DJ Lt. Dan Mixtapes
Here's the next installment from DJ Lt. Dan. This set of four promotionals, "We got Next," features Damon Dash commentaries and the hottest ish from Benie Sigal, MOP, Freeway, Snoop and others; "The Illest of M.O.P.," well, covers all the bases and others like Jay-Z and Big Pun; "The Illest of Nas," from Main Source to 'Got yourself a...' is strictly the illest collectors edition; and finally "Kayne West Instrumentals" are beats which producer Kayne West sold to artists such as Talib Kweli (Get By), Ludacris (Be All Right) and Jay-Z (Never Change, Takeover). On this one, aspiring American idols can write their own versions. -MrMixtape@yahoo.com
Sick of Waging War
Sage Francis
This is the third in his "Sick of Waiting..." series. It's the follow-up to "Still Sick...Urine Trouble" and "Sick of Waiting Tables." Basically, the 2002-dated "Sick of Waging War" is a collection of unreleased studio tracks, radio freestyles, live show recordings, unfinished songs and spoken word performances. His point in putting this one out is to make sure to archive worthwhile material made by artists that wouldn't otherwise be heard. The recordings aren't top notch, but the "realness" is true. -SageFrancis.com
Hope
Non-Prophets
Remember the name Sage Francis. I'm seriously jockin' this MC. He's a Scribble Jam and Superbowl MC Battle veteran. He's a Poetry Slam Champ. He's a seasoned tour man. He's a seasoned recording artist, and lyrically he's just plain dope. It's surprising that Epitaph Records just picked him up this year. The busy guy got a few things set up for the next few months: a spoken word album, a live CD, a book, a DVD and, of course, more music. -SageFrancis.com
WeatherproofCageAfter opening up the floodgates with his solo debut, "Movies for the Blind," the bastard child of Stanley Kubrick returns with Weatherproof. It features nine new cuts from the mysterious emcee. On this one you'll find appearances by Camu Tao and Tame One. You'll also find that the production by Mighity Mi, Reef, emz, Rjd2 and J-Zone is pretty damn tight.-EasternConferenceAllStars.com
Freestyle
Freestyle
I went to the Philippines last month and laughed at most of their cheesy music. Then it grew on me. Musically, it's pretty good-most are about the level of Asian-American pop. Some surpass. In the Philippines it's called O.P.M...."Original Pilipino Music" (it's actually my guess). Freestyle is a sample from "home" that reminds me of how it felt to spend money like Puffy does. Freestyle, just like most Filipino artists, specializes in the songs that help steal your girlfriend-the slow jam. It especially shines on cuts like "Before I Let You Go," "Wanna Be The One," and "Bakit Iniwan Na." Don't knock it...Fob out with me. -FreestyleOPM.com