By William E. Ketchum III & Legend

Royce Da 5'9" - Bar Exam 2 (DJ Green Lantern) [click to listen]

As the follow-up to last year’s first installment that was hosted by DJ Premier and mixed by Statik Selektah, Royce Da 5’9”’s new mixtape, The Bar Exam 2, had high expectations. So this time, Royce is pulling out all of the stops: he got HipHopDX to exclusively release the tape, and Green Lantern [click to read] is handling deejaying duties. But don’t let the all-star affiliations fool you: The Bar Exam 2 is "Nickel Nine’s" showcase. Utilizing asshole-by-nature quips (“I’ll do to yo ‘mama what the KKK wanna do to Obama”) and a watertight flow, Royce rocks over both original tracks produced by Mr. Porter [click to read] and Lantern, and borrowed beats from the likes of Jay-Z, The Game and others. Royce also gives notable shine to his fellow Detroiters: along with an expected appearance from M.I.C. fam like Kid Vishis and June The Great, he collabs with Motor City street heavyweight Stretch Money on a remake of Lil Wayne’s “Let The Beat Build,” and staples like Trick Trick and Marv Won also drop gems. “Royal Flush Freestyle” sees Royce rhyming alongside Elzhi [click to read] of Slum Village, with a surprisingly fresh Canibus coming from out of nowhere to rip the first verse. With album-quality tracks like “Gun Music” and “Been Shot Down” on top of the mixtape expected tracks, Bar Exam 2 lives up to its predecessor.

Lloyd Banks – Return Of The P.L.K. (DJ Whoo Kid) [click to listen]

It's been a while since we heard some new Banks [click to read]. The homie been laying low for a second. This mixtape should have been out somewhere to the tune of last month, but regardless of time constraints, it's the definite Return Of The P.L.K. (Punch Line King for those who don't cant transcribe the acronym). Jump-starting the tape with the funky "Flat Line," we see Banks return to true fashion. "Call It How I See It" is that track that will have you rewinding even after the Whoo Kid spin-backs. "…face it, you cant keep up the pace/…that 1998 shit." I'm not sure where Banks' hunger is coming from, but this mixtape takes it back to the Money In The Bank days. We haven't heard this type of material from "Lamborghini Lloyd" in so long we didn't even know if he had it left in him. Finally, that "718 Nigga" is (S)O.D.'ing on tracks. We missed this type of delivery. Kudos to Lloyd Banks for this banger of a mixtape.

Rapper Big Pooh - Rapper’s Delight (DJ Warrior and Mick Boogie) [click to listen]

This writer has come to grips with the realization that Rapper Big Pooh [click to read] may be one of those emcees who’s always slept on. Despite how dope his solo debut Sleepers was, and no matter how much he holds up alongside groupmate Phonte on Little Brother’s albums (especially their last one, Getback [click to read]), Pooh is often looked at as a sidekick. While Pooh’s new tape, Rapper’s Delight, won’t disprove non-believers who say he can’t hold his own, it’s still a great collection of songs. There are only a few songs here that find Pooh rapping alone: and while they’re all well-executed, this disc’s meat is in its down-the-line joints. Justus League fam like Chaundon, Jozeemo and Joe Scudda all make worthwhile appearances, while unexpected guests like Bishop Lamont and Illa J offer great verses as well. While Pooh holds his own alongside so many other emcees, it’s easy to lose him in the mix of abundant emcees—the best example of this is the “Text Me (Allstar Remix),” which features Talib Kweli, Parker Bros., and Naledge contributing verses and Tha Bizness [click to read] flipping several beat changes. Delight’s production is top-shelf, though usual suspects like 9th Wonder, Khrysis and Illmind aren’t the only ones handling their biz. Pooh shows that he can mesh with Detroit’s Soul just as much as he can utilize the aforementioned producers’ sample-driven production: he utilizes two Dilla beats, in-house G-Unit beatsmith Nick Speed provides the gritty bounce of “Dusty” (previously release as “Squeeze Precisely” on Danny Brown’s Hot Soup), and “Money” features a beat from Young RJ, with whom Pooh is working on a full-length album. While Rapper’s Delight isn’t a project that will boost Pooh’s solo reputation, it’s still a great mixtape: and that’s never a bad thing.

Curren$y – Fin… [click to listen]

I know this cant be the end for the "Hot Spitta." Fin… is here as he vouches to make this his "last tape…on the solo tip." One thing to admire about Curren$y is his consistency to bring good material month after month. For all who have been following since Independence Day, they know "Spitta" just keeps getting better. "The Intro," makes a non-smoker spark one and float to the smoothness that it brings. Some will argue that the Intro is the best part of his mixtape, but there would be no sense in continuing with the tracklist if it was. "The Explanation" is the epitome to why Curren$y is closing the curtain. "…I could keep the mixtapes up month to month continuously/but I figured that my words will lose their validity/…because they keep hearing new ones all the time/im about to take a sabbatical dog/and let these late bloomers get here, the Spitta catalogue/I'm just pausing for the people who slow/and let them learn the shit you already know." You definitely cant sum it up any better than that. "Everybody Nose" and the flip on the 8Ball & MJG Space Age Pimpin "New Day" joint have to be some of the standouts on the tape. Not to mention the dot dot dot track "…" that is funny to look at in a tracklisting. Couple that with some of Curren$y's favorite tracks towards the end of the tape and its clear to see the "Jets" are still flying.

Termanology - 50 Bodies 2 (Statik Selektah & DJ Dead Eye) [click to listen]

Continuing what he started with its first installment, 50 Bodies 2 is a collection of 50 of Termanology’s [click to read] best verses leading up to his solo debut, Politics As Usual. After a perusal of these selections, it’s not hard to see why the Boston native has the likes of DJ Premier, Pete Rock [click to read], Alchemist and countless other classic producers offering him their soundscapes for his album. Shifting from criticism of the industry (“The Music Industry,” “Stop, Look, Listen”) to hardnosed drug talk (“Kilo Rap,” “Bakin Soda”), Term’s nimble, east coast-nostalgic flow ably carries whatever he needs to say. Statik Selektah [click to read] and DJ Dead Eye’s deft mixing ability keeps things flowing as well. The only qualm of this tape is that since it’s only Termanology’s verses included, it’s difficult to see how well his own bars hold up against collaborators’—most notably on “Stop, Look Listen,” which features Q-Tip and Styles P spitting heat as well. Either way, 50 Bodies 2 is a mixtape that should give listeners a good idea of the talent that’s got Hip Hop historians buzzing.

Jadakiss - Audio Heroin [click to listen]

While Styles P [click to read] and Sheek Louch [click to read] have had numerous mixtape and album releases over the past five years, D-Block’s more heralded member, Jadakiss, has had a relatively low output since his sophomore disc in 2004. Last year, the Yonkers veteran signed to Roc-A-Fella, and this new Audio Heroin mixtape should be a sign of an album coming soon. A mixture of new, old, and remixed material from his career, this mixtape should remind listeners of why Jada has described himself as “Top five, dead or alive, and that’s just off one LP.” Tracks like the buzz single “Who Run This Shit” (featuring Jay-Z playing hypeman duties) feature him holding his own as a soloist, while “It’s Like That” and “Cocaine Music” unite him with his D-Block groupmates. Freestyles over the likes of Lil Wayne’s “A Millie” and The Game’s “Game’s Pain” are solid as well, and a snippet to the Statik Selektah-laced “For The City” [click to listen] shows promise of being a potential song of the year. Hopefully, Jada can continue to give rap fiends their fix with his Roc-A-Fella debut.

The Game - BWS Radio Pt. 5 (DJ Haze) [click to listen]

It’s a little puzzling that The Game [click to read] would release the fifth installment of his BWS Radio mixtape series with DJ Haze [click to read] when his L.A.X. album [click to read] just hit stores a couple months ago, but this writer isn’t complaining. While much of this isn’t going to hold a candle to L.A.X., it’s still a solid addition to Game’s substantial mixtape catalog. Knocking west coast production (“Put Em To Bed,” “In These Streets”) and Game’s hoarse, off-kilter flow (“Baggage Claim,” “Nightmares”) are the fuel of the mixtape, but BWS fam like Juice and Clyde Carson hold their own as well. Ending the disc with the Kurupt-featured “All These Hoes,” Game and DJ Haze accomplish their mission.

Dusty Fingers: The Mix CD (Dusty Fingers) [click to listen]

For almost two dozen volumes, Dusty Fingers [click to read] was the original source for ultra-rare break record archeology. Coming out the Bronx, "Dusty Fingers" helped shed light on hit records by Eminem, 50 Cent and others. After decades in the game, this specially-packaged CD shows the man on the mixer, as he cuts through 58 rare grooves, told in a Steinski & Double Dee narrative style. Lots of European breaks are used, as this global-minded mix challenges the waters of DJ Muro, long thought to be the supreme digger of the world. A few key breaks are recognizable for their would-be Hip Hop influence, however, novice producers and fans of that old soul and strut will appreciate this for what it is. Dusty proves he's just as fierce at rocking the party as he is at pulling plates from the crates.

Fashawn – One Shot One Kill (Mick Boogie & Terry Urban) [click to listen]

The last time you might have heard of Fresno, California was when Planet Asia was on the rise. Or maybe it was all those Fresno State sports scandals the school had in recent history. Although "P.A." still represents the home turf, not much is coming out of the San Joaquin Valley. The scene seems to be getting bigger though. Enter Fashawn [click to read]: Crowned as "The Phenom" around these parts. He links up with Mick Boogie and Terry Urban for One Shot One Kill, which is a mixtape featuring some of his past material, alongside with new stuff old fans might not have heard. For those who haven't been keeping track, Fash is about five tapes in already, and this is no different. "The Healer" is a great way to start the tape. Fashawn's mic presence sounds calm yet assuring. The "F-A-Crooked Letter" comes off on some witty shit with "F.A.S.H.A.W.N. Relax" featuring Thurzday from U-N-I [click to read] is also a smooth banger that takes you back to the old days where the west coast was dominating the game. The standout track has to be "Our Way" [click to listen] featuring Evidence over a melodic bass-driven Exile-produced heatrock, in which Fashawn and Ev trade bars in true left coast fashion. Package that with a Planet Asia feature, and you're sure to get some banging music. Get ready for the album.

Illmind – Blaps, Beats & Rhymes (DJ Dub MD) [click to listen]

For those who don't know, Illmind [click to read] gets it in heavy. His production landscape never ceases to amaze. He's worked with the likes of 50 Cent, Heltah Skeltah, Torae, Skyzoo, LL Cool J and many more. Hence, this mixtape with Dub MD which showcases all of his latest work. Behind the boards, Illmind is someone not to be fucked with. Brooklyn Academy and Jean Grae is just beautiful music in the grimiest sense. The way they all delivered so tough in between the dark keys playing is something to admire. Fresh Daily switches it up on some soulfulness with "Get Over." Supastition and Kel Spencer over some more Illmind keys is the reason why Hip Hop is still alive and breathing. That "New Blood" is something refreshing featuring some good talent from the east coast. The fact theres talent on here you might not have heard of, should be reason to check this. If anything, the beats are defintely on point. It sounds like Fif and company have influenced Illmind, seeing as how his landscapes sound reminiscent of Dr. Dre's, but that's not a bad thing, by all means…keep it coming Ill.

Naledge Presents: Welcome To The Braniac Society (DJ RTC) [click to listen]

Kidz In The Hall [click to read] have been doing their thing for a minute, and Naledge has definitely represented. Welcome To The Brainiac Society tape is a collection of tracks Naledge has been on, and/or collaborated recently. For those who have been following the Kidz and Naledge, this should be nothing new to you. For those that haven't, be prepared to experience some heat from the Chi and different artists Naledge respects in a musical sense. Everyone from Pacific Division [click to read] to Mickey Factz [click to read], The Cool Kids, Sugar Tounge Slim, Chip The Ripper and his artist Fooch. Catch Naledge rip the booth to shreds on "Incredible," the "Nez & Rio Freestyle" as well as "Happy Birthday To Me." This is a nice compilation for those who have slept on Nal, or are new to the game. Catch up.

BONUS CUT: Green Lantern Recounts Creating Shady Mixtape Invasion

"It was kind of ill. It was a real ill time. Em was getting…Benzino was coming at him, and he wanted to respond to it. But at the same time, he was looking at dude like he was using Em to get exposure. You know how this thing goes. He’s like, 'If you’re going to use me, I’m going to use you.' He had this roster of artists that he wanted to promote like Obie Trice, D12, Stat Quo and all that. Stat wasn’t there, yet. He’s like, 'Let’s put a mixtape together, let’s explain the situation. Green, you take a picture, put it together how you do, make it a movie, and go ahead.' We were on tour, I think I finished it up at some studio in Germany at five in the morning, trying to get the engineer to understand what I was telling him to do. That joint right there was ill. The first time on a mixtape level that I forgot that caused headlines with Em. I don’t think he even knew what I do with these things. Then he heard the intro, like, 'Goddamn.' But it was a nice moment, man. It was cool."