While most other websites have covered the “best” albums and EPs for 2011, I wanted to share my selection of favorite mixtapes for the year. This list is strictly my opinion. The only rule to my picks was that each mixtape had to have a DJ attached to it. I’m a believer that if an artist releases a project without a DJ, it is not a mixtape, but a street album. I know some of you might disagree with my thoughts, but as a mixtape DJ myself, I feel an artist can’t drop a mixtape without a DJ involved. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy my picks. Let’s begin..

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Merry Christmas to all-hope you all enjoyed it! The homie DJ Casper (Tampa, FL) dropped off this wild mix of holiday cheer to add a little spice to the special day known as Christmas.  Although the day has passed, you can never turn down a celebration (or a drink for that matter)! Tracklisting is after the break.  Enjoy and be educated!

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From the album Well Done on DCide Records. Purchase on iTunes.

Young Jeezy continues to roll out the visuals with a brand new DVD, entitled The Real Is Back. TM:103 Hustlerz Ambition is in stores now.

Props to Rap Radar for the heads up

Brooklyn emcee and producer J57 of the Brown Bag AllStars takes Tha Reelness through his beat-making process, as well as his group’s approach to releasing music. Enjoy and be educated.

Looking for back issues of Wax Poetics magazine? Look no further. Wax Poetics recently cleared out a storage facility and found boxes of their most-in-demand issues, including the issue that started it all. If you are looking to expand your Wax Poetics magazine collection, head to their storefront now.

I like how Maffew took a different approach for his new music video and went the animation route. By the time the video ended, I was really pleased with what I saw. Hopefully you will be as well. Rhyme Pays can be downloaded here. Enjoy and be educated.

Purchase The R.E.D. Album on iTunes.

It’s a celebration! A few nights ago, Adidas Global Ambassador DJ Neil Armstrong held a party to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of his timeless mixtape series, Original. Providing the soundtrack for the night were DJ Daddy Dog, DJ G-Bo the Pro, DJ Total Eclipse, DJ Spinna and Questlove, with Neil presenting each DJ with an exclusive DJ Neil Armstrong x Adidas track jacket (I’d love to get one of those!). Thank you Neil for creating such a classic mixtape series for all of us to enjoy.

Compiled by website Real Hip Hop Head. Description:

Very few artists openly delve into their personal lives as deeply as Joe Budden and even fewer do it as well as he can. He possesses an ability to really make you feel and relate to his struggle through his lyrics, whether it be about his addictions, manic depression or love life. And although his personal life is the common theme in most of his music, I also feel like Joe is an underrated lyricist. When he tries to, he can spit with the best of them. And this collection displays both sides pretty well. Now, my reason for making this compilation, other than spreading some great music, is that Joe Budden’s Fan base has really grown in the past two years or so, due to the forming of Slaughterhouse and signing to Eminem’s label, but I think a lot of the new fans may not be aware of all of the work Joey has put in before that. So this compilation collects some of the best work from Joey’s mixtapes and free releases, mainly pre Mood Muzik 4, but there’s a few tracks from that on here too. So If you’re just now hearing about Joe Budden or you’ve just never really found something to get you into his music, this is a great way to start. This is just the beginning of a lot more dope music to come from Joe Budden. So click the download link and I hope you enjoy.

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