - Can't Explain It

Keith Murray - Dangerous Ground

Timbaland Feat Mad Skills - Wit' Yo' Bad Self

Busta Rhymes Feat Q-Tip - Ill Vibe (Jay dee remix)

Aaliyah - Don’t Know What to Tell Ya

The Pharcyde - She Said (feat. J Dilla) [Jay Dee Remix]

Petey Pablo - Raise Up

De La Soul Feat. D.V. Alias Khrist - Thru Ya City

Aaliyah Feat Timbaland - We Need A Resolution

Keith Murray - The Rhyme (J Dilla Remix)

Prince Paul has been a semi-regular fixture in Mixtape Monday, dropping off installments in his "It's Not The Size of Your Mix, It's How You Use It" series and treating us to some of his personal favorites from deep within his library. Now, the newest set is here, and it's right in step with his past work. Dig on joints from Mad Skillz, Chi-Ali, Masta Ace Incorporated, Inspectah Deck & Street Life & U-God, Diamond and many more.

"It’s Not The Size of Your Mix It’s How You Use It" is a collection of songs that I never get to hear outside of my iPod. I based this mix on songs I like to listen to not artist or popularity. This will probably be the start of a few mixes I will make this year. I’m not a mixtape making type of guy, but this was pretty fun to make. I hope you enjoy and PLEASE SHARE! Blessings and support you local rapper.

We've all been there--digging through the dollar bin through miles upon miles of chaff records, taking stabs in the dusty dark at what might be a brilliant record waiting to get another lease on life. Now, Chris of Dope Folks has put together a mix that perfectly encapsulates that vibe, loading it up with hip-hop you never knew you always needed. He described it as such:

The late 90's/early 2000's churned out some great Underground Hip Hop. These aren't the rarest of the rare, but these are some great 12"s you can find for little to nothing. This mix started by just playing some later era Fondle 'Em records and going from there.

Tracklist:

1. DJ ELI & SHAN BOOGS, J-TREDS, PUMPKINHEAD, YESHUA DAPO ED:

Truly Gifted Ones

2. CASHLESS SOCIETY: Blazetha Breaks

3. SIAH: Repetition

4. MIZCHIEF: Place For A Wife

5. MR. AKIL: How MC's Do It

6. IG OFF & HAZARDOUS: The Nicest

7. STYLES OF BEYOND: Spies Like Us

8. INSIGHT ft MR. LIF: Universal

9. MISSION: CONTAGIOUS: Throw Your Hands Up ft Celcius & Igro

10. MIRAGE: L.I.A.R.

11. B-ONE: How We Live

12. AKBAR: Those Who Say

13. RUMMAGE: Dissentery

14. MIC-T: The Recipe

15. BRIZ: Cannons ft THE BLACK NARCISSIST

16. SHUMAN: Encore

17. JIGMASTAS ft. SKAM & THE BUILDIN BLOXX: Beyond Real Remix

18. SCIENZ OF LIFE ft MF DOOM: Yikes

19. MF GRIMM: Do it For The Kids

20. MYKILL MIERS ft. FREDDIE FOXX: Wanna Be an MC

Chris "The Glove" Taylor threw down a quick 30 minute demonstration of classic hip-hop, with joints from Eric B. & Rakim, LL Cool J, ATCQ, Whodini and BDP all getting some time atop the turntables. It's so, so proper.

Rahdu dropped off his latest "Diamond Soul XXXperience" piece, and this one's an extra-extra-worldly affair. Based on a "Feel Good Friday" theme (we know it's only Monday though--you'll just have to pretend), the BamaLoveSoul don takes us on a ride from Detroit down to Birmingham and way down to South America.

Tracklist:

Panacea – Flashback to Stardom (DJ Spinna Remix) Ft Raheem Devaughn

Telepopmusick – Brighton Beach (Freddie Joachim Remix)

The Internet - For the World feat James Fauntleroy

Reginald Omas Mamode IV - Bye

Quiet Dawn - New Dawn (Eric Lau Remix) ft Oddisee

Giorgio Oehlers – Sunshine & Margaritas

LAKIM x Sango - Acucar

Next Evidence - Aye

Nathan Adams - Sending You My Love

Deyampert - I Want You to Know Me

Optic - Liquid of Dreams

Soia & Mez - Lost in Memory

Raphael Saadiq - I Want You Back feat Teedra Moses

Ol’ Burger Beats - 3D Cypher feat Illa J, Frank Nitt & Marv Won

Electric Wire Hustle - Brother Sun (Rodi Kirk & Aron Ottignon Version) ft Kimbra

Amp Fiddler - Send a Message (Yam Who Remix)

Jimpster - Left & Right ft Capitol A

Chin Chin - GG & the Boys

Diggs Duke - Because You're So Wonderful

Full Crate - Special

Malice & Mario Sweet - Superstar

Sergio Mendes - The Frog feat Q Tip & Will I Am

Frank Nitt - Classic

Me'Shell Ndegeocello - Hot Night ft Talib Kweli

Black Eyed Peas - Feel It (Jazzy Jeff Soulful Remix)

The Souljazz Orchestra - Bull's Eye

Andy Compton's Sowetian Onesteps - I Belong (the Rurals Remix) ft Lara Benack

Hiatus Kaiyote - Breathing Underwater (DJ Spinna Remix)

Buscrates 16 Bit Ensemble - On My Own ft Lara Benack

The Foreign Exchange - Work it to the Top

Noveliss - Out Your Galaxy (Cartoons, Anime & Manga)

Lustbass - Vital Transformation feat Georgia Anne Muldrow

Bilal - Bury Me Next to You

V - Who Would I Be

Electro genius Tycho offered up perhaps his most danceable offering ever last week with a new set for MixMag. Featuring tracks from HNNY, DJ Koze, Todd Terje, Guy Gerber and Move D, it's a brilliant scan of what's great in the world of electronic music today, and some excellent driving music for those of you staring down a long commute home.