Young Jeezy – The Prime Minister (DJ Infamous) [click to listen]

These artist websites are popping up more often aren’t they? ThisIs50.com has people following the format for promotion, which isn’t such a bad thing. This time we get a new Jeezy [click to read] mixtape out of it. For those of you who follow "the Snowman," we know that his music always rides out for the summer months. With the windows down, whip thumping and speakers blasting, we all know Jeezy rides out. "I’m Here," "Translator" and "Prime Minister" are examples of that. "Put On" with Kanye West is a pretty solid single to go with considering the genius Yeezy is with this music ish. At a short 12 tracks, no Young Jeezy fan will be left disappointed. Are we due for a DJ Drama [click to read] tape before the album comes?

Bishop Lamont - The Confessional (DJ Whoo Kid) [click to listen]

The Confessional continues the streak of mixtapes from Dr. Dre protégé Bishop Lamont. Considering the amount of time that’s passed since the left coast emcee was signed to Aftermath, this may be as close as listeners will get to an officially-released album; but it gets damn close. Even though this writer doesn’t think that Bishop Lamont has the “it” factor to absolutely blow up, he still shows competent emcee skills. Wielding an authoritative delivery and solid lyrics, he switches between cocky gangsterisms (the Busta Rhymes-assisted “Kissin Tha Curb”) and lady-pleasers (“Right”). Engaging conceptual songs like the “What People Do” and “The Greatest Trick”—the former looking into the extent people go to get money, and the latter telling grim hood tales—add replay value as well, as do guest appearances by heavyweights like Busta [click to read], Ras Kass [click to read] and others. But the real star of The Confessional is the Aftermath production team: Dr. Dre’s fingerprints are all over this, as Denaun Porter [click to read], DJ Khalil, Nottz, Scott Storch and others all contribute incredible instrumentals that are consistent with the "Head Doctor’s" legacy. Definitely one of the more technically complete mixtapes to get released this year.

Young Buck - The Cashville Takeover (DJ Rip) [click to listen]

Radio interviews, on-stage insults, internet fuckery and embarrassing phone conversations aside, Young Buck [click to read] has always been one of—if not the—most consistent members of his former G-Unit crew. Now that he’s unquestionably out of the crew, Buck’s got his own collective to hold down: Cashville Records. With his group/label’s first release, Cashville Takeover, he hints that his leadership and CEO skills are just as strong as his talents on the mic. Solo songs like “The Interview” and “Kill Me A Nigga” see Buck offering his usual doses of honesty and gutterisms, and he uses songs like “Re-Up” and “Godz Plan” to show chemistry with his new label-mates, Outlawz [click to read] and Sosa The Plug. Sosa is a capable emcee, but The Outlawz are the surprising differences on Takeover, as the duo’s growth since working with 'Pac is evident on all of their appearances here. It’s good to see Buck moving on, because with his individual talent, his established fan base and his strong roster, he may be able to capture even further success—as long as fans don’t let the phone call audio don’t get in the way of good music. But if Lil Wayne [click to read] can kiss a man and go platinum in a week, anything’s possible, right?

Gemstones - Testimony of Gemstones [click to listen]

In the intro of Testimony of Gemstones, the Lupe Fiasco [click to read] signee surprisingly bears his heart over The Cool’s “Free Chilly” instrumental, insisting that his previous musical path “lead people to destruction,” and that from that point on, he’s using his talents to make more meaningful records. Even though Gemstones [click to read] revisits “Untamed Beast” mode several times here, his strong lyrics and flawless delivery make them all bearable. But when he’s sticking to his new plan, the results are unquestionable: “Fly Away” sees him utilizing the same singing voice found on Lupe songs like “Just Might Be OK” and “He Say She Say” to speak on poverty in inner-city Chicago, and he uses the stirring “Skeletons” to force transgressors to be accountable for their actions. Testimony further establishes Gemstones as a bonafide, versatile talent who, if given the support, can release some incredible music. Continued on page 3 »