Fresh from the mixtape comes a video; Maino does not mess about!
One reason why I’ve always kept my ear out for Maino’s music is because he is, without any doubt, credible. If he says he’ll punch you in the face, you know he’ll do it. Last of the Mohicans echoes that sentiment, where he and Push Montana tell us they’re part of a dying breed, which I can certainly agree with (looking at the types of rappers that currently get all the plaudits!).
Push Montana is fast becoming one of my favourite ‘unknown’ rappers about too. Get the mixtape here.
The tagline to this mixtape reads ‘the album before the album’ and boy is that the truth. After recent impressive mixtapes from Rick Ross and Saigon, where the quality of material was as high/higher than most rapper’s albums, Maino follows up with an equally as impressive mixtape. 21 tracks and feature-heavy (Maino’s upcoming sophomore album will only have a couple features at the most!) there’s something for everyone here.
Great use of sampling of some classic lines from the epic TV series, The Wire. Real nice touch which gives the mixtape a concept feel. Visit the link below to go stream and download the mixtape!
Another very diverse episode this week, with some mainstream folk sitting alongside a couple of old-school favourites to provide a little bit of everything.
As Indi is out on important OTU business this evening I’m stepping in to cover a post that otherwise he would have his sweaty little mitts all over.
Over a pulsating production, Maino drops some typically braggadocio-conscious lyrics with that characteristic Brooklyn-style that many of the emcees emanating from that area possess. I’m not sure I’ll check for this again, but Maino fans will want to get their hands on this as I’m sure Indi will (probably already has).
This is a track that sounds exactly as you’d imagine to before feasting your ears upon it.
Two of New York’s best ‘gangsta’ spitters collaborating on a banging track. I don’t have much to add on that; consider it easy listening. Download below.
Maino, who is no stranger to tribute tracks, gives us a song in honour of Biggie (who died 14 years ago today!).
The beat on this is one that you could imagine Biggie would tear apart with his immense storytelling abilities on the mic. Not my favourite Biggie tribute ever, in fact Maino’s featured on one before that happens to be probably one of my fave tributes ever.
New mixtape from DJ Kay Slay which features a whole host of familiar names. From the likes of Raekwon, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Styles P, Papoose, Vado, Maino and Ghostface Killah, we can see a huge New York influence on this mixtape (wouldn’t expect any less from Kay Slay!).
Click this bit of red text to grab hold of this tape and click the red text below to check out the tracklist!
Some visuals from a track that featured on Maino’s Art Of War mixtape last year. You may recognise the club hit of a sample used in this, if you do please tell me which song it’s from, I actually can’t remember and it’s doing my head in!
Maino certainly likes to make motivational music, and as for the video itself – I definitely would not like to get in a boxing ring with him.
I look forward to these from Maino, with his 2009 edition being a fun (and frighteningly accurate) listen. A few rappers have tried this since, but you can’t beat the originator.
Maino comes through once again with an entertaining effort, making some interesting predictions alongside a couple of safer ones. Good raps as ever though, as he articulates and intertwines his predictions nicely, using his commendably-clear delivery to bring them to life. Definitely worth a listen for some easygoing hip-hop.
#MonsterMondays have been really strong in recent weeks, and this week we get a Maino single with assistance from some of New York’s more prominent rappers.
The production is built around a California Love sample, with touches of claps, horns and a thudding percussion coming together in an upbeat and positive manner. Arguably, the sample could have been used a little better, but it does make for easy listening and each rapper approaches the track with good flows, with Joell unsurprisingly coming through with the most memorable verse.
For some reason, the original to this track wasn’t posted on this site. I guess it got lost in the shuffle, but a chance to put that right has opened up with the official remix. Fellow Brooklynite Maino and Lloyd Banks, a man who has had a superb 2010, feature on this, with Banks in particular having a superb verse to this very pure and yet unusual production. You can listen to it here on the site and also download it below.
Looks like Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden is working on some solo material. This is pretty decent stuff too, with a light rock/alternative production embellished by claps and pop-infused background vocals to create a mainstream-ready track.
Ridiculously catchy hook on this too, which certainly helps the chances of this being a successful hit. Maino come through with a high-tempo, upbeat flow on his verse that highlights his growing versatility as a rapper: it’s the most mainstream feature I’ve heard him on, and he’s done himself justice. Surprisingly decent pop-alternative track.
Like buses eh? I’ve been waiting ages for my favourite rappers to hop on what is a brilliant track, and months on we’ve got Maino and Crooked I doing their versions in the space of a few days!
I’m a massive fan of Maino (as I’m sure you all know), but I have to admit that Crooked tore the beat to shreds to the point where Maino probably shouldn’t have bothered going in on it too. Still a good remix by Maino, as his flow is very easy on the ears.
Maino samples the Chaka Khan classic for a decent upbeat track. It’s not clear whether this will be on his sophomore album or not (sample clearance will probably prevent that) but it’s definitely worthy from a quality standpoint: the sampled melody is taken on with ease by Maino, who brings his ever-catchy flow along with clear raps. The hook is sung by little-known Priscilya Marie, who admirably opts to use different lyrics and hence makes sure the Ain’t Nobody sample doesn’t overshadow the track.
After the jump, a couple of Kanye-related tracks, a Cam’ron tribute to a fallen soldier, Sway, Grafh and a posse cut which features 3 heavy hitting New York rappers.
Oh and a collaboration between Jadakiss and Uncle Murda. In retrospect a pretty New York influenced post here, but would you expect any less from me?
Some new material from Maino, and what we have here is a very dope concept for a song. Always good to hear Maino bring us something a little different from the standard straight G sh*t he normally comes out with, definitely showing some growth as an artist here.
Maino’s continuous rollout of all things visual continues with the video for his nice collabo with Joell. I was excited when I saw two of OTU’s favourite rappers were working together, and this track certainly didn’t disappoint.
The final part of Maino’s film. This one has some scenes which probably shouldn’t be viewed by those who are at work/uni/school though. Check out Parts 1 and 2 (here, and here).
Lots of things I could pick out in this week’s episode, but probably the most prominent would be the features: there are lots of them! A couple of unexpected ones too, including Asher Roth’s first appearance in R&B Fridays.
Remember when these all-star guest tracks were rare? Those were the days. It seems like there’s one every couple of days, which massively dilutes their novelty.
Having said that, the line-up for this one is probably stronger on average than other recent posse cuts. Original can be found here.
In addition to the release of his mixtape today, Maino has released part 1 of what can be described as a music video/independent film hybrid. The two songs being played in this video are from his debut album (of the same name as this film, which was released June of last year), if you read my review of it, you’d remember how cinematic I felt the album was. These visuals certainly further cement those thoughts of mine!
First off, sorry for the confusion over the last day or two: we’ve been making some changes on our side of things, which will hopefully improve your experience on the site in the long run! Things may still look a little funny occasionally, but don’t fret, it’s probably intentional/being worked on!
Back to the music: Maino lets loose of his much anticipated mixtape, helmed by DJ Drama. I’m looking forward to this one as it’s always great getting a bulk of new Maino material, and he seems to be gaining a stronger foothold in hip-hop with every track he leaks. Be sure to give the mixtape a go in the player, where you can also download it.
This is one of the best posse cuts I’ve heard in quite a while. A beat that would sound great in your car and an auto-tuned hook that is nothing particularly special, but still does the job of getting stuck in your head.
Oh, and four rappers who are all renowned for their impeccable flows, fondness of money and hard-hitting lyrics.
In the mess that was yesterday’s ‘technical difficulties’, there were a couple of collabos that didn’t get posted. Throw those in with another from earlier today, and we’ve got a nice little triple pack for you. Enjoy.
Also featuring DJ Drama, Yo Gotti, Diamond & Shawty Lo, this is one monster of a remix! With a beat that’s full of lots of bass this is one posse cut you probably don’t want to miss out on.
Visuals for this Maino and DJ Suss-One banger have been released, I never posted the audio for this when it dropped, so I can kill two birds with one stone here. Liking the Lil’ Wayne sample on this West Coast sounding production, which is off DJ Suss One’s album, The Feature Presentation.
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