What a no-brainer idea for a top of the year mixtape.  A compilation of some hot stuff you might have missed from the year previous.  Folks, if you think hip-hop was asleep for most of 2009, think again.  J-Live (yes, the rapper…who also DJs) was cool enough to make a mixtape highlighting some of the best of what last year had to offer.  If you’re up on game, nothing on here is going to shock you.  But it’s a great to put someone onto what’s been making speakers rattle as of late.  In J-Live’s words…

Basically, I got tired of hearing a lot of people say stuff like, “there’s nothing new out…” or “hip-hop is wack now.”  Upon hearing this I usually run down a list of names of new artists and even old artists with new albums and ask if they’ve heard of’em. Nope! These people have no idea. There’s a lot of good new hip-hop. You just have to do the knowledge and keep your ears open. These are some of my favorites from 2009 alone. Enjoy!

01 J-Live – DTK Intro
02 Jay Electronica – Exhibit A (Transformations)  
03 Skyzoo – Return of the Real  
04 Royce da 5’9″ f / Bun B & Joel Ortiz – Hood Love  
05 Wale – Mama Told Me
06 Marco Polo & Torae – Word Play 
07 Senor Kaos – Automatic Classic (remix)
08 Mos Def – Priority  
09 Mr Lif & Bahamadia – Breathe
10 OC & AG – Give It Back 
11 Nipsey Hussle f/ Snoop Dogg – The Life
12 Edo. G & Masta Ace f/ Pos – Good Music 
13 DJ Spinna f/ Fresh Daily, P.Casso & Homeboy Sandman – Get On Down  
14 Tanya Morgan f/ Blu – Morgan Blu  
15 Zion I f/ Brother Ali – Caged Bird Pt. 1
16 Jay Are – The Lee Morgan Story  
17 Chali 2na f/ Elzhi of Slum Village – When Will I See You Again 
18 Jay Z f/ Luke Steele – What We Talkin’ About 
19 Raekwon f/ Ghostface Killah & Cappadonna – 10 Bricks
20 Daimond District – I Mean Business 
21 Tiye Phoenix – Stop Right There  
22 Method Man & Redman f/ Ready Roc & Streetlife – How Bout Dat  
23 Living Proofe – Rise 
24 J. Cole – Lights Please  
25 KRS-One & Buckshot f/ Talib Kweli – Oh Really 
26 Busta Rhymes f/ Jamie Foxx, Mary J Blige, John Legend & Common – Decision