Atlanta's top 11 (mostly) street mixtapes of 2011
Local yokels that the streets (and the 'burbs) were bumping all year
After a few relatively wayward years, Atlanta hip-hop returned with a vengeance in 2011. Killer Mike dropped an album so good it made the storied I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind sound meek by comparison; T.I. and Andre 3000 flashed glimpses of their former selves; even Soulja Boy showed some imagination with his Pac-inspired Juice mixtape. A few talented neighborhood cats went unexplainably M.I.A. (where are Homebwoi and Grip Plyaz?), and Shawty Redd’s legal troubles threatened to derail his brilliant career. But all told, local hip-hop enjoyed a productive calendar year.
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While the gilded glare of the spotlight shone brightest on mainstream firebrands like Cee-Lo, most of the year’s best local releases caught traction in the underground. Here are ten of the most impactful mixtapes this city had to offer in 2011.
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The links are live, so click to stream or download.
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1) Rittz, White Jesus
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This shit reps North Georgia so hard, there should be a “Made in Gwinnett County” imprint stamped on the cover. A stocky, redheaded MC who talks about the hardships and unique spoils of country living, Rittz will bring back nostalgic memories for anyone who grew up on Bubba Sparxxx’s Deliverance. Throw in a few pinches of Ghetto Mafia for healthy measure.
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2) DJ Burn One, The Ashtray
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DJ Burn One’s latest coup d'état was clearly informed by years and years spent listening to neo-Southern jam bands. Spurred by his preference for creepy church hymns and haunted roots-rock, it’s like the best My Morning Jacket record Jim James never wrote. Editor's note: Besides being CL's Producer of the Year, DJ Burn One also produced the top three mixtapes on this list.
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3) Scotty, Summer Dreams
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Scotty takes it back to ’95 with this serving of endlessly chewable comfort food. It can be easy to overlook the ATLien’s troubled rhymes, wherein he wrestles with the twin terrors of having to win bread for his family and risk his life in the trap.