Mixtapes

Mixtape: Dougie F – Block Party

Marisa Mendez Leave a Comment

Dougie F - Block Party_LifeIsTremendez

Mad Decent signee (and JERSEY native) Dougie F comes to close out the summer with a brand new mixtape, Block Party.

Premiered by The FADER, the 14-track project shows Dougie‘s growth as an artist, proving he can branch out beyond the Jersey club sound he perfected with his breakout hit, “Back Up On It.”

“From the block to the world—that’s how I see my life and my music,” Dougie said about the mixtape’s title. “The projects was rough for anyone but Fridays made it all worth the struggle it seems. Fridays always felt like a block party.”

Stream and download Block Party below.
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Mixtape: Kehlani – You Should Be Here (+ Music Video)

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Kehlani - You Should Be Here_LifeIsTremendez

Just days after her 20th birthday, singer/songwriter Kehlani released the follow-up to her critically acclaimed breakout mixtape Cloud 19, You Should Be Here.

The 14-track project features guest appearances from Chance The Rapper, BJ the Chicago Kid and more, and of course plenty of production from Kehlani‘s magic-making producer, Jahaan Sweet.

“thank you heartbreak and thank you new found love this mixtape wouldn’t b possible without cha,” the pint-sized songstress wrote on Twitter amidst RTs of the outpouring of love from fans, friends and industry peers around the world. “for anyone asking… yes I wrote every word on YSBH.. no co writers.. no one in the room but me..”

Stream the project below, as well as the video for its title track. YSBH is also available on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon. Support a real one!
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#TBT Mixtape: Nicki Minaj – Playtime Is Over

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Nicki_Minaj_Playtimes_Over-front-large

In April or May of 2007 (my sophomore year of college,) I was riding in the car with my then-boyfriend, excitedly listening to Lil Wayne‘s new mixtape The Drought 3, when I heard a really dope female voice on “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop.” Interest piqued (as I always appreciate a dope chick,) I picked up the case to see what name was listed, and made a mental note to Google “Nicki Minaj” when I got home later that day.

After some Googling in my dorm that night, I landed on her MySpace page, and I was excited to see she was SUPER fly, and had a few more really good songs as well. Being the random person that I am, I sent her a message and told her how much I was feeling her stuff, and asked how I could get my hands on more. She wrote back pretty quickly and was super sweet, thanking me and letting me know her debut mixtape would be dropping in about a month. She even left one of those ridiculous glittery “showing love” GIF’s on my comments that we all used to use. LOL!
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#TBT Mixtape: Ty Dolla $ign – Beach House

Marisa Mendez Leave a Comment

Ty_Dolla_ign_Beach_House-front-large

Ty Dolla $ign released his Beach House mixtape in October of 2012, hosted by DJ Ill Will and DJ Mustard. This would go on to be the first of 2 installments in the Beach House series, followed by his debut EP of the same name in January of 2014, as well as a tour.

The 13-track mixtape featured hits like “My Cabana,” “4 A Young” and “Know Y I Came,” (all 3 of which are in my “Top 25 Most Played” on iTunes) as well as collabs with IAMSU!, Kid Ink, Joe Moses, Dom Kennedy…and even production by PartyNextDoor, way before the OVO co-sign!

Y’all know I love Ty Dolla $ign everything, but this body of work is definitely my favorite from him as a whole…so far. His debut album, Free TC, will be arriving later this year, and I know that’s going to be insane too! Get Beach House below, plus a few music videos from the project as well.
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(Video) Mike Zombie Releases ‘Rebel Without A Cause’ Album

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rwac

After a few months of letting the music video for “616” marinate on everyone’s TV screens, Mike Zombie has finally released his long-awaited debut studio album, Rebel Without A Cause. This is a landmark project for too many reasons to list in a simple blog post, but the main reason being that this is and will be one of the most critically acclaimed projects to release out of New Jersey this year alongside very few others.

Mike Zombie initially made waves by producing several of his own full length mixtapes, before becoming producer of Drake‘s “Started From The Bottom,” the lead single from 2013’s Nothing Was The Same album and DJ Khaled‘s “They Don’t Love You No More” featuring Rick Ross, French Montana, Meek Mill and Jay Z. Some time later, even Remy Ma came along for a memorable remix. Pretty star-studded names for a guy from a small town in NJ, but he’s been a left-field thinker for quite some time, so the accolades shouldn’t surprise anyone.

I’m most excited for this album, because with its undeniable east coast bounce, it gives me some new music to spin at the skating rink! The production is versatile, and the stories range from late nights around town with the homies, keeping it real through the industry and his new-found fame, and where he plans to go next. The project is definitely an upgrade from his last mixtape The End of the Beginning as far as beat selection and lyricism. Not many producers crossover well into rapping on their own beats (or just rapping well period), but with this body of work, Mike Zombie is proving that he’s more than just a producer.

Enjoy Mike Zombie‘s Rebel Without A Cause via iTunes.

HarleyQuinn_NJ
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Mixtape: Dave East – Straight Outta Harlem

Marisa Mendez Leave a Comment

East

Orchestrated by Scram Jones, Harlem rapper Dave East comes through with a gift for fans just before the holiday, Straight Outta Harlem. The 20-track mixtape is a mixture of new songs and new freestyles, and serves as the follow-up to his recently released EP, Black Rose. The kid is working!

Stream and download Straight Outta Harlem below, then head to MTV to check out his latest video, “Around Here.”
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Mixtape: Kehlani – Cloud 19

Marisa Mendez Leave a Comment

LifeIsTremendez_Kehlani - Cloud 19 mixtape cover

19-year-old Oakland native Kehlani is next up. The singer/songwriter, who currently holds down the coveted First Lady role of Bay Area collective Heartbreak Gang and is co-managed by Nick Cannon, comes with powerhouse vocals and content that makes you question how she could possibly be so young but touch on topics that we can relate to at any age.

Her latest release is an 8-track mixtape, with features from her HBK CEO, IAMSU!, as well as singer Kyle Dion. I usually pick one standout track from each project but I’m torn between 2 on this one: “Get Away” and the Su-assisted “Act A Fool.” Listen and download Cloud 19 below. For more info, visit Kehlani‘s official website here.
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