When people look back at the year in music for 2010, it will be defined in many different ways. They will talk about the artists who made an impact, the live performances the world saw in person or on YouTube, the albums that hit and missed.

But what they should be talking about is all the free music that became available via the Internet. With 2011 fast approaching, XXL takes a look back at hip-hop's new hustle. Whether you want to call them mixtapes or free albums, hip-hop artists today are no longer waiting for labels or even retail to pick up their album and sell it to their fans. Instead of saying "BUY MY ALBUM!" they're screaming "DOWNLOAD MY ALBUM!"

Well, we at XXL downloaded a lot of albums this year, hundreds of them. And in good old year-end fashion we had to make a list of the 100 best mixtapes we heard this year. We start things off with the 100-50.

100. Artist: Los
Mixtape: Shooter (Hosted by DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar)
Baltimore-based spitter Los' second mixtape this year was his strongest one yet, showcasing his versatile flow and establishing him as one of the game's brightest young emcees.

loading...

99. Artist: Das Racist
Mixtape: Shut Up, Dude
Das Racist proved themselves to be anything but 'joke rappers' on this mixtape - though it is extremely funny. They have excellent beats and the rhyme skills to match.

loading...

98. Artist: Outasight
Mixtape: Never Say Never
LRG presented this mixtape by the eclectic New York-based rapper/singer, featuring appearances from the likes of XV and Freddie Gibbs.

loading...

97. Artist: Terrace Martin
Mixtape: Here, My Dear
Terrace hit it out of the park with this smooth, Marvin Gaye-inspired mixtape, which is self-produced and features some of the West Coast's best new emcees, from Kendrick Lamar to Dom Kennedy.

loading...

96. Artist: Ra Diggs
Mixtape: Pray For My Enemies (Hosted By DJ Kayslay)
Before getting caught up in a case that has him facing life in prison, Ra Diggs dropped one of the grimiest mixtapes out of New York in a long time.

loading...

95.Artist: Bishop Lamont
Mixtape: The Shawshank Redemption: Angola 3
After leaving Aftermath earlier this year, Bishop dropped this killer mixtape, which features production from Dr. Dre, B!nk, Scoop Devile and more.

loading...

94. Artist: Uncle Murda
Mixtape: More Murda
As usual, Uncle Murda kept it gully on this release, bringing Styles P, N.O.R.E, Jay Rock, Los, Sheek Louch and more along for the ride.

loading...

93. Artist: Redman
Mixtape: Pancakes and Syrup
As the prequel to his new album Reggie (which is great, by the way), Redman dropped this dope mixtape, proving that he's still one of the best to ever do it.

loading...

92. Artist: Game
Mixtape: Red Room (Hosted by DJ Skee)
The R.E.D. Album still doesn't have a release date, but the Game more than made up for that with this mixtape, which hosts some of his most inspired rapping since Doctor's Advocate.

loading...

91. Artist: Curt@!n$
Mixtape: The Dissertation : The Wu-Thesis
Dope Boy C tackled a bunch of classic Wu-Tang instrumentals on this mixtape and managed to make them his own, which is the sign of a great emcee.

loading...

90. Artist: Soulja Boy
Mixtape: Legendary (Hosted by Dj Ill Will, Dj Rockstar & Dj Woogie)
Legendary is definitely one of the year's most swagged-out mixtapes - it does include "Pretty Boy Swag," after all - and shows just how much Soulja Boy has improved as an emcee.

loading...

89. Artist: Slim Thug
Mixtape: Pimpin' Slim
Thugga proved yet again why he's one of H-Town's finest on this one. Plus, it has one of the best mixtape covers of the year.

loading...

88. Artist: Termanology
Mixtape: 50 Bodies Vol. 3 (Hosted by DJ Green Lantern, Statik Selektah & DJ Deadeye)
You have to give Termanology props for going in over 50 instrumentals on one mixtape and truly bodying all of them.

loading...

87. Artist: Young Buck
Mixtape: Back On My Buck Shit Vol. 2: Change Of Plans
In the face of chatter about his career being over, Buck dropped this mixtape produced entirely by Drumma Boy, and shut everyone up.

loading...

86. Artist: Diggy Simmons
Mixtape: Past Presents Future (Hosted by DJ Premiere)
With the help of Primo, the heir to the hip-hop throne does his thing over classic instrumentals by Nas, Mobb Deep, A Tribe Called Quest and more.

loading...

85. Artist: Fashawn
Mixtape: Grizzly City 3 (Hosted by DJ Skee)
If there was any doubt as to why we pegged Fashawn as one our 2010 Freshman, this mixtape put it to rest - lyrically, very few in the game are touching him.

loading...

84. Artist: Droop-E
Mixtape: Blvck Diamond Life
As if it wasn't enough for him to be a great producer, Droop-E showed that he is also a very dope emcee with this Sade-inspired mixtape.

loading...

83. Artist: Jay Rock
Mixtape: Black Friday
After signing to Tech N9ne's Strange Music label, Watts, California's finest dropped this banger of a mixtape.

loading...

82. Artist: Reks
Mixtape: In Between The Lines 2 (Hosted by Statik Selektah, DJ Green Lantern & DJ Ill Will)
At 30 tracks long, Reks single-handedly held it down for authentic, boom-bap hip-hop in 2010 with this release.

loading...

81. Artist: STS
Mixtape: Demand More 2
STS' unique style, versatile flow and dope lyricism are all on full display on this release, and the production is on-point as well.

loading...

80. Artist: Cassidy
Mixtape: Apply Pressure 2 (Hosted by DJ Thoro & Big Mike)
Cassidy was totally in his element on this mixtape, showcasing the killer punchlines and hard-hitting flow that he's best known for.

loading...

79. Artist: Killa Kyleon
Mixtape: Natural Born Killa (Hosted by DJ Drama)
Killa Kyleon tears through all 18 tracks and reps H-Town to the fullest on this mixtape, which features appearances by Z-Ro, Gudda Gudda and Cory Mo.

loading...

78. Artist: Jae Millz
Mixtape: Dead Presidents (Hosted by DJ Whoo Kid & DJ Scream)
Millz really took it back to his battle rap days on this mixtape, sounding hungrier than we've heard him sound in quite some time.

loading...

77. Artist: Pac Div
Mixtape: Don't Mention It
California cool kids Pac Div managed to release a mixtape that is even better than 2009's Church League Champions, which was already incredibly dope.

loading...

76. Artist: Mistah F.A.B.
Mixtape:The Realest Shit I Never Wrote Pt. 3 (Hosted by DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar)
Mistah Fab's non-written freestyles on this tape are better than a lot of emcee's actual songs, which says a lot about the Bay Area gaint's talent.

loading...

75. Artist: Pastor Troy
Mixtape: G.I. Troy: Strictly 4 My Soldiers
The godfather of crunk has still got it, as is evidenced by this mixtape which goes extremely hard in the paint.

loading...

74. Artist: Jon Connor
Mixtape: Vinnie Chase Season 1
Flint, Michigan isn't exactly known for its rappers, but Jon Connor does his part to put his town on the map extremely well with this mixtape.

loading...

73. Artist: Moe Green
Mixtape:
Rocky Maivia: Non-Title Match
This smooth, laid-back mixtape by Bay-Area newcomer Moe Green is perfect for riding around on a nice, sunny day.

loading...

72. Artist: Lil Twist
Mixtape: The Takeover: Carte Blanche Edition (Hosted by DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar)
You're probably thinking "Lil Twist?!?," but Young Money's second-youngest member proved himself big time with this mixtape. Diggy definitely has some competition.

loading...



71. Artist: Young Dro
Mixtape:
Dro Street (Hosted By Greg Street)
T.I.'s right hand man showed us yet again why he is one of the game's most gifted emcees with this mixtape, displaying his dexterous flow on songs like "Freeze Me."

loading...

69. Artist: Red Café
Mixtape:
No Witnesses (Hosted By DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar)
No frills, no skinny jeans - just back-to-basics NY hip hop that shows why Red Café’s considered the future of the five boroughs.

loading...

68. Artist: Asher Roth
Mixtape:Seared Foie Gras with Quince and Cranberry (Hosted By DJ Wreckineyez)
Token white boy pop fluke proves emcee cred with freestyles over beats by Timbaland, Kanye, Just Blaze and J Dilla.

loading...

67. Artist: Cyhi Da Prynce
Mixtape:
Royal Flush
The Georgia G.O.O.D. Music signee delivers a diverse platter of love songs, hood anthems and lyrical showcases. “Ring Bellz” is the sure shot here.

loading...

66. Artist: Travis Porter
Mixtape:
Nicki (Strip Club Anthems) Hosted By DJ E Sudd
Does what it says on the tin, Nicki is further proof that some music needs to be heard on strip club speakers.

loading...

65. Artist: Kid Daytona
Mixtape:
The Interlude
Brilliant concept: The Bronx emcee raps over interludes from classic rap records. Tona’s slick cadence and clever lyrics make it work, even The Chronic intro!

loading...

64. Artist: Styles P and Sheek Louch
Mixtape: The Ghost And The Gorilla (Hosted By DJ Hitz)
The two LOX generals play off each other, Sheek’s comical energy perfectly balancing with P’s hood lessons and nonchalant violence. Yonkers stand up!

loading...

63. Artist: Plies
Mixtape: You Need People Like Me Hosted By DJ Scream
The strongest material on the shelf from the Floridian goon. In between death threats, Plies channels Pac on his heartfelt dedication to Boosie.

loading...

62. Artist: Theophilus London
Mixtape: I Want You
With eclectic taste and ready pop instincts, London creates an ideal mix of indie and hip-hop tailor made for rocking stages. Your girl’s already got this one.

loading...

61. Artist: Bow Wow
Mixtape: Green Light II Hosted by DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar
Bow Wow steps up his game, making a case to take the one-time child star seriously in the R&B/rap lane. Watch your back Drake.

loading...

60. Artist: Maino
Mixtape:Art of War Hosted by DJ Drama
Maino returns to his mixtape roots, promising speed knots and buck 50s for his enemies. Suburban cats, hear this and understand the definition of “gully”.

loading...

59. Artist: Yo Gotti
Mixtape: Cocaine Muzik 4 Hosted by DJ Drama
Gotti puts Memphis up with this street ready tape. “Touchdown” murders a proper system while “Men Lie, Women Lie” with Weezy is crazy.

loading...

58. Artist: Mickey Factz
Mixtape: I'm Better Than You
Look past the nuthuggers, Mickey can really spit. Witty rhymes and tough beats, it’s hard to believe people slept on this tape.

loading...

57. Artist: Reek Da Villain
Mixtape: The Gift: The Mixtape Album
Busta Rhymes’ protégé drops tape indebted to gritty 90s NY. “Mechanics” brings it back to ‘98 with spotlight verses by DMX and Meth.

loading...

56. Curt@!n$
Mixtape: Killer Tape - Curt@!n$
Punchline rap for Hypebeast readers, Curt@!n$ins assumes the mantle of Grand Puba for a new generation. Worth it for the Kanye freestyles alone.

loading...

55. Artist: Young Jeezy
Mixtape: Last Laugh Hosted by DJ Folk
The Snowman claws back his territory with a collection of trap-ready bangers. Give this man a release date already, people.

loading...

54. Artist: XV
Mixtape:Vizzy Zone Hosted By DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar
On this strong, cohesive tape, the Kansas emcee proves his versatility by switching from fast-paced braggadocio to introspection in the blink of an eye.

loading...

53. Artist: The Cool Kids
Mixtape: Tacklebox
No one’s better at rapping about kicks and chicks over minimalist beats. Turn up your boombox and work your scrunchface.

loading...

52. Artist: Smoke DZA
Mixtape: George Kush Da Button
Exemplary weed rap from Harlem representative, over expansive, luxurious Ski production. “Etc Etc” with Spitta and Big K.R.I.T. is the joint, this tape is only built for sour diesel.

loading...

51. Artist: Pill
Mixtape: The Overdose Hosted by DJ Drama
Uncompromising gangsta music by the explosive lyricist from Atlanta. He and Killer Mike work magic on “Westsiders” while “G Shit” slaughters the “Real Gs” beat.

loading...

50. Artist: Jim JonesThe Ghost of Rich Porter
Mixtape: The Ghost of Rich Porter
Nah, Jimmy still isn't an elite lyricist, but his greasy charisma is contagious and the beats are stellar. “My Life Is A Movie” with Kingpin Slim, straight nails.

loading...

More From XXL