WEEKENDMIX 1.11.13: STATE OF HIP HOP 2012

I don’t know about you, but I’m still on a “Best of” kick; listening to best of 2012 podcasts, compilations, and mixes as if they were going to expire at the end of the month, never to be heard again. I was caught up in listening to the best dance music of the past year when it occurred to me, where’s the Hip Hop?

It’s not a stretch to say that Hip Hop remains a dominant genre, but it also has lost a lot of its shine. The hardcore fans remain loyal, but unless it’s on the radio, the casual fan doesn’t care as much. I blame it on a combination of things, none of which I will get into here, but the genre is alive, and as the following four part mix, clocking in at just over four hours, by UK DJ Jose Bee proves, there is still plenty of creativity bubbling underneath the surface.

Though not a best of 2012 mix, this expertly compiled collection of new Hip Hop from Europe and the US, might as well be. But it also takes things a step forward, in fact, it reminds us why we love mix tapes so much to begin with. Jose Bee doesn’t just lay hit after hit on us, he doesn’t just cut quick from one club banger to another, nah sun, Bee makes a statement.

Interweaving dialogue from rappers and newscasts in between classic and gritty beats and tracks full of self conscious, thought provoking lyrics that touch on not only the expected tales of hardship and violence, but also on, as the title claims, the state of Hip hop itself. This mix is so skillfully crafted, Bee reminds us of one more thing, just how good rap can be.

Send us a link to one of your mixes hosted either on Soundcloud or Mixcloud to weekendmix [dot] 1200dreams [dot] com.

We will listen and if you touch our minds, body, and our souls, you just might get featured.

As an added bonus, all featured mixes are LIKED on Soundcloud/Mixloud, you’re FB fanpage is added to our Fanpages Favorites, and we Tweet the hell out of your mix for a week.