Welcome to Hump Day Bump Day, Dive’s new weekly mixtape roundup. You can now see the light at the end of the tunnel (Friday’s so close!), so look ahead toward the weekend and spin these tunes as you prepare to party.
Hoodie Allen – “Pep Rally”
Pep Rally isn’t your typical mixtape. First off, this is Hoodie Allen’s debut. This means a respectable amount of thought was put into his subjects, and he strives for some finely-tuned spitting. There’s a noticeable quality here (especially when compared to Gucci Mane on his once-a-month mixtape binge). Secondly, two worlds collide on Pep Rally — the indie scene and the rap game. 21-year-old Allen crafts beats by sampling popular pop and punk songs, throwing in some electronic beats and bass, and then laying some mad rhymes. Beach House, Yeasayer, Death Cab for Cutie and the Black Keys are a few of the impressive array of sampled bands. Popular culture is a fundamental ingredient that sets him apart from other rappers. He’s slightly cheesier than Chiddy Bang (his closest comparison) lyrically, but just as catchy. The inventiveness of his references and fresh college mentality make for an enjoyable listen and a legit 30 minute set at your next party.
Dope Lyric: “I got the world on my legs like Landon Donovan”
Spin These: “Words of Wisdom,” “Tighten Up” & “Swimming With Sharks”
Find a tracklist and free download here.
Woodhands – “No Feelings”
If you’ve heard either of Ratatat’s Remixes Vol. 1 or 2, you have been formally introduced to the concept behind Woodhand’s latest mixtape, No Feelings. The Canadian duo is rooted in dark technotronic beats with drums and a synthesizer. The artist trades vocals from its full-length release Remorescape for a cappellas of famous and underground rappers — Lil Wayne’s “A Millie,” Ludacris’ “How Low” and the classic “Just A Friend” just to name a few. The group successfully remixed Kid Cudi’s “Day N Nite” into a heart-wrenching emotional story narrated by a lonely stoner, an organic take on the radio hit. Obviously connoisseurs of rap, the band flirts with underground rappers who bring it when placed over their beats, shedding light on the greatness under the radar. The mixtape has a few duds, (“M.A.N.S.L.U.T.S.” and the remix of B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ On You”) but they are surely made up for in the mixtape’s bangin’ tracks. The pay-what-you-want mixtape is fun to listen to and questions if artists could improve their music if they had Woodhand’s skills.
Spin These: “I Want A Day N Nite Together (ft. Kid Cudi),” “Dancer (ft. Reese)” and “CP2Low (ft. Ludacris)”
Download from the Paper Bags Records for a price of your choice here
XV – Vizzy Zone (Deluxe Edition)
XV has been hanging around the block for a while, putting out mediocre mixtape after above average mixtape. After signing with Warner Brothers Records this summer, he’s been able to hone his skills with the best in the game and really shine. The 25-year-old rapper raps about Star Wars, Video Games, and of course, the ever popular topic of ladies. Vizzy Zone features 17 tracks which feature guest appearances such as (recently Pitchfork hyped) Bun B, Chiddy Bang, and (Dook Grad) Mike Posner. He samples Kid Cudi’s “Cudi Zone” in “Vizzy Zone” and takes a page out of Cudder’s book in “Falling Awake,” exposing his thoughts and emotions. The beats are more on the techno side and really bump. From bedroom jams to club worthy beats, he covers the spectrum in this solid work of rhyme and reason. The Deluxe Edition has all the annoying DJ tags edited out for a seamless hour of straight rappin’.
Dope Lyric: “I’m modest as a mouse so my ego never float on”
Spin These: “Getting Bizzy,” “Familiar,” “Mirrors Edge” and “Falling Awake”
Download it here.
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