TMO10 - #5- Big Sean - Finally Famous Vol. 3

Big Sean is...indescribably. You really just don't know when he's going to release something. Finally Famous Volume. 3 is a clear example of Big Sean's mysterious character. The tape was supposed to premier in 2009. But it never came out. Then it was supposed to come out in March...but it never came out. Finally, G.O.O.D. M.U.S.I.C. and Sean's camp got their toots tuned and released this duel packed mixtape in August.

The tape features Tyga, Chiddy (of Chiddy Bang), Drake, Mike Posner, and many more. There's a reason why it's number 5 on my list.

Download: Big Sean - Finally Famous Vol. 3 [DatPiff]

TMO10 - #6- Nique - X.XIII

At number six, we have the up comer Nique. Thanks for DJ Booth's freestyle series, I discovered Nique shouting over J.Cole's "Top of the World". Quite frankly, I thought he went harder than Cole world. Some might call me crazy but it had me sold. He released X.XIII in October, his latest mixtape. Every year or so, I discover a new artist and keep him to myself. Nique was that artist for 2010. Do yourself a favor, jump on the wagon asap.

Download: Nique - X.XIII [His Website]

TMO10 - #7- OnCue - Leftovers

I used to have a rule when making this list. If the tape came out after November, it was not going to be considered. However that rule has went bye bye. Exception to the Rule: OnCue. I was not too familiar with OnCue. I've heard his tracks before and nothing really stuck out. He just seemed like a more polished version of Mac Miller and Asher Roth. However, OnCue has left 2010 with a great taste in my mouth. Those Thanksgiving Leftovers are worth the spin.

Leftovers is a great ode to the birth of an up and coming rapper. There's not much more for me to say. Just give the tape a spin and agree with me.

Download: OnCue - Leftovers [Mediafire]

TMO10 - #8- Tyga - Well Done

Tyga, Tyga comes in at number 8 on the Things That Make You Learn Top Mixtapes of 2010 list. While he does not have a debut album with Young Money yet, he has released a slew of mixtapes. In November Tyga released Well Done, which featured freestyles upon freestyles. Imagine Tyga going over J. Cole's "Who Dat"...check or even Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow"... the rapper from the west coast has done it all.

What still remains my favorite aspect of Tyga's rapping style is his nagging voice flowing over and over with no breathes. While he might have some corny lines, he still delievers quality track after quality track. Be sure to check out Tyga mans freestyle over "Teach Me How To Dougie".

TMO10 - #9- B.o.B. - May 25th

B.o.B. has one hell of a year. Depending on what kind of fan you are, we saw the development of one of the most talked about performers in the business right now. While he lost most credibility with his single "Airplanes", he still pleases the old fans with his mix tapes. Bobby Ray just released his new mix tape, No Genre this week. But I'm not talking about that tape.

Earlier in 2010, B.o.B. released May 25th in an effort to beef up our ears until his debut album. Quite frankly, he did just that. May 25th contains the classic B.o.B. we know, with the help of heavy weights J. Cole and Asher Roth. Certainly, he's going in the right direction as he has been nominated for 5 Grammys.

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: Wale - More About Nothing [Mixtape]

For once, Wale has released a mixtape when he said it'd be released. Grant it, a few server issues and a thirty minute delay, we are graced with one of the most annticipated releases of 2010. Wale gives us the second dose of the Seinfeld love with More About Nothing. If you were a fan of The Mixtape About Nothing, then you're going to appreciate this one just as much. The tape features Wiz Khalfia, Roscoe Dash, Tre from UCB and others.

All I'm going to say is it's great that Wale proved he doesn't need 40 guests on a mixtape. The go-goer throws us his best pitch right here. Download link below.

Download: Wale - More About Nothing [Mediafire]

Download: Astronautalis & DJ Fishr Pryce - DANCEHALLHORNSOUND!!!!!

I remember hearing about this guy a while back. It might have been in 2008 or earlier. His name is Astronautalis. He's signed to one of my friends label, Eyeball Records. When Marc first signed Astronautalis, I was kind of saying to myself, "What the $*#(". The label is a predominately indie based label signing some white rapper out in the northwest. Well, the signing finally makes sense.

This mixtape was released earlier this year, I think around March. Astronautalis teams up with DJ Fishr Pryce and gives us, DANCEHALLHORNSOUND!!!!! It's about two miles better than Sam Adams and a huge step above Asher Roth. The tape features P.O.S and Tegan and Sara. The artwork is kind of disgusting, but I'm not part of the marketing campaign. Download link below.

Track list:

1. Do You Believe in Life After Thugs?
2. The Secrets of the Undersea Bell
3. Trouble Hunters
4. Avalanche Patrol
5. Run! (feat. Nobs)
6. The Case of William Smith
7. Mr. Blessington's Imperialist Plot
8. Voicemail Freestyle: P.O.S & Jake
9. Seaweed Sheets
10. Learn to Listen (feat. Andrre & Pierre the Motionless)
11. turns out...this wasn't Gomez' number?
12. Voicemail Freestyle: Tegan & Sara
13. Down and Out in the Bold New City of the South
14. Voicemail Freestyle: Mike Wiebe

Astronautalis & DJ Fishr Pryce - DANCEHALLHORNSOUND!!!!! [Mediafire]

Download: Freddie Gibbs - Str8 Killa No FIlla (Mixtape)

I cannot remember a time I anticipated a record/mixtape as much as I did with Freddie Gibbs Str8 Killa No Filla. The mixtape features Jay Rock, Pill, Bun B and others. I'm gonna stop talking from here because there's going to be a review soon. Download link below.

Download: XXL

Download: Lupe Fiasco - BMF (Building Minds Faster) Freestyle

As it seems that the whole internet has petitioned for Lasers to be released, Lupe Fiasco has decided to drop a new freestyle over Rick Ross's track, "BMF (Building Minds Faster!)". Personally, I feel that I could have done a better job because it's really not that good. Still worth a listen or two. Download link below!

Lupe Fiasco - BMF (Building Minds Faster!) Freestyle [Mediafire]

Lyrical Chatter: Limbeck - Don't Turn Around, She's Not Worth It

The funny thing about music is it's like the internet. Whatever you make never goes away. This week's Lyrical Chatter column features the band Limbeck. Their one of those bands that never really gets the appreciation that they deserve. We will be listening to the previously un-released track, 'Don't Turn Around, She's Not Worth It'.

The title of the track is a story of itself, until you listen to the lyrics in dept. The track was originally released on the Doghouse 100 compilation, then re-recorded for their latest effort, The Delicacy of Living Modestly.

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leaving now and it's so nice out i think that i could blind myself watching the sun go down play the radio loud i don't want to go but i gotta go now six hours to go until i show up back home i pull up to some kind payphone to hear the sweetest noise come out i played the radio loud i don't want to go but i gotta go now i heard the sweetest noise come out from the payphone i wanna turn around don't let time take the thrill while i'm away cause if you let it take the thrill this whole thing's a waste i played the radio loud i didn't want to go but to turn around i heard the sweetest noise come out from the payphone but it's such a joke now i didn't want to go home but i like my home now

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Vocalist Robb McClean tells his story about going back and forth between a girl. He doesn't know if he should leave because he's obviously spent a significant amount of his life with her. He talks about how the partner shouldn't let time take the thrill because it will all go wrong. The thrill in this case is love and how she should just move on just like he did. At the end of the track, McClean states, "I didn't want to go home/but i like my home now" describing how he's content with how he's living now without her.

Limbeck - Don't Turn Around, She's Not Worth It [MultiUpload]

Review: Rugz D. Bewler - Bewler's Day Off

Rugz D. Bewler - Bewler’s Day Off

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off meet Bewler’s Day Off. The name’s are similar, but that’s where it ends. Meet Rugz D. Bewler, New York based Rapper. Coming up through the NYC, you have to make a name for yourself. Pretty much, if you’re beats and rhymes sound the same as some else, then you’re going to be in the shadow. So how does one get noticed? Ask Rugz D. Bewler.

With the releasing of the mixtape, Bewler’s Day Off, we are graced with groovy disco dance beats (“Don’t Dance”), doing exactly what we thought: partying. We even have some romance throughout the mixtape (“Love” & “Sexy Time”). But every recording artist needs a song freestyle over a british cutie. Bewler does just that with his freestyle over Lily Allen’s “Oh My God”. While the song is mainly dominated by Allen, Bewler donates a few bars for our listening pleasure. Rugz doesn’t stop there.

The tool he uses on this record that other artists don’t do is: showing different emotions in different songs. Sure, you can have concept mixtapes (aka: stories) or just similar sounding mixtapes (aka: Jay Rock, Drake, etc…). Rugz D. Bewler delivers with the help of Skotch Davis and former basketball great Stalley (“Bend Her Over [Life’s A Bitch]”). Throughout the song, you hear the chorus, “Life’s a bitch and I’m gonna bend her over.” The line might not mean much, but it shows the extended emotions used to complete Bewler’s Day Off.

I could go on more about the mixtape, but why be the spoiler? Bewler’s Day Off is something to listen to the next time you’re looking for something new and different. As my ears listened, my heart loved. Download Rugz D. Bewler’s “Bewler’s Day Off”.

Rating: 8.0

Worth Listening: “Cobra Kai”, “Oh My God”, “Love”

Rugz D. Bewler - Bewler's Day Off [DatPiff]

Download: Black Lips / Pierced Arrows - Scion A/V Garage

One of my friends in the industry sent me this a while ago and I passed up on it. He sent me it again today and I decided to give it a listen. It's a duel release from the Black Lips and Pierced Arrows. Two tracks or pure rawness. Not really my cup of tea, but some of you will enjoy this. Download link below.

Black Lips / Pierced Arrows - Scion A/V Garage [Mediafire]

Download: Ab-Soul - LongTerm2: Lifestyles Of The Broke And Almost Famous

When it comes to HipHop and Rap, I'm down to listen to anything really. I'll give it a try. If it's good, I'll write about it. If it's weak, I'll just throw it in the trash bin. This guy Ab-Soul just released his latest mixtape, LongTerm2: Lifestyles Of The Broke And Almost Famous. I mean, is it Album Of The Year material? No. Is it worth a listen? Sure.

Be sure to listen to the track 'Turn Me Up', which features Kendrick Lamar (Who I've never enjoyed prior to this song). Download link below.

Ab-Soul - LongTerm2: Lifestyles Of The Broke And Almost Famous [Usershare]

Download: Nick Torres- Live At Glamour Kills

Going back to my old roots now, I used to be in love with Northstar. From 7th grade through 9th grade, they were all I played. They are still one of my favorite bands that I constantly listen to. Nowadays, the band never performs for reunion shows. Hell, Nick Torres and Cassino don't even play cover songs..until now.

Nick Torres, formally the lead singer of Northstar, played a ten song set for a Glamour Kills Birthday Party. Minus the talking in the background, it's pretty sweet to listen to and it's a keepsake kinda thing if you really love Northstar. I apologize about the rip. There's a delay in the for about three seconds on each track.

Track List:

1. Between Horns and Halos

2. Broken Parachute

3. Chesterfield King

4. For Members Only

5. Governor

6. Pollyanna

7. The Pornographer's Daughter

8. Rigged and Ready

9. To My Better Angel

10. Two Zero Two

Download: Mediafire

Look What I Found: Lindsey Mcfly

You never know what you're going to find on Facebook. Usually, it's your 'friends' making annoying posts where you just block them off your feed (Like half of my friends). Others go to socialize and some play MindJolt Games. Occasionally, I'll have some artist add me asking me to listen to their music. Usually, I decline. This time I took a chance.

Lindsey Mcfly decided to add me on Facebook today, having one friend in common Theophilus London. First off, I felt like denying the guy because of the terrible moniker/stage name. His default picture intrigued me enough to click on his Band Camp page. Anyways, the song I played on his page was pretty nice. Something to lay back and lose yourself to. That song is called 'Money'.

Below, you'll find a link to his Band Camp page, accompanied by a link to his latest mixtape, Best I Am. It's worth a listen. If not, blame it on me.

Lindsey Mcfly - Best I Am [Mediafire]

BandCamp

Download: Summer Solstice Volume #1

This is a mixtape I made about a week ago and posted it on my other blog, You Are Now In The Clouds With... It's a pretty chill mixtape, featuring HipHop and Indie together. Nothing really underground, but none the less it's worth the download.

Track list:

1. B.o.B - Past My Shades (Featuring Lupe Fiasco)

2. The Black Keys - Ten Cent Pistol

3. Blu - So Perfect

4. Childish Gambino - Bitch Look At Me Now (Two Weeks)

5. Here We Go Magic - Collector

6. Theophilus London - Julia (Remix)

7. Steel Train - Bullet

8. Greta Morgan - Children in the 90s (I’m Not The Same)

9. Wiz Khalifa - We’re Done

10. Lupe Fiasco - Daydreamin F. Jill Scott

11. The National - Afraid of Everyone

12. Beach House - Zebra

13. The Drums - I Felt Stupid.

Download: Megaupload

Download: Skyzoo & Illmind - Frisbee

The first single off of Skyzoo and Illmind's album. Man I sure do love my Skyzoo.

Skyzoo & Illmind - Frisbee [Usershare]

Download: The Morning Benders - EchoMix1

One of my favorite Indie suits, The Morning Benders, decided to lend their ears to SayMayday.com with a Summer Mix. The track list is below and it's one big song. In my opinion, I feel like this is going to be a very nice summer thanks to someones ear. Chris Chu has a taste for music.

1. Steve Martin & Bernadette Peters “Tonight You Belong To Me“
2. Xavier Cugat “Perfidia (Instrumental)“
3. The Avalanches “Since I Left You“
4. The Radio Dept “Where Damage Isn’t Already Done“
5. The Walkmen “There Goes My Baby (The Drifters Cover)“
6. Bibio “Lovers’ Carvings“
7. The Morning Benders “Have One On Me (Joanna Newsom / J Dilla Cover)“
8. Twin Sister “Lady Daydream (Cassette Version)“
9. Arthur Russell “Lucky Cloud“
10. Blur “Caravan“
11. Smokey Robinson and The Miracles “Ooo Baby Baby”

Download: SayMayday

Lyrical Chatter: Owen - Abandoned Bridges

Heart ache, heart break; the few words that come to mind when thinking about Mike Kinsella, the man behind the solo moniker Owen. I've been a big fan of Owen since 2006, when I first started getting into music. With every release prior and afterwards, Kinsella has discussed some of the most disturbing stories you'll hear, except he can make them sound beautiful. A man with a mission behind an acoustic.

He's back at it again with the releasing of the Abandoned Bridges 7" vinyl that has found it's path to the internet like usual. The plastic includes a new track entitled 'Abandoned Bridges', along with a Wilco cover 'I'm Always In Love'. Without the lyrics in front of my eyes, this has become somewhat tricky to decipher what is being said while writing my thoughts down.

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i left the party pretty early

i thought i'd go home

drink some wine and fuck myself

i didn't want to wake you

as a man, i've known a number of loves

some of which i'll die with,

some i'm not too proud of

i've lived, loved and learned

said fire to abandoned bridges and watched them burn

here i am, i'm all yours

i've had enough small talk and irony

i've had enough hermetic misogyny

i've had enough repeating history

i've had enough so i left the part.

i pulled matt aside and said, "it's time to go."

said "fire" to a room of friends I don't know

here i am, i'm all yours

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To sum it up, Kinsella discusses about past relationships in which failed. He talks about his hatred for 'hermetic misogyny', in which means difficult to understand and hatred for females. He's had enough of repeating the same path and decided to lead a new life. He is now happily married with one child.

Owen- Abandoned Bridges [Mediafire]