As these words are being written, 2011 is almost over, so it's time to look back at the best free R&B mixtapes of the year. Since mixtapes are typically put out by young, up-and-coming artists, the list is heavy with such names, including Frank Ocean, The Weeknd and JoiStaRR. But there's also a few established singers represented too, such as Trey Songz, Teedra Moses and Raheem DeVaughn. To check out the full list, which includes links to where each mixtape can be downloaded legally and for free, just have a look below.
1. 'Nostalgia, Ultra,' Frank Ocean
Release Date: Feb. 18, 2011.
The quirky and brilliant Nostalgia, Ultra, which was released online for free in March, is an instant classic and easily one of the best mixtapes of all time. Frank Ocean, of the hip-hop crew Odd Future, manages to create a group of songs here that are realistic, complex and emotional, but without being sappy and overblown. And best of all, there's no yelling DJ or annoying sound effects here like on many hip-hop mixtapes.
The quirky and brilliant Nostalgia, Ultra, which was released online for free in March, is an instant classic and easily one of the best mixtapes of all time. Frank Ocean, of the hip-hop crew Odd Future, manages to create a group of songs here that are realistic, complex and emotional, but without being sappy and overblown. And best of all, there's no yelling DJ or annoying sound effects here like on many hip-hop mixtapes.
2. 'Echoes of Silence,' The Weeknd
Release Date: Dec. 21, 2011.
Canadian singer-songwriter Abe Tesfaye, who's better known by his stage name, The Weeknd, dropped this free mixtape on Dec. 21. It completes a trilogy of 2011 releases that began with House of Balloons in March, followed by Thursday in August. And like the first two releases, Echoes of Silence features The Weekend pushing the envelope as far as what's considered true R&B by crafting a dark, nocturnal mixture of rhythm & blues, electronic music and Soul.
Canadian singer-songwriter Abe Tesfaye, who's better known by his stage name, The Weeknd, dropped this free mixtape on Dec. 21. It completes a trilogy of 2011 releases that began with House of Balloons in March, followed by Thursday in August. And like the first two releases, Echoes of Silence features The Weekend pushing the envelope as far as what's considered true R&B by crafting a dark, nocturnal mixture of rhythm & blues, electronic music and Soul.
3. 'Luxurious Undergrind,' Teedra Moses
Release Date: July 4, 2011.
The word on the street is that Teedra Moses will finally release her official sophomore album, The Lioness, in 2012 via rapper Rick Ross' Maybach Music label. As an appetizer, she dropped her latest mixtape, Luxurious Undergrind, on July 4. It can be downloaded legally and for free via her official website, teedramoses.org, or streamed at soundcloud.com/teamteedra.
The word on the street is that Teedra Moses will finally release her official sophomore album, The Lioness, in 2012 via rapper Rick Ross' Maybach Music label. As an appetizer, she dropped her latest mixtape, Luxurious Undergrind, on July 4. It can be downloaded legally and for free via her official website, teedramoses.org, or streamed at soundcloud.com/teamteedra.
4. 'Anticipation II,' Trey Songz
Release Date: Nov. 1, 2011.
Anticipation II, which was released in November, was one of two mixtapes released by Trey Songz in November. This one, however, is easily the better of the two due to the more abundant original material, particularly "Top of the World," which was released as a single and also appeared on his Inevitable EP which was released later that month.
Anticipation II, which was released in November, was one of two mixtapes released by Trey Songz in November. This one, however, is easily the better of the two due to the more abundant original material, particularly "Top of the World," which was released as a single and also appeared on his Inevitable EP which was released later that month.
5. 'House of Balloons,' The Weeknd
Release Date: March 21, 2011.
House of Balloons, which dropped in March, was the first of the three mixtapes that the artist known as The Weeknd put out during 2011. Mixtape is a relative term in this case, however, since it's more polished, original and well-rounded than a lot of commercially-released albums that came out during the year.
House of Balloons, which dropped in March, was the first of the three mixtapes that the artist known as The Weeknd put out during 2011. Mixtape is a relative term in this case, however, since it's more polished, original and well-rounded than a lot of commercially-released albums that came out during the year.
6. 'Letters to a King,' Jazzy
Release Date: Feb. 14, 2011.
On Valentine's Day 2001, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Jazmine Bailey, better known as just Jazzy, dropped her Letters to a King mixtape, on which she remade songs by originally performed by classic female R&B singers. And instead of playing it safe, her versions of Sade's "No Ordinary Love," Diana Ross's "Love Hangover" and four other songs, are creative reinventions.
On Valentine's Day 2001, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Jazmine Bailey, better known as just Jazzy, dropped her Letters to a King mixtape, on which she remade songs by originally performed by classic female R&B singers. And instead of playing it safe, her versions of Sade's "No Ordinary Love," Diana Ross's "Love Hangover" and four other songs, are creative reinventions.
7. 'The Mistress,' Jay Sean
Release Date: Sept. 6, 2011.
Jay Sean is best known for shiny, romantic pop, but his The Mistress mixtape is a throwback to the R&B that he grew up with, and has plenty of down-n-dirty tales of love, lust and cheating. Among the artists who make guest appearances are the rappers Birdman, Tyga and Lupe Fiasco. Although this is technically a mixtape, most of the songs are fully-produced, original compositions, not half-baked leftovers, remixes or snippets.
Jay Sean is best known for shiny, romantic pop, but his The Mistress mixtape is a throwback to the R&B that he grew up with, and has plenty of down-n-dirty tales of love, lust and cheating. Among the artists who make guest appearances are the rappers Birdman, Tyga and Lupe Fiasco. Although this is technically a mixtape, most of the songs are fully-produced, original compositions, not half-baked leftovers, remixes or snippets.
8. 'Broccoli & Noodles,' JoiStaRR
Release Date: May 18, 2011.
Up-and-coming vocalist JoiStaRR, a Los Angeles native who's performed and recorded with Raphael Saadiq, Estelle and Musiq Soulchild to name a few, released her debut mixtape, Broccoli & Noodles, in May. It features her remaking songs by Sade and Tina Turner, among others, as well as singing original material, including "Same Time," which features Kanye West, and "I'm Trying," with the late, great hip-hop producer J. Dilla. Broccoli & Noodles can be streamed or downloaded at Joi's official SoundCloud page.
Up-and-coming vocalist JoiStaRR, a Los Angeles native who's performed and recorded with Raphael Saadiq, Estelle and Musiq Soulchild to name a few, released her debut mixtape, Broccoli & Noodles, in May. It features her remaking songs by Sade and Tina Turner, among others, as well as singing original material, including "Same Time," which features Kanye West, and "I'm Trying," with the late, great hip-hop producer J. Dilla. Broccoli & Noodles can be streamed or downloaded at Joi's official SoundCloud page.
9. 'Love Child,' Josh Xantus
Release Date: Feb. 14, 2011.
Love Child, which was appropriately released on Valentine's Day, is remarkably polished and well-produced for a free release, just like most of the mixtapes on this list. But unlike this Haitian teenager's previous mixtapes, this one's got quite a few uptempo bangers. Among the highlights are "So What's Up" and "Smoove."
Love Child, which was appropriately released on Valentine's Day, is remarkably polished and well-produced for a free release, just like most of the mixtapes on this list. But unlike this Haitian teenager's previous mixtapes, this one's got quite a few uptempo bangers. Among the highlights are "So What's Up" and "Smoove."
10. 'Freedom Fighter,' Raheem DeVaughn
Release Date: Nov. 1, 2011.
Every protest needs a soundtrack, says Raheem DeVaughn. And on his November 2011 mixtape, Freedom Fighter, the political-minded R&B/Soul artist provided that soundtrack. Raheem joined with some like-minded activists and artists to put together a mixtape of music and commentary built around the Occupy Wall Street movement. It can be streamed and downloaded for free at the Bandcamp page of Raheem's label, 360 Music Group.
Every protest needs a soundtrack, says Raheem DeVaughn. And on his November 2011 mixtape, Freedom Fighter, the political-minded R&B/Soul artist provided that soundtrack. Raheem joined with some like-minded activists and artists to put together a mixtape of music and commentary built around the Occupy Wall Street movement. It can be streamed and downloaded for free at the Bandcamp page of Raheem's label, 360 Music Group.