There’s no telling how many thoroughly mediocre major label rap records I’ve listened to over the last five years, where a Jake One beat spikes up and briefly salvages things. Along with Alchemist and Tree, he is one of a handful of producers who can still flip a soul sample in a way that makes me rise out of a coma. And his Freeway and White Van Music albums remain some of the best albums of the last few years that remind me of traditional underground rap records, without being overly nostalgic towards traditional underground rap records. That is to say, this is a good compilation that covers the sprawl.
Download the Mix at The Best Men’s website.
Tracklist:
01. TI – Salute
02. Rakim – Won’t Be Long
03. Jake One – The Truth ft. Freeway
04. 2Pac – Resist The Temptation
05. Brother Ali – I Can’t Wait
06. Scarface – High Note
07. Joy Denalane – Let Go
08. Freundeskreis – FK 10
09. 50 Cent – All Of Me ft. Mary J. Blige
10. Rick Ross – 3 Kings ft. Dr. Dre & Jay-Z
11. Snoop Dogg – Gangbang Rookie ft. Pilot
12. D. Black – Yah Have Mercy (Skit)
13. Scoe – Thank You ft. Kendrick Lamar
14. J. Pinder – All That Fire
15. Young Buck – Buck The World
16. Choklate – Incredible
17. Brother Ali – Haunted Housebroken (Skit)
18. Jake One – She Makes Me Feel Alright ft. Freeway
19. Jake One – Glow ft. Elzhi
20. Evidence – Down In New York City
21. Lil’ Scrappy – Nigga, What’s Up ft. 50 Cent
22. 50 Cent – Movin’ On Up
