Mixtape Mondays: Mike Will Made-It, Short Dawg, Young Scooter

posted in: Music News • Urban

What’s up, hip hop heads? A few weeks have passed since the last time we gathered to share the latest and greatest mixtapes, so I hope all of you had a safe and happy holiday season. 2013 is already shaping up to be a huge yea for hip hop, so let’s not waste anymore time.

Since the last entry in this column, more than a dozen major mixtapes hit the market. This is usually the cas around the holidays, but things seemed bigger than ever as of late. Of those releases, three have found their way into constant rotation here at the OurStage offices, and it’s those same three mixtapes that we will be discussing today. If you are an aspiring urban artist, submit your OS profile and most recent mixtape to jshotwell@ourstage.com with the subject Mixtape Mondays.

1. Mike Will Made-It – Est. In 1989 2.5 (Download)

Super producer Mike Will Made It is barely in his twenties, but already has the name and number of virtually very major player in the current hip hop scene. You’ve heard his beats on many of 2012’s biggest releases, and just before the year let out Mike released a compilation of superstar-featured gems he had been keeping for himself. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is on this tape. If you like your hip hop ignorant as can be, crank this up and party until dawn.

2. Short Dawg – Southern Flame Spitta 5 (Download)

Southern Flame Spitta 5 is the latest entry in fast rising star Short Dawg’s potentially gigantic career. The Texas native offers fans a little bit of trill wave on this release, but for the most part approaches this release with a style that can best be summarized as a cross between Drake and Mayback Music Group’s Meek Mill. If that isn’t enough to get you excited, click here to check out Short Dawg’s video for “Thug Lyfe” and learn what all the fuss is about.

3. Young Scooter – Street Lottery (Download)

Memphis’ own Young Scooter is without a doubt the most publicized rapper in this week’s column. Street Lottery showcases a diverse set of mic skills, as well as a Scooter’s amazing gift of storytelling. There is a lot of commercial content to be found here, but underneath it all is a true story of rising through struggle and that will always translate. Always.