This was a big year in Hip Hop, with releases from some of the biggest names in the game. If you follow Hip Hop closely, you might have noticed the mixtape scene blowing up this last year also. Everyone from the backpack rappers to the big guns released mixtapes.  And speaking of big guns…

♪ Jay-Z and Kanye West – Ni**as in Paris (from Watch The Throne) [stream only]

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Probably my favorite rapper from the last couple years is Theophilus London. The Haitian born, Brooklyn raised artist has been quoted saying Morrissey is his biggest influence. London also has the coolest style out there. He has his own line of snapbacks and a collaboration with shoe company Cole Haan. The best part of his music, is that most of it is free — all of his mixtapes can be easily found online.

♪ Theophilus London – Why Even Try (feat. Sara Quin) (from Timez Are Weird These Days)

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One rapper/producer that made a name for himself this last year was a skinny skater kid from LA with some of the most disturbing lyrics in popular music since Eminem. Tyler, The Creator, and the Odd Future crew (aka OFWGKTA) were probably the most blogged about topic in music. Tyler’s debut album Goblin was released with much anticipation and was later signed to a major label deal that led him to work with Pharrell and Pusha T from Clipse.  Check out Odd Future’s tumblr if you want some free tunes and maybe some nightmares. They are a weird bunch of dudes.

♪ Pusha T – Trouble On My Mind (feat. Tyler, The Creator) (from Fear Of God II: Let Us Pray) [check out the video below]

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