April was a bountiful month for mixtapes and new music. On the album front, Kid Cudi put out his Indicud LP, Ghostface teamed up with Adrian Younge for Twelve Reasons to Die, and the legendary R.A. the Rugged Man put out his stellar Legends Never Die LP. The real musical highlights of the month, though, came in free mixtapes from a truly diverse group of artists leading the way for the new underground.

While J. Cole continued to show his gratitude for his diehard fans with the second installment of his Truly Yours mixtape series, emerging Southern icon Big K.R.I.T. finally released his King Remembered In Time tape, and young Chicago standout Chance The Rapper put out an instant classic with his highly-anticipated Acid Rap. The mixtape circuit also saw releases from MMG young’n Rockie Fresh, and a comeback project from sexy songstress Cassie, who reinvented herself and her sound on the new RockaByeBaby.

Check out our breakdown of April’s best mixtapes.

Previously: The 10 Best Mixtapes of March

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Big K.R.I.T. is back with a new set of music. As promised, Krizzle releases King Remembered in Time, which features names such as Wiz Khalifa, Future, Trinidad James$ and more. The tape has the bulk of the production done by K.R.I.T., as well as a one-off track by 9th Wonder titled “Life Is A Gamble.”

Stream and download the tape over at LiveMixtapes.

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Big K.R.I.T. announced earlier this week he would be dropping his first single off King Remembered in Time. “Shine On” features Texas legend Bun B and is produced by Krizzle himself. As opposed to his earlier albums and mixtapes, this project will have a variety of producers contributing. Listen to the tape below.

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Big K.R.I.T. recently announced his upcoming LP, King Remembered In Time, to be released sometime this year. Krizzle teases fans once again with his lead single that features Bun B called “Shine On.” He is also in charge of the production as well. Check out the artwork above and be sure to grab the single releasing this Wednesday.

[via NahRight]

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Tha Joker is preparing to release his new project, The Explanation, on President’s Day. The first sample is “Can’t Change” that features Big K.R.I.T. and Tito Lopez. Produced by TyTy America, the slow and somber tune is perfect for the trio to vent their indifferences about a special someone. Check that out below.

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Crown Royal gets Big K.R.I.T. and 9th Wonder to put together a new song for their ongoing “Reign On” series. The song is set to premiere during the Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game telecasted on TNT. Check that out below, as well as some behind-the-scenes footage of their recording session.

“Reign On” Behind the Scenes:

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Ecko Unlimited is preparing to drop the Underground Airplay mixtape that should please a lot of heads. The first taste of the tape is “Underground Airplay” that features Big K.R.I.T. and Smoke DZA.

In the video, Joey and his whole crew are wandering the grimy streets of New York. The black and white filter is reminiscent of former crew videos, as seen in the Wu-Tang Clan or Mobb Deep. Check it out above.

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Big K.R.I.T. continues his string of storytelling visuals with “Rich Dad Poor Dad.” In the clip, we follow a young Krizzle through certain instances of his childhood and teenage years. This song appears on his album, Live from the Underground, which is out now. Check it out above.

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On October 18th, XXL, along with Cinematic Music Group and Ecko Unltd, presented “Remember When Rappers Could Rap?,” an evening entrenched with energetic performances from some of the game’s hottest young talents such as Big K.R.I.T., Smoke DZA, Joey Bada$$ and Fat Trel.

With newcomers Chance the Rapper and Cashius Green setting the energy of the stage to the right temperature, Brooklyn-bred rapper Joey Bada$$ along with his Pro Era posse performed songs off his critically acclaimed mixtape 1999. The young rapper’s yet-untitled new single is due out in early November through Green Label Sound. When asked about the new project, Joey claimed, “It’s going to be dope and I get to work with someone I consider an icon,” hinting an upcoming collaboration.

For the penultimate set, Smoke DZA—backed by his champagne-sipping entourage—bulldozed the stage. The Harlem native tore through his catalogue, earning a great crowd response, performing tracks off his recent release Rugby Thompson, entirely produced by Brooklyn’s Harry Fraud. DZA, with sweat dripping under his bucket hat, delivered a high-energy performance, keeping the lifted audience further elevated with lighters sparked throughout his set.

Finally, when Big K.R.I.T. took the stage mid-way through 10 p.m., he apologized in advance for cutting his set short, but proceeded to drop his country anthem “I Got This,” to an excited group of fans. With the stage all to himself, the Mississippi-born rapper blazed through his hyped-up, hook-driven bangers and proved to his New York constituency why he deserved to headline the event.

Are rappers still rapping? Last evening’s showcase clearly proved, “Yes, they’re rapping better than, ever.” —Nick De Molina (@odmod) and Anastasia Williams (@AAAAAnastasia)

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Cinematic Music Group, home to Big K.R.I.T., Joey Bada$$ and Pro Era, Smoke DZA and more, has inked a deal with Sony RED, it was announced on Thursday (August 23).

The pact between CMG and RED, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, enables the indie label (save for K.R.I.T., who is signed to Def Jam) to retain creative control and operational independence for his roster of acts, which includes new signees Fat Trel and Cashius Green.

CMG head and Smokers Club founder Jonny Shipes was ecstatic over the deal.

“This deal is so special to me because I am finally able to sign artists that I fuck with and believe in, and give those artists a chance to build their dreams while building mine,” he told XXLmag.com in a statement. “No more listening to these business men in power of music telling me what is hot and what is not. Now me, someone who knows music, is in charge of his own music venture. So in closing, fuck you very much majors and I hope you run out of money sooner than later.”

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