The 10 Best Mixtapes Of May

Are we already almost halfway through 2013? The past five months—and especially May—had some great mixtapes. But, let's not forget about some albums that got us excited for the summer.

The biggest album was French Montana’s Bad Boy debut Excuse My French, while the legendary Havoc put out his solo project, 13. New York is alive and well as Talib Kweli also dropped his fifth studio album Prisoner of Conscious. At the same time, hip-hop was thriving with a plethora of new mixtapes to digest.

While Kanye West, J. Cole and Mac Miller keep us on the edge of our seats for June 18, Travi$ Scott finally released his Owl Pharaoh mixtape. The 2013 XXL Freshmen made sure the project was everything we’d come to expect from him. In other areas of the mixtape arena, Hustle Gang proved they could shake things up with a compilation of their own. We also saw a return to form from Big Baby Gandhi, as well as another solid output from Logic a.k.a. Young Sinatra.

Check out our breakdown of May’s best mixtapes and keep your ear to the streets in June.

Previously: The 10 Best Mixtapes of April

Travi$ Scott, Owl Pharaoh

A few months ago, Travi$ Scott showed up at the XXL Freshmen cover shoot wearing an all black outfit and a matching bandana to cover his face. He was silent most of the time, but you could tell by his movements that he was reclusive. Often, he was jittery and spoke in short sentences, which only piqued people’s interest on finding out who this relatively unknown rapper was.

At our XXL Freshmen concert, the buzz was at an all-time high for his Owl Pharaoh mixtape dropping the same night. He first announced it in 2011 and would confirm a number of release dates the following year. In similar fashion to a perfectionist named Kanye West, Scott has meticulously weaved a strong tape that highlights his production and impressive lyricism. You would be hard-pressed to not find influences from West. But then again, Scott definitely proves his artistry is different, as seen in key tracks like “Bad Mood Shit On You” and “Dance On The Moon.” Even slow downed by delays, it was worth the wait. The music knocks.

Previously: La Flame Don’t Play No Games: My Day With Travi$ Scott

Hustle Gang, G.D.O.D.

T.I. saw huge success for his recent album, Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head. Deciding to return to his ATL roots, he gathered his Hustle Gang artists for a compilation mixtape, G.D.O.D. In an effort to demonstrate his team’s capabilities, the tape mixes trap anthems and radio songs. There’s a lot of talent that ranges across generations, from Young Dro and Trae Tha Truth to Iggy Azalea and Travi$ Scott. The big posse cuts here allow everyone to shine with clear standouts in “Kemosabe,” “2 Fucks,” and “Problems.” But of course, Tip wouldn’t let the group run alone without a few friends. Meek Mill, French Montana, Juicy J and others balance the tape out.

Previously: Mixtape Review: Hustle Gang, G.D.O.D.

Gangsta Boo, It's Game Involved

Gangsta Boo isn’t afraid to admit she’s been in the game longer than other female MCs. While newer hip-hop fans have gravitated to Nicki Minaj and Azealia Banks, older heads still get excited to hear new music from Boo. On It’s A Game Involved, the Hypnotize Minds member sticks to her script. She talks nasty on a few records, and even gets real gangster on others. (Hey, she didn’t earned the name for nothing.) Not to be bested by the new school, she brings them along to help broaden her sound. Rappers like SpaceGhostPurrp and Don Trip enter her world, and producer Drumma Boy paints the canvas. It’s everything we love about Gangsta Boo and more.

Big Baby Gandhi and Yuri Beats, America Eats Its Babies

While this is definitely a short affair - clocking in at only five tracks - it's a return to form for Gandhi, and listening to it reminds you how much of a shame it is dude decided to quit the rap game. On "Mr. 718," Gandhi flips lyrical witticisms and existentially rhymes, "Late at night, head out to grab a Sprite/Mix it with the OE, I don't have a life." According to producer Yuri Beats - who's production falls in the lexicon between Alchemist and Statik Selektah - America is a collection of stories from different characters, but on “718″ it’s hard to tell if BBG is playing himself or an over-the-top gritty New Yorker. And after a few listens, you realize that it doesn’t really matter.—Dan Buyanovsky

Tree, Sunday School II: When Church Lets Out

Chicago rapper Tree released his most high-profile tape called Sunday School II: When Church Lets Out. Teaming up with Creative Control, Tree found himself on course to make waves in rap with his unconventional production and rhymes. The second installment of the Sunday School series promises to give fans a deeper appreciation for what he calls Soul Trap. The tape includes bigger names like Danny Brown and Roc Marciano that appear on two singles. Other songs to look for are “Project Parties” and “The King.”

Previously: The Come Up: Tree

Logic, Young Sinatra: Welcome To Forever

Logic hasn’t slowed down since gracing this year’s XXL Freshmen cover. His latest mixtape, Young Sinatra: Welcome To Forever, is an accumulation of his non-stop grind so far. The Maryland MC soars on songs such as “The Come Up” and “Ballin’.” He also kicks a few bars with other XXL Freshman cover guys (Trinidad Jame$, Kid Ink) on “On The Low.” Overall, it’s a solid reminder that Logic’s unique style has helped earn his buzz. His debut album, which will be executive produced by No I.D., is slated for later this year.

August Alsina, The Product 2

August Alsina is a rising R&B artist you should watch in 2013. The Def Jam signee released his latest mixtape, The Product 2, that showed him blending some of his favorite tracks and making it his own. You'll find an homage to fellow New Orleans native Lil Wayne, as well as a rough around the edges version of Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie." Alsina isn't all about just covering artists, though; he incorporates original songs here that show promise. Check "I Luv This Shit" featuring Trinidad Jame$ or “Let Me Hit That” with Curren$y. Is R&B back? We'd assume so.

Young Jeezy & CTE, #ItsThaWorld

Young Jeezy doesn’t disappoint when he is feeding the streets with fresh material. In an effort to introduce the newly signed group, Doughboyz Cashout, he puts together a six-track EP titled #ItsThaWorld. The Detroit crew is showcased alongside names like YG, Rich Homie Quan and Yo Gotti. There are obvious influences to past Cash Money anthems found in songs like “Mob Life” and “Hella Ice.” Elsewhere, Jeezy flexes his mean-mugging rhymes on DJ Drama’s “4 What.” The EP is a sign that another full-length album from the CTE general is needed in 2013.

Sir Michael Rocks, While You Wait...

Ever since Sir Michael Rocks pursued his solo career in full force, he hasn't put the brakes on his output of new mixtapes. The Cool Kids member is currently polishing his for-purchase EP, Banco, and decided to hold fans over with While You Wait... We are not mind readers or anything, but the tape does foresee what he could possibly offer with a price tag. Ab-Soul and Mac Miller lend verses on “In A Minute” and “Madness” respectively. LoveRance from the Bay Area also lays down some groovy rhymes on “The Lobby.” All in all, the summertime selections just got a little better.

More Sir Michael Rocks:

Sir Michael Rocks Breaks Down His Best Album Covers
Sir Michael Rocks on The Cool Kids: “We Need to Develop Ourselves on the Solo Side”

Joey Fatts, Chipper Jones Vol. 2

Joey Fatts kept his promise of delivering something special after releasing his string of good videos. The Long Beach native has associated himself with the A$AP Mob, indicated in his recent collaborations with A$AP Rocky and Ty Beats. Chipper Jones Vol. 2 is an official release by A$AP Yams’ Yamborghini Records and has potential to have staying power this summer. Here, Fatts gathers heavy hitters such as Alchemist, 808 Mafia and Young Chop on the production, as well as buzzworthy rappers Action Bronson and Freddie Gibbs. If “Picture Me Rollin’” didn’t sell you on Fatts’ music, then his new mixtape will certainly deliver.