Hip Hop

The Roots, JAy-Z, Beastie Boys

FrostWire Creative Commons Mixtape Vol. 4

And the time of the year came again to share with all of you the best of 2013 FrostWire features. From blues, to pop, electronic, hiphop and rap comes 12 of our favorite tracks from our favorite artists. Last year over 294,000 of you downloaded our Mixtape Vol. 3 – this year lets take those numbers even higher, because the great musicians behind this compilation certainly deserve some love.

Project Jay Music: California Soul

Following the footsteps of the great rappers such as Public Enemy’s Chuck D and the Notorious B.I.G., Project Jay is a sensational rapper who was born and raised in California. With his flawless rapping and introspective lyricism, Jay is one of the freshest talent of the hip-hop indiescape.

PMagnum: V/VII Based on a True Story

With the interesting graphic cover, V/VII Based on A True Story by PMagnum (Preston Magnum) is already demanding attention from everyone. A collection of great stories interpreted by jazzy hip-hop beats, this EP comprising of five tracks gets more emotional and enthralling from start to finish.

Poison IV: Fly Society

In this day and age where the feminine figure is starting to establish its roots on various branches of this male-fueled world, it’s refreshing to hear them flip conventions too; that, as beautifully executed by Poison IV. Megan Hamilton, who prefers to be called ‘Poison IV’, is not to one to get stuck on one genre. Despite a predominantly “hip-hop-ish” packaging, she transitions from one style to another as she pleases, not minding that she’s dipping into alternative pop, rap, and R&B as well.

Delaca: Delaca

Fusion is the game, and Delaca plays it smoothly [even literally]. Skirting along the neo-soul genre, the quartet — composed of Austin Antoine (vocals), Devon Taylor (bass), Justin Jackson (vocals and keys), and Amir Oosman (production) — is bringing a more laid-back brand of R&B to the table, kind of like the loungey type that dominated the 90′s.

Home Brew Crew: Taste Test

Home Brew Crew has earned a status as one of New Zealand’s best hip-hop acts, showcasing the funky experience with a garden-fresh tactic and comical fore. Taste Test EP, released on June 2009, is just one of the five astounding albums that the band have released since 2007. Among their accolades is their self-entitled album, which won Best Urban/Hip-Hop Album at the New Zealand Music Awards.

HELLFYRE CLUB: Dorner vs. Tookie

The four rappers currently at the center of the Los Angeles-based Hellfyre Club include Busdriver, Nocando, Open Mike Eagle, and Milo. Hellfyre is known to be a tree that produces competent artists that undeniably dominate the indie hip-hop landscape.

Mike Schpitz & Phys Edison: Paid Time Off

Here’s another raunchy comeback from one of FrostClick’s favorite rapper, Mike Schpitz. After his successful release of Spring Cleaning, which was also featured here in FrostClick, comes another set of fresh hip hop tunes to cap off 2013 in Paid Time Off. Haiing from Topeka, Kansas but is currently based in Chicago, Mike Schpitz is a three-in-one machine who juggles in between a full-time job, being a parent, and rapping.