Top 10 Mixtape Reviews 7.23.15

1. Snow Tha Product is one of the most talked female MCs on the underground scene, and she’s definitely making noise with industry reps. “The Rest Comes Later,” is a 15-track mixtape with all new music from Snow, and will leaving you scratching your head and wondering #DaFuck is taking so long for the industry to sign this Beast!

2. If Drake isn't writing these bars, he sure is performing them with Drake-like precision. Either way, our neighbor from the north is here to stay! 18 tracks of top notch lyrics and features is all you need to over shadow the umm unexpected beef. Hmm I see Kanye, Wayne and Eminem laying down verses...#DaFuck is all the noise for #MeekMill?

3. On Verse Simmonds installment of FYF (F*ck Your Feelings 3), you here a diverse mixture from Jeremih to Fetty Wap. You won't skip a track, but if you do you'll land on something else that will pull you in even deeper. Gucci Mane, DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown also went into the studio to show some support. Yep...Download! 

4. Master P position as the General will never be challenged. His Luciano Family artists, TEC, Maine Musik, Ace B and Eastwood are well worth the listen. P drops some bars on this mixtape and a slew of other soldiers join in to complete the Money Mafia Master Piece. Download the 24 tracks and get familiar with the Fam.

5. What's in a name? Rich Homie Quan and DJ Jazz don't waste any time in answering the age old question. Quan's voice shuts down any skepticism and continues to push his "I Am Rich," brand to more households/mobile devices throughout the world. Lil Mook, Offset, and Reese step up and show out as well. 

6. Download Lil Reese's new mixtape "Supa Savage 2"! This long-awaited project is 15 tracks deep and features production by hitmakers London On Da Track, Will A Fool, Chief Keef, DJ L, and many more. If you're familiar with the 2013 "Supa Savage” release, you'll love this and keep it on blast!

7. Laced with 14 tracks, "Trapology" is the follow up to King Gucci and features guest appearances from Fetty Wap, Jadakiss, Young Dolph, Lil Reese, Snoop Dogg, Young Scooter, Riff Raff, and many more. And your ears will be blessed by the production sounds of Mike Will Made It, TM88, 808 Mafia, Southside, KE On The Track, and more.

8. Alley Boys, "Definition Of Fuck Shit 3," is finally here. His Duct Tape ENT Label mate trouble joins in on the rhyme fest along with Master P, Al-Doe, Yung Gwapa and more.  Producers Zaytoven, Will A Fool, Chefry Kitchen, Ed Keels set the tempo for this amazing product. 

9. Problem has brought back his Mollywood series. This is just part 1 of Mollywood 3, which is a two-disc mixtape. Welcome to Mollywood 2, dropped in 2012 and it's definitely overdue. The Relapse (Side A) is packed with 18 tracks, production from Problem himself, Salva, League of Starz, Authentic, Qwest and a few others. Problem is well worth the listen and the download.

10.  S/O to DJ Kurupt and his Street Corner Gangstas Summer 2K15 mixtape series. The usual mixtape suspects may be featured on here but the DJ gives his own great mix. Future Feat. Drake, Meek Mills, Rico Richie Feat. Young Thug and Chedda Da Connect have all contributed to this pot of music gumbo.

Mixtape Review 7.7.15

DJ Mike Mars The Street Politician & DJ Chill Will bring you "Just Landed 7." Cool America host the 7th installment in the JL series which features: Scotty ATL, Yo Gotti, Beatking and many more. Don't hesitate, download it now!

Well the "I'm That Ni**a," mixtape has an all star track list featuring great artist, but on this one we pay attention to the production styles of, Tre Trax, Inomek in the Kitchen, Bobby Kritical and DJ Spinz. It's 32 tracks of heat produced by some of the best in the game. 

"Open Bar 2" is wide open. DJs; Tephlon, Mook, Ace, and Esudd serves the top shelf from Cap 1 on this one. Put it n'Rotation and ride out to this. 

Audio Molly 4 (Hosted By Project Pat) is brought to you by 3rdy Baby The DJ. The follow up to Audio Molly 3 features; Fetty Wap, Rick Ross, Chief Keef and a track produced by Kanye West that's been laced with bars by Tyga and A.E.

Uploaded on 7/06 the "Young Thug Barter 6 (Chopped Not Slopped)," mixtape turns the most anticipated mixtape of the year into one of the most downloaded chopped file in a day. S/O to DJs; Slim K, OG Ron C, and the ChopStars!

Yep we all want the next Lil Tunechi album to drop, but the powers that be keeps us in limbo. Fortunately NoDJ keeps the balance with the 4th of July release of Lil Wayne's FWA (Free Weezy Album)

DJ Carisma hosts Zairrion's October 8th mixtape. From the opening track "Unsigned Hype" to the closer track "H.U.D.S. (Heads Up Don't Stop)," this L.A. Artist is throwing up a "W" (win) on every track. 

DJ New Era is brings his skills and his "Fitted Cap Low" brand to Birmingham's own 4-Way LMG mixtape "On IV." Jac Trip, J-Lew and JukeHeisman are just a few of the names off of this July 4th release. Keep'em on your radar. 

The Glory is packed with your favorite artist and brought to you by DJ Plugg, DJ Schoolboy and Guy ATL. The Tony Tone featuring Fetty Wap track "Activated" is an exclusive and will be your turn-up song. 

Audiophile's XXL Summer Compilation is for all my Club Heads! Aaron Jackson, M.O.B., Intermodal combines their individual creative styles. Pop you one 😉and dance!

Top 10 Mixtape Reviews 6.24.15

@triggadadj @djlogangarrett @djbenfrank - #ProductOfTennessee4 Should become a mixtape series. From Juicy J to Young Buck and everything in between, I get why this hotbed of hip hop has and will always be here twisting up the genre and giving it a flavor that'll be craved globally. 

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34725/product-of-tennessee-4.html

@mixxmobbradio @chilligrindwill @frenchiebsm - #MixxMobbRadio28 is a strong mixtape series that takes the "in the lab" tracks to the street. B.O.B. And Chanel West Coast (Yung Money) join up with Frenchie on the 1st track to let you know that Mixx Mobb Radio is here to stay. 

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34704/mixxmobb-radio-28.html

@therealdjnewera is definitely a force to be reckoned with. You ask about Alabama music...here's the DJ to let you know Bama is on point and in many ways ahead of the curve. n'Rotation stamps this one Hard. @BobbyV host this banger and you will be ready for the 14th installment like you're waiting for the sequel to your favorite movie franchise. Check out   - #MoodMusiq13 on Live Mixtape now.

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34674/mood-musiq-13.html

@dj_hard_hitta - #RespectTheDJ3...That's all that needs to be said. 23 tracks is not enough! We want more! If Boosie Badazz "Black Heaven" featuring Keisha Cole and J Cole, doesn't get you to respect the DJ...get off my blog! http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34659/respect-the-dj-3.html

@posterchildj1 @ludacris @amberpriddy - #RedZone12 If this is the Red Zone...The score will melt the wires of your headphones. Atlanta stands up on this one. Migos, K-Camp and Rich Gang artist are just a few bringing the heat. 

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34684/red-zone-12.html

@djsmoothmontana @djdiggz @djalamonj @djarabmixtapes @djwispas @sosdjseast - #WhoRunNewYork6 is testament to the streets of NY. Fat Joe, Fabolous, Uncle Murda and more of your favorites come put it down for their Burroughs. The 35 tracks reminds on this one reminds me of Krush Groove. 

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34679/who-run-new-york-6.html

@trapaholics @trippdahitmajor - #TrippYouDidItAgain2 is a great follow up to #TrippYouDidIt #LiveMixtapes I thank you for the great app update, now I can rock the Trap-A-Holics offline.

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34692/dj-tripp-da-hit-major-trippyoudiditagain-2.html

After a week of riding to @therealdjstatic #iCantThinkOfAMixtapeName, I agree. He didn't need to name this heat. Every track delivered! Put it n'Rotation

http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34712/i-cant-think-of-a-mixtape-name.html

You will want to personally thank @dj_tephlon & @young_lexicon for #DoYouHaveAPlan

This mixtape is slowly growing on tastemakers. The "Here I Am" video gives you a preview into the quality of this project. http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34707/young-lexicon-do-you-have-a-plan.html

@wegotthiscrew if you didnt like club music...this will have you changing your music listening likes.  #WeGotThisCompilation3

http://club.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34670/we-got-this-compilation-3.html

@dr.13eight and @slimpolk dig through the crates to put together a track list full of unreleased bangers.  #SlimPolkChronicles

https://soundcloud.com/leslie-macevent/keep-it-real

The Mixtape Issue

If You Post It, I'll Share It...IF...

What can I say about the week we’ve had? First I want to give a big shout out to Denton, Texas. Hailey's once again was the spot for a great night of music. DJ Spinn Mo provided the music and the performers rocked like this was their first and last show, but I doubt that it’s any of their last. The night ended with a great show by Houston’s own Po-Up Poet…Paul Wall @paulwallbaby. I can definitely see why the DJs in the Mixtape issue of n’Rotation love Texas music!

If you have been under a rock, you’ve missed the monsoons that rolled through Texas last week, damn…it rained! That didn’t stop me on the second day of filming for “The Needle To The Record,” documentary ironically with a Denton, Texas native, AV The Great. On this rainy day we were not filming the artist, we were filming his alter-ego Chris Cole. Chris Cole is his on-air personality for Dallas’s K104 FM. The weather may have not stopped us from getting to him, but it did make the time we spent there to be a very short one. At the end of our visit our iPhones held some great footage. 

On Sunday, good news is didn’t take the day off, and I’m glad it didn’t. 4 weeks ago Instagram announced their @music profile. Now we’ve all heard and seen plenty of artists post their 15 second sounds or video edits. This has made Instagram the place for artists big and small to promote. The six degrees of separation theory allows for new fans to find music via a friend of a friend of another on to the 6th degree. This type of music spectrum creates a direct to fan network that is unmatched anywhere else online. With that being said, I have been added as a music influencer to the Sounds.app @music community. This isn’t an add for ’Sound,’ but a invite for artist to submit music to me, for fans to discover and share music. Theres no excuse now for your music not to get heard unless you’re hiding it, and why would you wanna go do that, huh? Sounds is free to download for Android and iPhones. If you have music content online, now would be the time to be sure your artwork, info and tags are up-to-date. While you wait for 6.2.15 to get here so that you can read n’Rotation’s ‘Mixtape’ issue, go ahead and download the Sounds.app follow @iGotContent on Twitter & Instagram and watch us promote and share. 

We do take all your music links and mp3s at iGotContent@gmail.com 

#LeslieMac

Some Of Y'all Ain't Gonna Smile After This One

What can I say about my 420 celebration? It was a true learning experience. I had to write this immediately before I forgot...wink face ;) . My Hip Hop heads are gonna feel nostalgic, and my new school Hip Hop artists are going to feel some type of way. Whatever you choose, I just hope this doesn't fall on deaf ears. You are getting a snippet of the full article "What Happened To The Movement," that will be in the upcoming of n’Rotation's "Mixtape DJ" issue. I'm not going to call any names in this blog, nor in the full article. I will just reflect and report on our conversation. At the end of this piece, I will leave you with something to seriously think about.

We can all agree that the recent police violence against African Americans is making the news at an alarming rate. The marchers, protesters, and the rally leaders are in full swing. The internet is keeping us all united to the cause through hashtags and Twitter posts. Back in the day when there was injustice in the black community, there was a song to bring people together. 

In 1971 Marvin Gaye's masterpiece, "What's Going On" album took on poverty and the injustice facing the black community. This album produced the hits; "What's Going On," "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)," and the "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)." It's considered the most

important and passionate record to come out of soul music. Marvin Gaye's connection to his fans allowed his music be the catalyst to ignite the needed unity in the black community. 

1989 brought us Spike Lee's movie, "Do the Right Thing" and with it Hip Hops minister of information Public Enemy's "Fight the Power." “Fear of a Black Planet" was released in1990, but the albums most notably hit single opened Lee’s acclaimed movie. This movie focuses on the realities that the black community is being faced with now...the senseless death of blacks at the hands of cop. The Radio Raheem choking scene was played out in real life when Eric Garner, 43, died after being confronted by police on Staten Island for allegedly selling cigarettes illegally. What was illegal was the choke hold that lead to Garner’s death. Julie Bolcer, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office, “the death was ruled a homicide.”

As P.E. (Public Enemy) pointed out the injustice on the east coast, NWA introduced their west coast accounts of the outrage that was enacted by the LAPD. NWA’s version of fighting the power did not miss a beat. Their lyrics and videos showed the group had no problem going against the grain of rules that segregates people. The 1992 Los Angeles riots was the reaction to a jury's verdict that acquitted four Los Angeles Police Department officers of assault and use of excessive force. This use of excessive force was caught on video. Thousands of people throughout the metropolitan area of Los Angeles rioted over six days beginning on April 29. Ice Cube’s "Wicked," calls this day of the riot "Power to the people."

Hip Hop’s voice against violence and wrongdoing was felt the strongest on the tracks, "Self-Destruction," which featured an All Star East Coast roster. We find KRS-One and D-Nice of Boogie Down Productions leading the charge. The features included; production by Bomb Squad  member Hank Shocklee, MC Lyte, Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One, D-Nice & Ms. Melodie), Stetsasonic (Delite, Daddy-O, Wise, and Frukwan), Heavy D, Kool Moe Dee, Doug E. Fresh, Just-Ice and Public Enemy (Chuck D & Flavor Flav). 

On the West Side of the Hip Hop map, we have the ‘stop the violence’ driven track, "We All In The Same Gang." Doctor Dre provided his production talents to this project. The West Coast All-Star’s roster included; King Tee, Body & Soul (including Dee Barnes), Def Jef, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and Eazy-E of N.W.A, Above The Law, Ice-T, Michel'le

Tone-Loc, J.J. Fad, Young MC, Digital Underground (Money-B and Shock G/Humpty Hump), MC Hammer, and Oaktown's 3.5.7. 

What are we promoting in Hip Hop today? Sex, drugs, and violence? Rich Gang’s "Lifestyle," was a hit, even if we didn't understand what was being said. But after learning the lyrics to this song, are we still interested in that "Lifestyle"? Are we all in love with the CoCo? 

From my own experiences and what I gathered from my comrades is, the culture went from songs speaking on fighting injustice to songs abusing the rights that were fought for during the civil rights movement.  You can rap, but are you enriching

the next person’s life? Is there going to be more than just tweets addressing the recent displays of inequalities or are we waiting on Birdman to stop tripping about the money he owes Lil Wayne? The reality is, that hip-hops voice has been Minimized. I’m listening to Kendrick Lamar's #TPAB and Common and John Legend’s "Glory" to fill the whole for what needs to the focus of the day. Will you promote this for now and be the “Trap Queen” at later date? We can party, but if we don't encourage one another through our loudest megaphone...music, I believe the maltreatments are going to increase. 

Like I said before, "this is just a snippet." You can read the full article in the upcoming n'Rotation The DJ Magazine issue. This is our Mixtape DJ issue, which will feature award winning and some of the Top 100 Mixtape DJs In The World as of 2014.  

I ask you this question… where are you going with Hip Hop?

#LeslieMac

I Know Ya... YOU Ain't Gotta Lie To Kick It!

Some of my consistent readers and followers are aware of my current and future projects. To my new readers, I aim to put out the best music reviews and at the same time give you

some hardcore facts about your career. My Fluence account is quite busy, the Mixtape issue of n'Rotation The DJ Magazine will be wrapping up in the next few weeks and  "The Needle To The Record" documentary is in pre-production as I type. So please continue to share and personally be inspired. I kept this entry short and sweet due to my new and up coming projects. But I promise to always bring you the best of the #MacAttack. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

As musicians the music you create is your story to the world. You spend weeks and months writing, recording, mixing and mastering. After all of that, you now get to see if it was worth all you've went through. If you hate math...GET OVER IT! These numbers set your mood from here on in your career. There's plenty of methods and tools to get your name and voice out there. If you look at the industry as a game of chance, you'll be looking at it in the wrong way. There’s no testing your song out while you create your greatest work. If you're listening to your entourage at the point of creation...DEAD WRONG! Know what you want, because that deal you seek comes with a label who "CONTROLS" every aspect of your career. We know that even major label artists have flop albums.

Don't get stuck in this mindset. The internet gives you a direct connection to new fans and access to music listeners. True music listeners can give you feedback instantly and don't mind sharing good music. My time at Fluence I've reviewed, in my opinion a lot of potential hits. 80% of the artist have followed our advice in one way or another. I know this because the numbers have increased dramatically. The ones that don't follow through...well, let's just say..."Incomplete!" I have a couple things together that may help you in the pursuit of music career happiness. 

KNOW YOUR FANS!

You have direct contact to key fans already, an email list. Now I know there's so many ways to connect, but email is your virtual hand to hand combat. The thing with emails is they may get discarded, so I suggest you develop a dialogue with your fans and inform them that you need their feedback and ask if you can email them something important. You already have a great way to get direct feedback from your fans. Google Forums is a great way to ask your fans what do they want to hear from you; possible collaborations or send that recorded verse and hook to them for their listening pleasure. Remember you're trying to reach music listeners and not your folks and 'em. Ask your fans direct questions about your music. Ask them to vote on your next potential single, the sky's the limit.

If you’re not getting as many survey responses as you’d like, you could tie it into a contest. Everyone who participates could win a free t shirt, signed CD, or be with the entourage. Incentives will get you more results.

NUMBERS DON'T LIE!

Who's checking the analytics? We all can't be analysts, that includes your friends and fans. Someone at a label, media outlets, or a promoter is checking to see your likes and fan engagement. I'm not saying you don't have to learn anything about analytics, but you could learn from them. Why is someone watching your video in Norway, or who's actually listening to my music? These numbers can have a good impact on your fans. Deliver the truth, the truth that they can understand. Views and likes are easy to show but it's more views and likes that you can create across the board. Place your content on many media outlets. Grab that view count and make it known, "My material has XYZ views!" People don't want to miss out on what everyone else is watching.

Give your fans everything they want and need to keep you relevant from day to day. Your music isn't just a product,it's your message to the world! Deliver it the right way and ALL of your efforts will never go unseen or unheard. 

#LeslieMac

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Record Industry

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Record Industry,

As we get closer to the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and Media Conference, there's a question that has been addressed to me on several occasions, "Why don't the labels do a meet and greet for the DJs?" There are DJs playing during the music week and plenty of after parties, but no "Meet Ups" scheduled by the labels for DJs.

The SXSW Music Festival is scheduled to have over 2,200 musical performances from 

regional, national and international acts. That's a lot of music Mr. and Mrs. Record Industry. According to the SXSW website, The music event has grown from 700 registrants in 1987 to almost 28,000 conference participants. That's just the registered participants, you can imagine how many visitors are there just to listen to good music. The DJs provide the beat to all those music lovers and rarely get as much as a pat on the back. I said rarely, because the labels do give out promotional pieces here and there; however, the smaller market DJs, Club DJs, and Mixtape DJs aren't getting these perks. 

There's one fact I think the labels seem to forget…DJs like music and there's no better

promoter of music than the DJ. SXSW is ultimately the largest international mixer/meet up/tastemaker, and thru the many years I've attended I have never experienced a label supported meet and greet. According the SXSW site, the Music Meet Up sessions have been expanded. These Meet Up sessions group together people of similar industries, as well as pairing relevant groups with each other. This is a great opportunity to let your labels biggest supporters, the DJs to meet the Artist/Producers/Creators of the music that they spin and listen to. 

Dear Mr. And Mrs. ATLANTIC, SONY, UNIVERSAL & WARNER BROTHERS, I hope that in

years to come that the DJ community be afforded an Artist/DJ "Meet Up". These connections could bridge a gap between the smaller market DJs who travel to SXSW to see some of their favorite artists perform. DJs are the messengers and from the sounds of it they love the message that they deliver. Thanks for your time and always #SaluteTheDJ!

#LeslieMac