In the days leading up to and including Christmas, a bevy of mainstream and underground acts alike took the opportunity to gift their fans with free releases, some of them even themed after the holiday itself. Browsing your favorite blogs will pull up more than a dozen releases over the past week, but below are five of our favorite Christmastime hip-hop releases.
Spitta has been a good kid this year by continuing his consistent stream of mixtapes and EPs while still managing to drop his major label debut Stoned Immaculate. After dropping Priest Andretti on Halloween, he returned this Christmas with Young Rod for another short EP 3-Piece Set. Even though the project is only three songs, they’re all winners, continuing with the jazzy, smoke-ready sound beds that compliment his nimble ‘Nawlins drawl.
Ambition was Wale’s true breakthrough record in 2011, but the DMV emcee is perhaps most respected for his storied mixtape history, which has drawn from the likes of electronic music and the TV show “Seinfeld” for influences. On Christmas Eve, he enlisted DJ Clark Kent for Folarin, a tape that Wale refers to as a “culmination of every mixtape I’ve ever had.” The disc succeeds with a mix of grittier songs like the Nottz-produced “Skool Daze,” and club-ready records like “The One Eye Kitten Song,” which features a Travis Porter cameo and a beat by Diplo. Other guests and producers include Rick Ross, Scarface, French Montana, Trinidad James and more.
Atlanta producer Mike WiLL Made It ran radio in 2012 with credits including Future’s “Turn On The Lights,” 2Chainz and Drake’s “No Lie,” Juicy J’s “Bandz A Make her Dance,” Rihanna’s “Pour It Up,” and the drums on Kanye West’s “Mercy.” To celebrate his success and keep his momentum into the new year, he teamed with DJ Drama for Est In 1989 2.5, a compilation that pairs some of his 2012 hits with new songs that feature the likes of Big Sean, B.o.B, Chief Keef and others. If this is any sign, Mike WiLL Made It’s run is nowhere near over.
Brooklyn's 17-year-old Joey BadA$$ turned heads this year with his stellar 1999 mixtape and a standout performance at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. In rap tradition, he’s bringing his crew along with him. Pro Era made its formal introduction with PEEP The aPROcalypse on December 21, and the ‘Net was buzzing about the group of teenagers’ talented rhyme skills and beats by the likes of Statik Selektah and Lee Bannon. The disc also will unfortunately also be associated with tragedy, as news of an apparent suicide by group member Capital STEEZ, 19, surfaced just days later on Christmas Eve.