Second Season Finale

It's been two whole years since Stack That Cheese was born. What started as a way to get involved within ACRN has become a weekly celebration of all that rap stands for, both good and bad. After looking back at the past 40-something posts, I can positively say that STC has really grown and so have I in the process. Thanks to whoever reads this, no matter what your reason.

To celebrate two years of hip-hop reviews, I decided to compile my favorite releases that I have reviewed. After starting with a list of over a dozen memorable mixtapes, I've whittled it down to a mere five. But before we get to those, let's just remember some of the tapes that didn't quite make the cut but were pretty gosh darn close.

Honorable Mentions:

Young Thug & Bloody Jay - Black Portland

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. Young Thug is one of the most fascinating rumors of recent memory. From the questionable fashion choices that lead to speculation over his sexuality to the constant rumors involving him and Young Money, Young Thug has taken everything crazy about this current Southern Renaissance and made it even crazier. Whether he will continue to remain so interesting has yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure: I'll always love "Danny Glover," and that's a Stack That Cheese promise.

King Los - Becoming King

Los has been one of the most impressive lyricists since he first stepped in the game. However, he never really had that "it" factor. That was until he became King. Becoming King was the first time that Los actually acted like the star everyone always knew he could be. Honestly, if this was a month ago, this would have made it into my top five easily. However, with King Los leaving Bad Boy (again) and releasing a mixtape that dropped slightly in quality, it seems the King still has some work to do before he rules over a court.

Flatbush Zombies - Better Off Dead

This was by far the hardest tape to leave out of the top five. I was accidentally on a real East Coast kick this past September. Artists like MeLo-X and CJ Fly proved how unique the Beastcoast movement was when done right. But no one, not even Joey Bada$$ himself, had as distinct a sound as the Flatbush Zombies. The Zombies managed to create a rap-rock hybrid that always been impressive. Their gritty sound can be matched by few and the fact that they had a Danny Brown feature launched it over the edge. It was a fantastic effort on their part and I can't wait to see what's up next for the East Coasters.

Now, time for the five best mixtapes this writer has ever reviewed. It was a tough list to compile and I'll probably change my mind within a month, but all of these mixtapes deserve praise no matter what.

5. YG - Just Re'd Up 2

I don't know what it is, but I have a huge soft spot for YG, and it all started with this tape.

YG is that ratchet rapper that you can't help but love. Sure, King Los and the Flatbush Zombies have better lyrics, but there's just something about the way YG carries himself that makes him so irresistible. It doesn't hurt, either, that he's got DJ Mustard on his side.

Looking back, this mixtape is even better now than it was back then. Since this tape was released, multiple guest stars have gotten fame of their own, from Ty Dolla $ign to Young Scooter, Just Re'd Up 2 has become a who's who of guest stars.

And then there's how awesome My Krazy Life turned out to be. On one hand, that shows how much better Just Re'd Up could have been, but on the other hand it just makes you like the guy even more. Plus, as much as I love "My Nigga," nothing will replace the pure insanity that is "Make It Clap."

4. Big K.R.I.T. - K.R.I.T. (King Remembered in Time)

As much as this Southern Renaissance in hip-hop is growing on me (I'm even starting to like some Future), there's still nothing better going on in the South than Big K.R.I.T.

K.R.I.T. has long been a power house in the Southern hip-hop community. Ever since he first burst on the scene in 2010, he's proven to be one the most authentic lyricists that hip-hop had to offer. And K.R.I.T. proved that stereotype to be true.

On his self-titled mixtape, K.R.I.T. brought a classic Southern sound that could have easily been on a UGK album. And the lyrics, as always, were spot-on. I'm really looking forward to his next project due out this year, especially since his last one turned out so good.

3. Action Bronson - Rare Chandeliers

Four words: Action Bronson and Alchemist. That's all you need to know in order to confirm this is a good mixtape. Alchemist has this way about him that allows him to make every artist sound good, but Bronson is a whole 'nother story.

What's so amazing about this mixtape is how perfectly the pairing goes together. Action Bronson is one of the most terrifying rappers around, always striking fear into the listener. And Alchemist makes some of the darkest, grimiest beats around. So together, the duo is basically a horror movie with better music.

I'm still embarrassed I didn't name this the best mixtape of Season One. Rare Chandeliers is the scariest form of perfection. Plus, it is the coolest mixtape cover ever.

2. CyHi The Prince - Black Hystori Project

This one is just flat out unfair. CyHi fans and most people in the hip-hop scene knew something like this was possible, but damn does it feel good to see CyHi actually achieving it.

The GOOD Music artist has been making music for a few years now. His Ivy League tapes and his appearances on GOOD Music affiliated songs have especially proven how strong of an artist The Prince was. But nothing he's done has ever been this good. Hell, I would say this has been one of the best releases in rap all year, and it's been a year crowded with quality releases.

The production on this was perfect, matching the mood of CyHi's lyrics exactly on every single song. And the concept behind this album--to pay tribute to the trailblazers of the black community--isn't a new one, but the way CyHi executes it makes it feel as if it is. This guy has to release a record soon or I'm going to go insane.

1. Vic Mensa - Innanetape

Who else could it be?

Vic Mensa's Innanetape was not only one of the best mixtapes of 2013, but it was one of the best releases of any genre. I ranked it fifth among all albums last year and I'm standing by that claim.

Outside of Chance the Rapper, Vic is just about the most inspired young rapper, embracing styles that most other hip-hop artists wouldn't even think of trying. Innanetape is the perfect example of this.

From the funky "Lovely Day" to the bubbly electronic "Run!" From the trappy "Yap Yap" to the soulful "Holy Holy" (which includes an emotional verse from Ab-Soul), there's nothing Vic Mensa can't do. Thanks to him and Chance, Chicago has a bright future that's only going to get brighter with time.

Cyhi The Prynce, Buddy, Money EDD

The Good:

Cyhi The Prynce - Hystori: Black History Project

Cyhi The Prynce is so commonly recognized as the most underrated G.O.O.D. Music artist that it's easy to forget he deserves more recognition. If he's getting recognition on the message boards, isn't that enough?

Then you listen to the latest Cyhi project and you remember that he's low-key one of the best rappers in the game and deserves to be treated like one.

Hystori is largely a socially conscious album that pays tribute to great African Americans that helped pave the way for men like Cyhi. What's interesting is that he seems to pay tribute to actual activists through song titles while mimicking black musicians through the production, which was overseen by Mr. G.O.O.D. Music himself, Kanye West.

This can be heard as soon as the first track, "Huey," starts, which sounds like Yeezy got to Hova's "Hard Knock Life." In the song, Cyhi sounds an awful lot like Kanye, especially when he delivers the slightly egotistical bars that you can't even be mad at because they're kinda true, like "So next time you say, 'The A' got no lyricists' / I just think you gotta taste this exquisite shit." Plus, everyone's favorite Chicago gangster, King Louie (they call him Tony), comes through for a downright dirty verse.

"Basquiat" is another clear allusion to black art, both in the physical sense and the musical sense. The beat samples "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock while the lyrics pay tribute to the artistic integrity of graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. It's an interesting combination and it might be meant to show the difference between the two sides of art. What's really mind-blowing--if it's intentional, that is--is that Basquiat died in 1988, the same year "It Takes Two" was released. Cyhi is a clever rapper, but he's taking it to a whole new level on this one.

Cyhi didn't forget about his ancestors, either, as shown on "Mandela," where The Prince raps over African tribal drums in honor of the late South African activist.

Ultimately, Cyhi compares himself to some of these great activists and musicians. Sure, on paper that sounds like a bit much. But when listening to Hystori, it seems completely feasible. And with Cyhi's first actual album currently in the works, Hystori is just the beginning.

The BadPharrell:

Buddy - Idle Time

Kendrick Lamer, Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Sir Michael Rocks, Asher Roth, Casey Veggies and Freddie Gibbs. What do all these artists have in common? They all probably owe some favor to Pharrell and decided to pay him back by being featured on Buddy's debut mixtape.

That's right--the Compton native is lucky enough to have this all-star lineup on his first ever mixtape. How, you ask? He probably sold his soul to Pharrell. But if Pharrell has taught as anything, it's that being able to work with the Neptune is much more rewarding than any soul.

What's even crazier than the list of features is how long Idle Time has been in the works. Pharrell's little Buddy has been working on this mixtape for over three years. If only Pharrell spent that much time on his hat choices. HEYO! Pop culture references!

That being said, every year was well worth it. Smokey the Bear was able to craft a pop rap masterpiece for Buddy, and that should be huge as the West Coast rapper goes forward.

However, that doesn't mean this is good actual rap. Don't get me wrong, I love Pharrell and couldn't be happier that he has become one of the most influential people in the music industry. But, he's come a long way from the mastermind behind some of hip-hop's biggest acts and has since drifted heavily into Billboard Top 100 territory.

That's all good for Pharrell & Co., but when listening to an artist like Cyhi The Prince right before Buddy, Idle Time seems much too shallow.

"Smoke Signals," which is produced by Pharrell and features Miley, is an extremely catchy song that properly layers the Queen of Twerk underneath Buddy's vocals to give the song a bit of a soulful feel. However, when getting down to it, it's just about getting high with a girl.

These problems become even more evident when Buddy is put side-by-side with hip-hop elites like Lamar and Sir Michael.

"Agitated," which is especially notable for the Cool Kids reunion between Sir Michael and producer Chuck Inglish, just makes Buddy look foolish. While Buddy's rhyming with repetition, Michael has consecutive bars with the same rhyme scheme without repeating himself once. 

And Kendrick's verse on "Staircases" makes the metaphors in Buddy's verse seem like it was written by a child. Hell, Kendrick even spells out his usage of metaphors when he raps, "This rapping's just a metaphor and I deserve a medal for / Writing another metaphor, about ambition," and even that is more complex than Buddy. Lonely Island was a better fit for Kendrick than this youngin'. 

Idle Time accomplishes exactly what it wanted: to be catchy without much effort. And the large amount of features is enough to make the mixtape tolerable. But ultimately, this is more pop than rap, which isn't what hip-hop mixtapes are all about.

The Re-dic-yu-lus:

Money EDD - Scrilla Season

Here's a list of things this mixtape does right:

1. Uses the term "scrilla."

And that's it. I don't know why, but I've always just really liked the term "scrilla" to describe money. Same with "guap." I should really start using them more...

Sorry, I was just trying to distract myself from the actual mixtape, Scrilla Season. Good title, bad content.

One of the things that annoys me most about Money EDD (is it "Ee Dee Dee" or "Ed?") is that he thinks a hook just has to be one semi-cool sounding sentence repeated consistently. This seems to be a problem with a lot of rappers these days, but Double Dee over here takes this to an extreme. Actually, scratch that. He's not Double Dee. If he's anyone from Ed, Edd & Eddy, it's definitely Eddy. He even kind of looks like him. 

Ha! Look at that! I was kind of kidding but he actually does kind of look like an older Eddy. Even the big ears. Now EDDy has done two things right with Scrilla Season.

Sorry, I have ADD when it comes to EDD. Hot damn, I'm on a roll. But back to this whole screaming a shitty hook thing. "Floating" is a good example of this. The hook switches off between "I'm riding around witchyo girl" and one line where EDDy just sings really horribly. And then the verse starts and, to his credit, EDDy does manage some semi-decent rhymes. However, the quality is so subpar and the annoying phaser synth beat can really get on a writer's nerves.

Looking back, this looks kinda weird

And actually, doesn't this whole mixtape kind of look like something Eddy would do? I could just imagine him asking Double Dee to help out with production, but then he'd refuse, so Eddy would go to Ed, but he would do such a bad job that Double Dee would have to step in. And then they'd try to sell it to get jaw breakers, but no one would buy it. Poor Eddy.

Listening to this production, it sounds much more Ed than Double Dee. The beats are usually just a collection of boring synths or overly simple instrumentation. There's also a large amount of really stupid Auto-Tune that this writer can't stand.

Actually, the more I think about this, the more I realize this mixtape is worse than anything the Eds could come up with. Even Plank could do a better job at a mixtape than EDD. Sorry, EDD, but you're not making any scrilla off Scrilla Season. No jaw breakers for you.

So Re-Dic-Yu-Lus

This is an emotional Stack That Cheese for me, I'm not going to lie. As regular readers know, here at Stack That Cheese we like to look at the absolute worst mixtapes of the week. We call these albums "re-dic-yu-lus." And for those of you who don't know why, it's because I love how Swizz Beats says "ridiculous" during the hook of "So Apalled" off Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. And today, two of those featured artists from that song are here on Stack That Cheese. (No, Jay-Z and Kanye did not decide to release competing mixtapes the same week.) I'll try not to cry, but no promises can be made.

The Good:

Cyhi The Prince - Ivy League: Kick Back

Cyhi might be one of the most underrated members of G.O.O.D. music. He consistently shows up on his guest verses, but doesn't get the love that others like Big Sean or even G.O.O.D. Music collaborator 2 Chainz get. But on Ivy League: Kick Back, Cyhi proves just how good and versatile he is.

On "Mary Jane," Cyhi shows his abilities as stoner rapper. Obviously, a song called "Mary Jane" is most likely about weed. On this track, Cyhi talks about his love for the drug and how "Mary Jane bought [him] everything." With a nice, laid-back beat and a feature from Smoke DZA, it's a great track to smoke to.

Rodgers & Hammerstein
were pretty hood, though.

And he proves he can take on more serious issues with "Favorite Things," which is a more hood version of the song "These are a Few of My Favorite Things" from Sound of Music. On the track, Cyhi talks about growing up without the finer things, saying, "None of us were accustomed to being rich / Unless you was a hustler, hustling flipping bricks." The heavier lyrics accompanied by a piano-based beat produced by The Audibles work together to make this one of the best songs on the mixtape.

Djonald Glover Unchained?

Cyhi even shows his comedic side on "Young, Rich, Fly & Famous." One of my favorite lines from this song has to be, "She said, 'What kind of jeans are those.' I told her, 'Bitch, guess' / She said, 'True Religion.' I said, 'No, bitch. Guess.'" I honestly don't know what makes this line so ridiculously hilarious. It's such a stupid line and if nearly any other rapper said it, it wouldn't be as funny. But Cyhi manages to pull it off. Childish Gambino also shows up for a great verse, including the line, "Chain on my neck, like, boy's so Django / The 'D' is silent. My d is violent." That's right! Troy from Community is rapping about Django Unchained. I can die happy now.

Kick Back is an incredibly solid effort from Cyhi. With this mixtape, the young G.O.O.D. Music star shows just how bright his future is.

The Bad:

Pusha T - Wrath of Caine

If you would have told me a month ago--hell, a week ago--that friend of ACRN Pusha T's latest mixtape would be subpar, I would have thought you were crazy. But here we are, with the G.O.O.D. Music veteran in "the bad." (Ironic, isn't it?)

Most likely, this mixtape is compiled of left-overs from his upcoming album My Name Is My Name that should be out in March. So, it is excusable that the songs would be less than quality. However, that doesn't change the fact that Pusha T failed to show up.

What is most confusing about this mixtape is that Pusha has three features from Maybach Music and none from his own label. "Millions" features Maybach Music's boss himself, Rick Ross. Pusha opens the song up by saying that when G.O.O.D. Music and Maybach get together, they "get that money." But if this song says anything about the relationship between the two labels, they probably don't get that much money together. There's really not much to say about "Millions." It's just adequate. And it drags on for way too long. I was ready for the song to be over after Ross' verse, but there were still two-and-a-half minutes left.

Production is another major issue with Wrath of Caine. "Doesn't Matter," produced by Renegades, just seems to be off on the timing. It's almost confusing how anyone thought this would be aesthetically pleasing. And "Trust You" is an example of a good song being ruined by a bad hook. The hook, sung by Kevin Gates, seems overly saturated. And this is a problem that seems to come up time and time again.

The best song is probably "Revolution," produced by The Neptunes. With some cymbals and horns, mixed with some good lines ("Took our coach down, Al Davis."), it's hard not to like. Sadly, it's also the second shortest song on the 11-track mixtape, coming in at 1:43.

Wrath of Caine is far from horrible. But Pusha T is capable of so much more. Hopefully, he's saved the best for My Name Is My Name. And I refuse to believe otherwise until he proves it himself.

The Re-dic-yu-lus:

TSC - Life Love & Music

With such a momentous reunion of the "So Appalled" crew, it's essential to honor them with a mixtape as re-dic-yu-lus as they come. And thanks to TSC, Cyhi and Pusha T can be honored properly.

I don't know much about TSC. Okay, I don't know anything about TSC. But what I do know, thanks to his description of his mixtape on datpiff, is that he still relies on AOL to receive his email. That's right. AOL. You remember that, right? It was the service you used to flirt with "sokkerstud94" while asking your friend "b@kstreetgurl" if she thought sokkerstud like-liked you. And that's what TSC still uses. Clearly, the dude's old-school.

But he's not old-school in the Joey Bada$$ "bring hip-hop back to Brooklyn" way. He's old-school in the "I still use horrible recording equipment" way.

As soon as Life Love & Music starts, you can just tell TSC doesn't know what the fuck he's doing. In the song "Pretty Girl," the volume levels are off, proved by the fact that the beat soars over him and the hook is so loud that you need to turn down the volume.

Skip 11 tracks down to the song "When Da Angels Come," and now the volume is so much quieter. Even the verses from "Pretty Girl" are louder. And by the end of the song, the volume is somehow even lower. Along with the volume issues, TSC's flow is just absolutely horrid. It's hard to tell exactly what his rhyme scheme is and when one line ends and the other begins.

Based on Life Love & Music, TSC should probably consider switching to Gmail, along with changing his recording equipment, tweaking his flow, or maybe even just quitting rap in general.

-- Xavier Veccia, dropping the mic for now.

@xprime_time