2013 was a year of change in hip hop, the scene seems to be going through some struggles and is aiming to find a direction to head as we move into 2014 and beyond. With that said, there were plenty of stand out projects this year from both top-billed acts and independent artists. These are our top 10 mixtapes of the year based on impact of the tape for the artist and for the genre, and of course personal taste.

Top 10 Mixtapes of 2013

Gorgeous Children – Ice

Ice is a great example of the modern state of underground hip hop. The slowed down homage to Atlanta trap-style production of Gila Monsta paired with the disembodied rhymes of Face Vega create eight cohesive and intoxicating tracks.

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Favorite Track- Daiyamondo

PARTYNEXTDOOR – PARTYNEXTDOOR

The first signee to Drake’s OVO Sound, the producing, rapping, singing PARTYNEXTDOOR made his statement this year releasing the self-titled mixtape. His sound is an obvious fit with the OVO aesthetic, taking cues from both Drake and XO affiliate The Weeknd. More than just an artist for the camp, his contributions to OVO Sound will be seen and heard in 2014 as he was credited on Drake’s “Own It” and “Come Thru”.

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Favorite Track – Break From Toronto

Curren$y – New Jet City

Always one to give away free, quality, music, this is probably Spitta’s most versatile collection. One of the most feature heavy projects from Curren$y, this tape features Rick Ross, Styles P, Juvenile, Jadakiss, Wiz Khalifa and more. As the prelude to his collaboration album with Wiz, “Live In Concert”, this was highly anticipated and did not disappoint. The idea of a “Directors Cut” retail album edition was being tossed around back in August. Production features from Harry Fraud, Lex Luger and Statik Selektah keep the vibe true to Curren$y’s smoker ballads with a few alternative offerings.

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Favorite Track – Mary

Action Bronson – Blue Chips 2

I’ll admit I’m not the biggest fan of everything Party Supplies did on this tape and it was not what I was expecting, but it grew on me. Bronson’s writing and delivery never let me down, I caught myself laughing at some of the lines on this one. Always one to paint a picture with his words, my favorite scene from Blue Chips 2 features Patrick Ewing: “Told the driver Lenny swing me by the garden I gotta talk to Pat / hit him with the stacks / showed him the gat like / you gonna miss the finger roll right?”. Looking forward to what Bronsolini has in store for 2014.

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Favorite Track – 9.24.13 ft. Big Body Bes

The Underachievers – Indigosim

When the Beast Coast meets Brainfeeder, well, what do you expect? The production helps to set the psychedelic tone that pairs perfectly with the druggy and devilish delivery of the Brooklyn duo. Don’t forget this is the debut mixtape. This tape pushed them onto multiple festival stages and had them touring the nation. Look out for the debut album The Cellar Door next year.

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Favorite Track – Sun Through the Rain

Big K.R.I.T. – King Remembered In Time

As always, KRIT releases a nearly entirely self produced mixtape (one track prod. by 9th Wonder). Ranging from tracks reminiscent of the late Pimp C and the UGK sound to tracks sampling James Blake, KRIT demonstrates his full ability and potential on this tape. While not as groundbreaking as “Return of 4Eva”, KRIT definitely flexed on this one.

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Favorite Track – King Without a Crown

Joey Bada$$ – Summer Knights

Another Beast Coast representative, Joey Bada$$ and the Pro Era crew had a hell of a year. Produced almost exclusively in-house, making exceptions for MF Doom, Alchemist and DJ Premier, and with features from Pro Era stand outs, this tape was able to expand Joey’s listening base from a younger generation to hip hop fans across the board. The crew went on a nation wide tour supporting Summer Knights.

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Favorite Track – 9-5 Til Infinity

Meek Mill – Dreamchasers 3

The third installment of the Dreamchasers series isn’t necessarily groundbreaking, but Meek sticks to what he knows and presents a collection of some of his best tracks to date. This is one could be album worthy but works in Meek’s favor as a mixtape building anticipation and enabling him to further demonstrate his skills. Be on the lookout for the new releases from the Dreamchasers imprint and the second studio album from Meek in 2014.

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Favorite Track – Heaven or Hell ft. Jadakiss & Guordan Banks

Pusha T – Wrath of Caine

2013 was good to King Push. Serving as a prelude to the studio album MNIMN, Wrath of Caine almost built too much hype for the album. With singles like “Blocka” produced by Young Chop and “Millions” featuring Rick Ross this my favorite Pusha release of the year and one of my favorite G.O.O.D. Music releases of the year as well. The kingpin-inspired stories of Pusha’s past shine over production by The Neptunes, Harry Fraud and Kanye West.

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Favorite Track – I Am Forgiven

Chance the Rapper – Acid Rap

This one honestly came out of nowhere for me, and I think a lot of people. One year after releasing his first mixtape while suspended from school Chance has made mixtape of the year, also being featured on many “Album of the Year” lists. I was first turned on to Chance from the Yours Truly collaboration with Nosaj Thing that turned up as a bonus track on the mixtape. For hip hop heads Chance’s swag might take a listen or two to get used to but his skills are undeniable. As his introduction, Chance shows another side of the current state of Chicago hip hop.

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Favorite Track – Juice