In honor of the inaugural season of the Brooklyn Nets, which kicks off this week, SLAM magazine and Mick Boogie teamed up for this new mixtape, Brooklyn Originals. WIth appearances from Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Troy Ave, MC Lyte, Tanya Morgan and more, the project celebraties the borough and its MCs. Check it out below, and see what Mick Boogie had to say, as well.

When I made the decision to move to NYC 5 years ago, I had a choice: Manhattan or Brooklyn. When I looked at my life, my tastes, my influences and my background, Brooklyn was the obvious choice. Brooklyn to me is one of the best places on earth. Inspiration is everywhere, whether it’s art, music, architecture, cuisine and now sports.

I grew up a Celtics and Cavs fan, but how can you not love the excitement this team is bringing to Brooklyn? I actually live right across the street from the Barclays Center and will be in attendance often. I also did this ad campaign (see above) for adidas that has been promoting the Nets and there is a picture of me hanging in the Nets team store, my wife and I laugh every time we walk past it.

The idea behind the Brooklyn Originals project came from not only my love and respect for Brooklyn hip-hop artists and their music but also my excitement for the upcoming NBA season and the new era of basketball in New York. I thought it would be cool to combine the logos and imaging of two of the biggest brands out right now–the BROOKLYN Nets and adidas ORIGINALS–into a mixtape project that represented hip-hop to the fullest. Musically, some of my favorite hip-hop memories were listening to and getting to know legendary Brooklyn crews like Duck Down, Black Star and Digable Planets and I have always wanted to do an all-Brooklyn themed project.

People may remember that Lil’ Wayne and I started a “Hello Brooklyn” project years ago that he sadly never got around to finishing. Fortunately for me, the timing of the NBA season plus my relationship with adidas, SLAM and XXL has offered the perfect opportunity to do the all-Brooklyn project that I have had envisioned for quite some time.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working on projects with so many Brooklyn legends like Talib Kweli, Tanya Morgan and Skyzoo who were gracious enough to contribute to this project. Brooklyn Originals has also allowed me to reach out and work with the new crop of Brooklyn MCs who are breathing life into the scene and doing things in their own unique way. Artists and groups like Troy Ave, Pro Era (shoutout to the homie CJ Fly), Mr. MF’n Exquire, Maffew Ragazino and Nitty Scott, MC are all representing the right way and the future has never looked better for the borough. When it came time to do this, everyone–both old school and new school–came to plate with some awesome material that you will get to hear for the first time today.

Most people grow up wanting a mansion or the house with the white picket fence; me, I wanted a brownstone. Whenever I’m walking around the neighborhoods of Brooklyn listening to Digable’s “Blowout Comb” or Biggie’s “Ready to Die” it feels natural and historic.

I may not be originally from Brooklyn, but I am absolutely a Brooklyn Original.

—Mick

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