2019 Mixtape Awards

I take the DJ craft seriously, and it goes without saying that I put a lot of value in a quality mix. Music is currently viewed as disposable; like soda in a plastic cup.  Something that gives you a quick rush, and is then discarded.  People mostly listen to playlists now (the majority of which are created by robots or someone else), not albums. The thought of owning music has become a very specific niche. This niche is so specific that to release an LP on black vinyl would be considered commercial suicide.

This is the hostile musical climate that mixtapes are in. Creating a quality mix is very time consuming. To truly appreciate all the intricacies that are embedded within a quality mix (blends, song selection, drops, back-spins, timing of blends, word play, etc.); requires multiple listens. In a nutshell, a mix is basically the antithesis of everything the current-day music listener expects. As a result, mixes have essentially become a thing for us, by us. An auditory experience that is mostly appreciated by the select few who are capable of creating such an experience.

Though I find this reality to be unfortunate, I am not complaining (at least not here).  I say all this to emphasize my appreciation for the names and mixes below; as well as all those who found their way to this blog in 2019. On that note; I would like to devote particular praise to J. Rocc and House Shoes. In the case of J. Rocc; it should not be taken for granted that literally the best DJ on the planet is the most common name you'll see below.  In what other genre is the best in the game the most likely to release their art? In the case of House Shoes; he literally drops a mix every week! In the case of the two Dilla mixes he released this past February; you can clearly tell he put extra time into crafting those mixes.  That doesn't go unnoticed here. In fact, it is highly praised.

Side Note: A few of the below mixes are now behind paywalls that will require a $2/month fee to gain access. A very small price to pay IMO. If you disagree, you're at the wrong blog.

Top 19 Mixes of 2019 (mostly in order of release)
J. Rocc's AIS 2018 Megamix
Cassette Robot Radio "Sade Edition" - Mixed by DJ Soundwave
Soulection Radio #395 - J. Rocc Takeover (Dilla Edition)
Dilla Treats - Mixed by House Shoes
Dilla's Magic - Mixed by House Shoes
Golden Age Soul 5 - Mixed by Mattnyce
AIS Jay Dee Tribute (Parts 3 and 4) - Mixed by J. Rocc
Dope 80s Joints Part 1 and 2 - Mixed by DJ Revolution
AbcntMnded Radio -6 - Mixed by AbcntMnded
The Forty Five Kings Present DJ Bacon
Gravediggaz vs. Organized Konfusion - Mixed by DJ Filthy Rich
The Remedy Part 1 - Mixed by House Shoes
Up North Trips Presents 94 State of Mind - Mixed by Its Overture
J. Rocc Live on Worldwide FM (10/18/19)
SIMS Samples: Mighty Mos Def Edition
J. Rocc Live Mix on Touching Bass (11/16/19)
Readymade - Mixed by Deathhop
The Junkyard (All 7" Vinyl) - Mixed by DJ Platurn
Yesterdays Experience (YNQ Tribute) - Mixed by BeatPete

Top Mixes of 2019 (Unreleased)
J. Rocc's Thank You Jay Dee 2019 Part 2 (He may send it to you if you DM him with proof of your KPFK donation)
J. Rocc's Ras G Tribute (Donate to KPFK and there are pretty good odds you can own this as well)
JUX -Mixed by Omega:NYC (My favorite mix of 2019 that I'll post if I ever get permission to)

A Hip Hop Snob's Guide to the Best Music of 2019

Raps and Beats (mostly in order of release date)
Mach Hommy - Saturday Night Lights Vol. 1 and 2
DJ Muggs and Eto - Hell's Roof
Elcamino - Don't Eat the Fruit
Vic Spencer - Spencer for Hire 2
Maxo - Lil Big Man
DJ Muggs and Mach Hommy - Tuez-Les Tous
Bill Woods - Hiding Places
Your Old Droog - It Wasn't Even Close
Roc Marciano - The Prequel
Pistol Mcfly - Road Trip
Big Tone and House Shoes - Big Shoes
Benny the Butcher - The Plugs I Met
Mach Hommy - Wop Kon Joy
Madlib and Freddie Gibbs - Bandana 
Billy Woods - Terror Management
Westside Gunn - Flygod Is an Awesome God
DJ Muggs and Crimeapple - Medallo
Kill em All (DJ Muggs and Mach Hommy) - Kill em All
Kool Keith - KEITH
Little Brother - May the Lord Watch
Guilty Simpson - Actus Reus
Gang Starr - One of the Best Yet
Westside Gunn - Hitler Wears Hermes 7
Stalley - Reflection of Self: The Head Trip
DJ Muggs and Tha God Fahim - Dump Assassins
Roc Marciano - Marcielago

Beats, Hold the Raps (mostly in order of release date)
Jansport J - Stay True
Ras G - Down 2 Earth Vol. 3
Ras G - Down 2 Earth Vol. 4
Pete Rock - Return of the SP-1200
Ghost McGrady - Industry Plant
Daringer - Baker's Dozen
Dibia$e - Bonus Levels
The Koreatown Oddity - That's A No From Me Dog
Jazzsoon - The Sex Tape
Jansport J - Solo Sport
Sadhu - Gold Room
Jazzsoon - Heavy Archives 2 

Beats Lead, Raps Follow (mostly in order of release date)
Alchemist - Yacht Rock 2
J. Rocc - Remixes
Czardust (Ohbliv and Sadhugold) - The Ra(w) Material 

On Some Other Sh*t (mostly in order of release)
Solange - When I Get Home
Ras G - Dance of the Cosmos
Sun Ra - Haveford College,  Jan. 25, 1980 (Solo Rhodes Piano)
Miles Davis - Rubberband 

Jeyone Live Set on #FreshRadio

Breaks, remixes, classics; and mad skills on the tables.  Highly Recommended.

Ras G Appreciation Post #4

Two more sets from the late, great Ras G.

Happy Birthday Ras! Ras G Appreciation Post #3

A couple Ras G mixes I made from a the past. Hatian Space Program was specifically requested by Ras after he heard the Blended (Raw) Fruit and Cocaine Donuts mixes. I'm currently putting the finishing touches on a third mix, Dimenion: Space Base; that I'll release in the distant future. Happy Birthday Ras G.

Ras G Appreciation Week Post #2

My personal favorite Ras beat mix. There used to be soundcloud stream of this mix, but I think Boiler Room took it down.

Ras G Guest Mix for Andrew Meza's BTS Radio

Wednesday will mark what would have been Ras G's 41st year on the planet. Just about all of Ras' mixes are the stuff of legend. Here's one of my favorites from a few years back. If you enjoy Ras' mixes, you can buy a previously exclusive mix of his HERE, where proceeds will go to the Shorter family.

Dj Fly - Classic Hip Hop Mix (Live)

Major skills in effect here.

Southern Vanguard Radio Interview Shawn J. Period

Ever wonder what happened to the great Rawkus era producer, Shawn J. Period? If so, here you go.... Amazingly, Shawn J. explains his reasoning for halting his sample-based production style on moral grounds. I disagree with his reasoning, but I certainly respect it.

BANG! @southernvangard #radio presents the SHAWN J. PERIOD® interview session! If there was ever a week where Smithsonian Grade applied, this is it. We’re documenting history over here, Vangardians, not to mention giving ya’ll straight GAME - so fix your face, sit up straight, pay attention and take notes! This producer’s history and evolution over the years is remarkable - from getting signed by Rob “Reef” Tewlow & Stretch Armstrong to Big Beat / Atlantic Records in the early 90’s as part of hip-hop trio “Down South”, transitioning to a full time producer and being mentored by some of the best in the game like JuJu & V.I.C. of The Beatnuts, T-Ray and many more to being behind the boards for what could eventually be considered one of the biggest hip-hop singles of its time, not to mention a certified classic - Mos Def’s “Universal Magnetic” b/w “If You Can Huh You Can Hear”. Shortly after that, he took what seemed like an abrupt break from music to focus on family, but has been making a calculated return to the game as of late. We get on the horn with Shawn to talk about all of this and more, including his much welcomed re-entry to the scene after the extended hiatus, why he was unknowingly WAY ahead of his time by making a move to sample-free production in the late 90’s and how he’s leveraging his invaluable experiences to launch the next phase of his career in music. Shawn talks about the soon come debut of his sound design company, Drum Stacks, his partnership and upcoming podcast with Strong Island producer Kel C and how his relationship with Yasiin Bey (FKA Mos Def) has evolved over the years all while still maintaining their friendship. Don’t get it twisted - we get into some real nerd production ish too, but that’s way too much to get into here, so go ahead folks - press play without delay, ‘cause it’s most definitely that good good and ALWAYS that #SmithsonianGrade #TwiceAWeek #WeAreTheGard // southernvangard.com // @southernvangard on #applepodcasts #stitcherradio #soundcloud #mixcloud #youtube // #hiphop #rap #undergroundhiphop #boombap #DJ #mix #interview #podcast #ATL #WORLDWIDE #RIPCOMBATJACK
Recorded live December 1, 2019 @ Dirty Blanket Studios, Marietta, GA
southernvangard.com

Serato In the Mix: Yukibeb

Video is a great reminder that track selection and seamless blends is ultimately what makes a dope DJ, dope.  I'll take this "simple" set over an award winning DMC routine any day.

House Shoes' Magic (11/28/19) with C-Minus

The first half consists of House Shoes seamlessly blending choice cuts from his impeccable ear. The second half consists of C-Minus on the 1's and 2's mixing together an outstanding Ras G tribute of sorts.  Highly Recommended.