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Having somewhat completed the full circle of Hip-Hop success (mixtapes, classic albums, built a label and an empire), many would believe that
50 Cent might finally walk away from the ferocious battleground on which he ran roughshod for years. But in between brokering deals, acting and setting up a charity to feed hungry children in third world countries, the G-Unit general announced that he would be teaming with the mixtape don
DJ Drama to unleash another potent mix of gangsta tales and pulverising productions. Curtis aims to bring back G-Unit's glory days with
The Lost Tape, a highly anticipated musical project which hopes to reaffirm his elite status in rap's rankings as well as ensure that there's still room for gangsta rap in today's market. It's put up or shut up time for a man who was one of Hip-Hop's most controversial acts for many years.
As if releasing three mixtapes in one year isn’t enough of an achievement, Abel Tesfaye – better known as The Weeknd – has managed to evolve as an artist throughout the process, leaving no doubt that each of the mixtapes will reveal fresh revelations and heart wrenching sounds. Seamlessly changing the standards and expectations of modern day R&B, The Weeknd manages to transmit a despondent, haunting feeling to listeners the world over. 
The metaphorical ‘torch’ in Hip Hop has been passed from Hip Hop generation to Hip Hop generation. The lookout for the leaders of the new school never ceases for anybody, but ultimately, when a blood relative from Hip Hop royalty decides to take hold of the mic, cries of nepotism will always surface – that is until their first bars are spat.
Diggy Simmons, son of the legendary Rev Run, has impressed in his short time as an emcee, due in part to some solid mixtape performances and an appreciation of the golden eras of the genre. But if a co-sign from his father or any of the Simmons clan fails to convince, having an icon in DJ Premier host your mixtape just might be the catalyst to capture the attention of all. Primo steps back behind the decks to chop and cut up the Diggy’s third mixtape, which is made up fresh verses from the young NY rapper over some classic beats; some of which are even older than him. 
The hybrid rapper/singer genre has really been around for some time now but in more recent months, Hip Hop’s golden boy Drake took the format and ran it to success [or to the ground if you’re sick of it now]. The latest jack of all trades to join the race is 
It’s hard to fathom that 
For many UK emcees, making the jump from the subterranean Grime scene to the glitzy mainstream is always done with much hesitance. But for North London’s Chipmunk, the cautious leap was replaced with a confident stroll. Embracing a daytime radio format of music led to a number one single, a debut album, a MOBO Award and many live performances for Mr Munk. Returning to the mixtape circuit which bore his early success, For The Fun of It aims to solidify his success story and reduce the forum critics who refuse to be convinced of Chipmunk’s superstar status. 
“I’m of the opinion - especially in this day and age - that having a record in the marketplace doesn’t mean anything if the right pieces aren’t in place.” - the unsung hero increasingly known as Colin Munroe tells SoulCulture.