TMO10 - #10- Charles Hamilton -Snap Crackle Pop

Tis the season to be....graded fa la la la laaaaaaaa. I'm back to blogging. And without further words, I give you Things That Make You Learn's Top Mix tapes of 2010. At number ten, we have the crazed man by the name of Charles Hamilton.

Mr. Hamilton had one controversial year. It involved cancer, angry rants, disappearing from the face of the earth, and other things. He released around ten mix tapes that were pretty much all raw and rough. One stuck out among the rest. Hamilton released Snap Crackle Pop in October, which featured freestyles over todays beats. From the likes of Lloyd's Beamer Benz or Bentley and Lil Wayne's Comfortable, Hamilton really gave his own on this tracks.

He is one hell of a producer and I hope things turn around for him. He is a young man and aren't all great musicians crazy?

1. Charles Is Wack 2
2. Cozy
3. Dreamer Friends Are Pretty
4. Feisty Scholarship Fund
5. Over 36 Hours
6. Pharmacutical Pedicure
7. Public Domain Music
8. Yit Tit Tee

Download: Charles Hamilton - Snap Crackle Pop [Usershare]

Download: Charles Hamilton- And Then They Played Dilla (Mixtape)

The month of February contains some important values to myself. My birthday lies within the month (February 18, 1992), it's Black History Month, the 2010 Olympics, and famed producer J. Dilla's birthday and death. J. Dilla is one of the more recognized producers in the game who died in 2006 after a cardiac arrest. His legacy and beats continue to be sampled throughout music today.

Back in 2008, up and coming rapper Charles Hamilton released a tribute mixtape called And Then They Play Dilla. The tribute mixtape contains beats that were released from Jay Dee with Charles going over them. It's been one of my hidden secrets for a while now. DJ Skee also works with Charles on this one, which gives the tape a very, vintage feel. For people who only know Charles Hamilton for the gimmicks, he has a heart.

Standout Tracks: Convincedindecision, Krispy Kreme Intentions, What's Going On

download: mediafire

Download: B.o.B- May 25th (Mixtape)

As you saw on my top mixtapes of 2009 list, B.o.B aka Bobby Ray was featured for his effort B.o.B. vs. Bobby Ray. In order to build some hype up for his new album The Great Adventures Of Bobby Ray, he has released May 25th, the mixtape to signify when his album will be released. The mixtape includes artists such as J.Cole, Charles Hamilton, and Asher Roth. It also includes production from Kanye West and the Alchemist.


download: mediafire

TTMYL: 1/31/10: The SinglEP

The first installment of the Sunday 'SinglEP'. The name of the EP isn't so creative, but it represents what songs over took my ear..aka being single. Below each song you'll find an explanation and what not.

Tracklist:

1. Charles Hamilton- Hockey Kitty (Off of the upcoming mixtape The Binge Vol. 3: Charles Hamilton's Last Mixtape)

One of the weirdest mc's in the game today. Charles Hamilton has made his comeback and his goodbye? In December, CH released Normalcy (which is a personal favorite of mine). When it looked like Charles was back and ready to tear, he releases Hockey Kitty off of his "last mixtape". In a recent UStream showing, Hamilton told his fans that he would still be in the music game but would be exploring other elements of music. Why? I'm not too sure. Hamilton goes over Jay Z's 'Thank You'.

2. Kyle Lucas- ThisLuv (Off of the upcoming mixtape It's Always Sunny in Marietta)

Back when I used to write for The Daily Chorus, we helped develop bands into what would benefit them the best. One of those bands was Georgia's Vonnequtt. The lead singer is Kyle Lucas, who's been rapping and sorts for years. He's one of my personal favorite underground mc's in the game right now and in ThisLuv, he goes over Maroon 5's beat with the help of his band mates. No thoughts on this song, just straight fire.

3. Big Sean- Super Dupa Lemonade (Off of the upcoming mixtape Finally Famous Vol. 3)

I get to see Big Sean this month (February) with his boy Mike Posner. Big Sean goes over Gucci Mane's beat right here and I've been listening to this song for three days straight. With over 30 plays already, you can tell this song is where it's at. He even gives Darko Milicek a shoutout. C'mon now.

4. Drake- Zone

When I first heard the track, I was disgusted. However, it's grown on me for a while. Becoming a quick favorite.

5. Jarrod Gorbel- Ten Years Older (From JG's Daytrotter Session)

One of my favorite websites works with one of my favorite solo artists. Former Honorary Title frontman Jarrod Gorbel recently visited the Daytrotter studios to record the famous 'Daytrotter Session'. Gorbel plays songs from his new EP as well as an Honorary Title b-side. Worth the download. Listen to the track and tell me you understand the message.

6. Emilio Rojas- Tic Toc (Off of the mixtape The Natural)

A guy I forgot on my top mixtapes list. Emilio Rojas dropped one of the more surprising mixtapes of 2009 with The Natural. He hooked up with DJ Green Lantern to bring you this one. The track Tic Toc talks about a relationship, with the title explaining what's happening.

'Tic toc time is slipping away'


download: sendspace

Download: Show Tufli – Period (2010)

I'm going to be short and sweet right here: Show Tufli goes off on "Period". This seven song mixtape features Charles Hamilton and the hot spitta Vado. Overall, the tape is pretty dope. Contains some powerful rap for those L-rides and whatever you guys do with your lives...

1. Hot
2. Do What She Wanna
3. Whatever I Like
4. Like Won’t Go
5. Sweet Affection
6. Sense Ability w/ Charles Hamilton
7. Star f. Vado

download: sendspace

Download: Mickey Factz- thedarkphoenix: ALPHA (2010)

Yeah I'm back. After a well needed break, I'm back. Just like Charles Hamilton and now Mickey Factz. True: we all don't really know who Mickey Factz is. He's appeared in a few songs and whatnot. He released his mixtape, "The Leak Vol. 2: The Inspiration" which featured artists such as Drake, The Cool Kids, and Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes. For the past month or so, Factz has been brewing a storm for his new EP/Mixtape "thedarkphoenix: ALPHA". The tape contains Mickey doing his thing on a slew of songs by the group Phoenix.

To say the least, this EP is pure dope. Factz's goes hard on every track. Below is a download link as well a little description of each song by Mickey himself.

download: mediafire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Sunrise

With all of my projects, I let all of my emotions and feelings out on one song. Just me writing as much as I possibly can and letting the feel of the beat dictate my tone. At the time of me painting this record, I wanted to have a feeling of overcoming. In hindsight that’s what the sun does everyday, overcome the night. I used the sun as a metaphor to convey these emotions.

[Color/s: Red, Blue & Green]

2. Amnesia

A lot of people forget that I can actually rap. I get that feeling a lot. All the time. So with how I approach my freestyles, I try to spit over instrumentals and loops that nobody would dare use. Justice is one of my favorite groups and “Let There Be Light” is one of my favorite records from them. So I did what I did best: Paint.

[Color/s: Green]

3. Turn It Up

A preview of what’s to come in 2010. This song is featured on DJ Amplive’s project dropping this year. Enjoy it while you can.

[Color/s: Red & Green]

4. Still I Rise

Whatever happened to the anthems? What happened to the songs to help us get through struggles? I’ve felt down at times. I’ve hit rock bottom. I’ve lost my mind a couple of times that I can remember. However, through it all, still I rise. Maya Angelou’s famous poem is a prophetic message for me in my life. Nothing will or can tear me down as long as I’m breathing. And if I can believe that, so should you.

[Color/s: Blue & Green]

5. Ashes

In the midst of enjoying life, there is pain. During the recording process, that’s exactly what I felt. I know how to place my life in records very well. For example, when certain people get depressed, they smoke. Its like an extension of sighing almost. I named the song ashes to remind us that when we go through certain things, the unnecessary things, then it’s time to dump those ashes. Ashes fall off the end of a cigarette very easily and when u fall for someone so should minuscule problems.

[Color/s: Blue]

6. S/ecrets T/hat D/estroy

The premise and subject of this song is often strayed away from. I wanted to touch base on something that’s affecting the world day by day. Usually when we get wind of a secret, we’re supposed to hold onto it until death. Ironically, the particular secrets I talk about bring forth death, destruction and despair.

[Color/s: Red]

7. Contemplations Of A King

I was born a prince. All of us are born into royalty. In order to inherit the upper echelon of what’s inevitable, you have to figure out life’s quarrels. There are so many hurdles to deter you. Succeeding in conquering these quarrels takes patience, wisdom and contemplation. Through that, you will realize your true potential.

[Color/s: Red & Blue]

8. Sunset

The Phoenix is a mythical creature who rises from the ashes, creating a surge of fire to reach its peak. Watching the sunset is like experiencing the gates of heaven open up before your eyes. Most people have seen so many wonders in life always anticipating the next greatest thing. When in reality, their life is the greatest experience they will live. We must live each day like the phoenix, as the sun sets to see the unimaginable of the next.

[Color/s: Red, Blue & Green]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bonus: Mickey Factz- The Lost Exhibit

-Mickey goes over the untouchable beat from Jay Electronica. And he does it well.

download: usershare