Best of 08: Meanest Man Contest's Top 10 Mixtapes of 08

Posted Wednesday, December 24, 2008 @ 09:26 in Music by Eric Steuer

One-half of Hip-hop electricians Meanest Man Contest, Eric Steuer gives URB his take on the best mixtapes of the Ocho. Be sure to check meanest.net for all your Meanest Man Contest wants, needs, and desires.

10. Blu and DJ Heat – (So)ul Amazing

This is a nice compilation of odds-and-ends tracks, featuring collabs with Flying Lotus, Dilla. Talib Kweli, Joell Ortiz, and more. It’s a great companion piece to Below the Heavens, Blu’s collaboration with Exile from last year.

9. Rhymefest and Mark Ronson – Man in the Mirror

Here’s another idea that could have come off way corny but ended up working out nicely: A tribute to Michael Jackson in which Rhymefest rocks over tracks from throughout the King of Pop’s career. The result is full of wit and energy.

8. Kid Cudi and Plain Pat & Emile – A Kid Named Cudi

I love the personality in this mixtape – you get a really good idea of what Cudi is all about after you listen to it. The beat selection is great too, from the rework of Dilla’s “Wild” to the Band of Horses sample that shows up on “The Prayer.”

7. 88-Keys – Adam's Case Files

This is a short and sweet mixtape with soulful beats and a bunch of quality guest spots. Izza Kizza, Mr. Bentley, Kid Cudi, and Tanya Morgan all kill it on their respective tracks.

6. Chamillionaire – Mixtape Messiah 4

Chamillionaire is one of those guys who is super underrated, even though lots of people know about him. He’s one of the smartest and most versatile rappers out there, and this double disc mix features him at his best

5. Charles Hamilton and DJ Skee – Sonic the Hamilton

I had a hard time deciding which of Charles Hamilton’s eight – yes, eight - mixtapes from 2008 should be on this list. I chose Sonic because it does the best job showcasing how well he walks the line between self-conscious weirdo and ferocious MC.

4. Joe Budden and DJ Benzi – Mood Muzik 3: We Got the Remix

The original version of Mood Muzik 3 was great, and the remixes on this special edition highlight the fact that Joey’s flow sounds great over all kinds of beats.

3. The Very Best – The Very Best Mixtape

This collaboration between Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit is ridiculously fresh and original. I like everything on it, but the flip of Hans Zimmer’s True Romance theme is the track I keep going back to.

2. Ludacris and DJ Drama – The Preview

Luda had kinda been gone for a minute, so it was nice to see him come back hard with this Gangsta Grillz project. He pretty much always destroys it on the mic, and The Preview is no exception.

1. Wale and Nick Catchdubs – The Mixtape About Nothing

With a different rapper, a Seinfeld-themed mixtape could’ve been corny as hell. But in Wale’s hands, it’s lyrical, thoughtful, and funny. Plus he got a drop from Julia Louis-Dreyfus, which is awesome.

MORE URB BEST OF 2008 

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