Image via Complex Original
Spotify is good for a lot of things: access to full albums, offline listening, the ability to choose the specific song you want to hear and, unlike Pandora, an unlimited amount of opportunities to press the ‘skip’ button. Its catalog however, isn’t always the best. Although the digital music service boasts a library of more than 18 million songs, if your taste is anything other than average it’ll be hard for you to find some of the more obscure artists and titles. And by obscure we mean, anything that hasn’t hit the Top 40 chart.
We’re willing to acknowledge that it might be difficult for Spotify to get its hands on every single album out there, especially due to copyright laws. But mixtapes, c’mon! Here's a list of the 25 Mixtapes We Wish Were on Spotify but are notably absent.
Written by Brooklyne Gipson (@brooklyne)
Act 1: Eternal Sunshine (the pledge)
Artist: Jay Electronica
Release Date: 2007
Upon it's release in 2008, Jay Electronica's Act 1: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge) helped to solidify his position as one of the most talked about (yet still, hardest to reach) rappers in the game. Electronica borrowed from the soundtrack of the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind for 15 minutes of continuous music almost as enigmatic as the rapper himself. We're thinking the short and sweet project might help tide us over until Jay finally decides to put an end to the embargo on his music.
No Mercy, No Fear
Artist: 50 Cent
Release Date: 2002
With as many mixtapes as 50 Cent has released throughout his career it's not surprising that Spotify missed a few. Kudos to the digital music service for including 50 Cent is the Future but where's No Mercy, No Fear? Valued for more than it's commercial hit "Wanksta," 50's second mixtape is one of those that you throw on when you're in the mood to reminisce about the hungry early days of G-Unit.
Best of Biggie Smalls
Artist: DJ Mr. Cee
Release Date: 2007
Back in the day DJ Mr. Cee's Best of Biggie Smalls was everything. Full of never before heard songs, features, and freestyles from the Notorious B.I.G., the tape and its 2007 anniversary re-release are must haves. The original takes listeners on a nostalgic trip back to the early to mid's 90s and helps to illustrate just how ahead of his time Biggie was lyrically.
How Fly
Artist: Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y
Release Date: 2009
It was a dream come true for Jet Lifers and the Taylor Gang when smoke buddies Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa paired up for 2009's How Fly. Unfortunately this epic project is another project overlooked by Spotify. Perhaps Wiz and Spitta will make it up to us by finally delivering on the promise of the Live in Concert mixtape.
Rich Forever
Artist: Rick Ross
Release Date: 2012
It might be a little premature to list Rich Forever, but at the time of its release it was the most-downloaded mixtape in Internet history and would only be surpassed by MMG signee Meek Mill's Dreamchasers 2--further proving that Ross' rap skills are only rivaled by his skills as an A&R. The tape plays like an album and with a number of high profile features from Diddy, Nas, Pharrell, Drake, John Legend, and Kelly Rowland, there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to live stream the free project on Spotify.
4EvaNaDay
Artist: Big K.R.I.T.
Release Date: 2012
All but K.R.I.T.'s most recent project 4EvaNaDay are accounted for on Spotify. Although it wasn't his classic K.R.I.T. Wuz Here or Return of 4Eva, the latest mixtape project does show marked development in his lyrical skills, proves that his work ethic is only getting stronger, and definitely raises the bar for himself and the competition.
Can't Tell Me Nothing
Artist: Kanye West
Release Date: 2007
In anticipation of his third studio album Graduation, Kanye West released the 25-track mixtape Can't Tell Me Nothing. Hosted by Plain Pat, the album featured a few songs that would sneak their way onto the Grammy Award-winning album, but most importantly, it gave 'Ye some room to flex his behind-the-board creativity before unleashing the rest of the songs that made the final cut.
S. Carter Collection
Artist: Jay-Z
Release Date: 2003
Originally released as a marketing tool for his S. Carter sneakers and The Black Album, Jay-Z dropped this classic gem on fans. Taking some of the hits of the day (believe it or not, B2K's "Bump, Bump, Bump" was one of the handpicked beats), Jay spazzed out like only he can. If you're a Jay-Z fan, then this should be in your collection, Spotify take note.
Back LIke Cooked Crack Vol. 2
Artist: Julez Santana
Release Date: 2004
After his crew broke the mold of the DJ-helmed mixtape, with the artist-driven The Diplomats Vol. 1, Juelz Santana chose to come into his own via his solo series Back Like Cooked Crack. The eons-long original mixtape might take you a while to get through, but it's classic Santana. Spotify boasts a library of more than 18 million songs, so what's 27 more?
Public Enemy #1
Artist: Beanie Sigel
Release Date: 2004
The Green Lantern-hosted tape Public Enemy #1 caught Beans at a low point in his personal life, but at a high point music wise. The Broad Street Bully clearly channeled his anger and frustration over his intermitten jail time, impending court cases, and life-halting hospital stint into the notable project.
In Da Streets
Artist: T.I.
Release Date: 2003
Another classic starting point was T.I.'s In Da Streets--the mixtape series responsible for getting the self-proclaimed King of the South signed to Atlantic. To Spotify's credit, the first two installments are difficult to find in general, but that's no excuse. If they can reach back far enough to include I'm Serious, they should also be able to find In Da Streets.
Mood Muzik: The Worst of Joe Budden
Artist: Joe Budden
Release Date: 2003
The first two installments of the Mood Muzik series are missing from Spotify, likely because they were released while Joe Budden was still signed to Def Jam. Regardless, they're two instrumental projects in Joey's career and contrary to the original mixtape's title, the series is actually some of the best of Budden's work.
The Diplomats Vol. 1
Artist: Dipset
Release Date: 2002
The Diplomats Vol. 1 marked a pivotal point in the legitimization of independently distributed mixtapes as the singles "Oh Boy" and "Ambitions of a Killa" earned spins on the radio without the backing of a mixtape DJ. The project, which jumpstarted the careers of Jim Jones and Juelz Santana, undoubtedly changed the rules of the mixtape game for years to come.
We Got it 4 Cheap Vol. 2
Artist: Clipse
Release Date: 2005
At a stagnant point in their career rap duo Clipse rallied for release from their label with the We Got it 4 Cheap series. Full of angst and frustration, the Clipse came hard with highly quotable content and deft wordplay in the series, making it an essential collection, especially Vol. 2. If nothing else, "Roll With the Winners" at the very least needs to be added to Spotify's music library.
Revenge of the Nerds
Artist: Lupe Fiasco
Release Date: 2006
Lupe Fiasco wooed hip-hop fans into falling in love with him via his Fahrenheit 1/15 series. The second installment, Fahrenheit 1/15 Part 2: Revenge of the Nerds, being the strongest in the set, definitely deserves some playback if only to remind us of the pre-Lasers Lupe we miss.
Trap or Die
Artist: Young Jeezy
Release Date: 2005
In the year prior to signing his major label deal Jeezy was still moving weight and apparently a ton of CDs as well. Trap or Die, the predecessor to Thug Motivation 101, is a necessary project for any hip-hop collection. Featuring the bangers, "Air Forces," "Get Em Jeezy," and the classic "GA" freestyle, the street album also reminds us that no matter how long it takes Jeezy to release a project, he'll always come with fire.
Soon You'll Understand
Artist: Diz Gibran
Release Date: 2009
Spotify is notorious for neglecting to cater to any musical taste other than mainstream, so it's no wonder underground L.A. rapper Diz Gibran's Soon You'll Understand is M.I.A. However, with solid tracks from start to finish, there's not a skippable moment on the entire project, all the more reason it needs to be on there.
Fear of God
Artist: Pusha T
Release Date: 2011
Steeped in heady anticipation of what benefits Yeezy backing would provide Pusha T, expectations soared high ahead of the release of Ziplock P's first solo project Fear of God. With the opening words, "Bear witness as I unveil this instant classic," Pusha most certainly set the bar on a lofty peak. Whether you believe Fear of God made or missed the mark, one thing's for sure--it was a critical point in the trajectory of Pusha's solo career.
Future Street/Drug Sounds
Artist: Dom Kennedy
Release Date: 2009
Most know the Leimert Park rep for his 2010 release From the Westside with Love, however, the streets of L.A. mark Dom's arrival with the release of Future Street/Drug Sounds, his buzz-worthy second project. From hard-hitting releases like the Chuck Inglish-produced "Hard Work" and the street anthem "Menace Beach" to the BJ the Chicago Kid-assisted "Of All Time," Dom set out to exhibit his versatility with the follow-up to his debut 25th Hour, and succeeded. The project also laid the foundation for more experimental projects to come, like the L.A. Leakers-hosted Best After Bobby and, later, The Original Dom Kennedy.
The Warm Up
Artist: J. Cole
Release Date: 2009
Prior to Cole, the last producer-MC that Jay-Z co-signed turned out to be Kanye West. Needless to say, J. Cole's post-Roc Nation debut tape was primed for scrutiny, however, the Fayettenam rep did not disappoint. With thought-driven songs like "Can I Live" and "Grown Simba," The Warm Up was an indisputable classic that proved a smart mixtape project, with intriguing lyrics and content could be made without over-intellectualizing it's audience to sleep.
Da Drought 3
Artist: Lil Wayne
Release Date: 2007
Although Da Drought 3 didn't really age well because of the dated beats (not sure if you can stomach hearing Mim's "This is Why I'm Hot" beat in 2012) and expired political references, Wayne's intricate wordplay provide salvation. If nothing else, the 100-plus minutes of punchlines and an overlooked appearance of a then-relatively unknown Nicki Minaj on "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" all warrant another listen.
Dreamchasers
Artist: Meek Mill
Release Date: 2011
Meek Mill was a well-known battle rapper before Ross had ever heard of him. However, a false start on T.I.'s Grand Hustle label and a disruptive stint in jail, left Mill hungry for a second chance. The Philly native was granted reprieve with his Dreamchasers tape. The DJ Drama-hosted project spawned the club anthem "House Party" and "I'ma Boss" but most importantly, established Mill as next up.
A Kid Named Cudi
Artist: Kid Cudi
Release Date: 2008
After linking with Kanye West's A&R, Plain Pat, to release the 10.Deep sponsored mixtape A Kid Named Cudi, the Cleveland native went from being just another NYC transplant with a dream to West's musical muse. The tape, an instant classic, produced the radio hit, "Day 'n' Nite," which reached the Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop song charts and would later resurface on his debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day, the following year. By constantly challenging the parameters of hip-hop with his genre-bending aesthetic, Cudi has always existed in an intangible creative space just outside of rap. Cudi's brutal honesty, transparency, and unique cadence, which rivals anything ever heard in hip-hop, is never more clear than on this essential project.
Deep Purple
Artist: A$AP Rocky
Release Date: 2011
Compiled by a fan in Paris, Deep Purple wasn't exactly a proper A$AP Rocky release. Yet, with it's apparent popularity and trippy, ethereal beats, it was certainly a testament to the rap newbie's reach--both internationally and sonically. On the track "New York Bittersweet Symphony," the Harlem rapper rhymes over an instrumental of Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony" and on "Purple Swag" he experiments with Clint Mansell's "Stay With Me." The latter would go on to be included on the Harlem rapper's first official project, the much more widely recognized classic Live.Love.A$AP (another difficult project to search on Spotify if your spelling is anything less than on point).
Nostalgia, Ultra
Artist: Frank Ocean
Release Date: 2011
Frank Ocean's ubiquitous debut Nostalgia:Ultra garnered a cult following shortly after it's release. Almost immediately, Def Jam execs swooped in to make a profit by negotiating a deal to re-release the singles "Novacane" and "Swim Good"--part of the reason why these songs aren't easy to find for free. Nevertheless, this mixtape shaped 2011 in a way that no other mixtape could and is very necessary for anyone who can respect the fact that all good R&B doesn't have to sound like Jodeci.