Review by Loose Cannonz

DJ Kay Slay - Let the Games Begin 2

As per usual, Big Mike and Kay Slay drop similar mixtapes on the same date. While Mike is normally a switch quicker than the vet, Slay one-ups Mike with more freestyles and exclusive joints this time out. Both tapes contain the 50 Cent disses from Jadakiss and Fat Joe, the Lakey Da Kid cover of "Why", joints such as M.O.P.'s "Hip-Hop Cop" (funny how tracks have 2 or more several different names on these mixtapes) and Beans' "Don't Stop" with Snoop, as well as remixes to R&B flavors "It's Like That" and "One Thing" courtesy of Mariah Carey and Amerie, respectively. For more extensive coverage of these joints, peep the review to Big Mike's The Contender. However, this review is about what DJ Kay Slay added extra to the plate, and there's plenty of it (this tape is almost 20 more minutes than Mike's) so Let the Games Begin. Again. Theodore Unit's Solomon Childs gets wicked over a funky throwback (T-Unit style), conceivably coming off harder on this verse than anything previous. Damn, homeboy kills it. Speaking of killing, anyone murdering more mixtapes this year than Papoose? "Justice" appears on this joint as well as The Underground King, which hit streets the same date as this tape. Pap gettin' a lot more lyrical, more introspective, and more narrative lately, so let the "battle rapper" image go: "It's like the drugs are the water, money is oxygen, the pistol is land / Every each of us creatures need this to continue his man / Long time nickel to gram, will I live through this span? / And see the future at my visual command?" And it only gets deeper, kid droppin' knowledge.

Styles P should catch major radio waves again with "Outta The Game," particularly due to the semi-controversy surrounding the banger "I'm Black." I commend SP for going with his heart but the new joint should prove more radio-friendly with its hypnotic vocal, soulful loops, and breezy lyricism. "Da Roc Thugs" proves Memph Bleek and Young Chris can do the gangsta too (yeah, Game), flowing crisp over the high-wire symphonic sounds of Bink. The hollow rain-drop backdrop and impending violin inserts absolutely kill it. The Clipse deliver similar sounds ("Stuntin Yall" appears more a remix than new joint), while Murder Inc's "1-900 Murder" might just be the dopest posse cut this year. That's saying much cause the addictive "Intoxicated," a new Ol' Dirty Bastard joint featuring former Wu-tets Method Man, Raekwon, and a solid Macy Gray chorus (who's someone I don't normally care for) comes close. Mixtape legend Doo Wop drops his second freestyle in as many Kay Slay tapes with more humor, creativity, and surprisingly, melody; Jersey City's A-Team continue their onslaught, spitting lyrical heat over bouncy bass jumps and funky synths; and Prinz (not either Freddie or the Artist Formerly Known As) goes for cake with R. Kelly on the greedy vibes of "Take Money," with dizzying production sounding like it came courtesy of Kells as well. New Haven's Wicked shouts for the "Gangstaz & Hustlaz" up in the CT, which like Boston don't get enough shine up on the mixtapes. So word on that look. And there's no doubt that DJ Kay Slay always keepin the streets locked with those on the up and up. He also got more official with this one, so if you are to make a choice these two mixtape Contenders are both respectable. But with the extra frees and newer joints, one must give this week's nod to Kay Slay.

- Straight Crack

RATING SYSTEM
	Trash
	Step Ya Game Up
	Diehards only
	In the Deck
	Straight Crack
	Among Year's Best
	Mixtape Classic