Straight Outta Cashville (G-Unit, 2004) by Young Buck

Proving that current southern hip hop music was more than just crunk at the time, Nashville's Young Buck put a bit of gangsta attitude back into rap below the Mason Dixon.  "Shorty Wanna Ride," the album's second single, is one of Lil Jon's finest productions and embodies a lot of the album in its 4:21 length- the south, the hood and a somewhat rowdy (but still very skilled) approach to rhyming.  "I'm a Soldier" is a great start to the album, and 50's guest appearance helps get the momentum up and running.  Other than that, the other album's highlight is when Ludacris outshines his host on "Stomp" and delivers harsh words for T.I.

Beg for Mercy (G-Unit, 2003) by G-Unit

The fact that this album was released before a second major label set from 50 proves that he has great business savvy.  He knew to introduce the world to his crew before his shadow got too large for any of them to get out from under.  And the album is really good.  The formula is simple: tough talk over great beats and catchy hooks.  Some of the better cuts are actually the singles, the Mr. Porter-produced "Stunt 101" and the Joe-assisted  "Wanna Get To Know You".  Other highlights include "My Buddy" which puts a bad boy spin on the doll commercial and "I Smell Pussy."  At 19 tracks, the album runs a bit long.  However, it does give Banks, Buck and Yayo enough space to introduce themselves.  And Nashville's Young Buck brings it full circle on the Dr. Dre-produced "G'd Up" when he says, "But I'm gonna keep this glock on my waist 'til my dyin' days/It's nuttin' but a G thang, G-Unit and Dr. Dre."

God's Plan (n/a, 2002) by G-Unit

The second set of tracks that 50 flooded the streets with continued his streak of album quality cuts on mix tapes.  50 and the G Unit not only jump on others artist's tracks and outshine the originals, they also bring their own personalities to them which made them rap stars, in addition to credible emcees.  "Catch Me in the Hood" and "You're Not Ready" finds them ripping through Eminem and Beanie Sigel cuts respectively.  Biggie is also featured on the tape.  Some of his vocals are used for "N****s" (Puff also does a drop at the beginning) and "The World is Filled…" track is rhymed over on "The World."  This is a good tape that proved 50 and his crew were ready for superstardom.  

The Invasion (n/a, 2002) by DJ Green Lantern

The first installment in this legendary mix tape series is famous because it, for all intents and purposes, ended Benzino's career as a rapper.  Eminem's "The Sauce" is a great diss at The Source and his "Nail in the Coffin" is more of a personal, damning record aimed squarely air the magazine's "co-founder."  Obie's "Welcome to Detroit City" is a great take on Cam'ron and Jay's "Welcome to New York City."  And 50's "The Hood", with a beat courtesy of Dr. Dre, and G-Unit's "G'd Up" are also standouts.  Other highlights include DJ Green Lantern's blend of "Lose Yourself" and The Flipmode Squad spitting over the remix to "U Don't Know."

Automatic Gunfire (n/a, 2002) by G-Unit

The fourth installment in G-Unit's classic mix-tape run, Automatic Gunfire, brought together the best elements of 50's hunger and his then newly acquired fame.  I really liked how 50 jumped on Rakim's "R.A.K.I.M." beat with "Round Here", and the "I Smell Pussy" record was a big diss toward Murder Inc. with those opening ad-libs.  However, I think the best jabs at Ja Rule are on the interludes where they have "Ja Rule" sing over and on popular songs.  "Doing my Own Thing" finds melody being incorporated into rhyming about living large and "Bitches Ain't Shit" has G-Unit rhyming over classic Dr. Dre.  It's a great mix-tape and has definitely held up over time.

Buck the World (G-Unit, 2007) by Young Buck

Young Buck overcame the sophomore jinx better than his boss with Buck the World.  On the production end of things, it has a bit more of a southern sound than his debut.  And, lyric wise, while there is certainly plenty of aggressive content, Buck also offers a bit of introspection as well.  Album highlights include "Buck the World", "Hold On", "4 Kings", and "Puff Puff Pass".  Whereas 50's The Massacre seemed like it was merely an extension of Get Rich or Die Tryin' , Buck the World shows a real growth from 2004's Straight Outta Cashville.  I had the pleasure of meeting Buck a few years ago at an after party for a southern hip-hop event, and he was a real nice guy.  I've followed his work since 2002's Born to Be a Thug and have enjoyed it all for the most part.  However, as of right now,  Buck the World is still the collection of songs Young Buck has yet to top.

50 Cent is the Future (n/a, 2002) by G-Unit

For my first mix-tape entry, I had to start with the best.  I remember hearing "How To Rob" on the In Too Deep Soundtrack a few years earlier.  It was not bad, but I was not blown away.  Then when "Wanksta" took off from the 8 Mile Soundtrack, I thought it was better.  However, I much preferred 50's "Places to Go".  But then I learned that "Wanksta" built a buzz on the mix-tape circuit.  I went to Beat Go On in my hometown to pick up the tape in order to try to give hip-hop's consensus the benefit of the doubt.  However, they didn't have No Mercy, No Fear and so I got 50 Cent is the Future instead.  After hearing the Future cut, "U Should Be Here", it all made sense and I played it along with Guess Who's Back? even more than Fif's Shady/Aftermath debut.  A decade later, with gangsta rap in decline, this mix-tape is a modern day classic that bangs harder than ever.

TP-2.com (Jive, 2000) by R. Kelly

Controversy aside, I think R. Kelly is a musical genius.  His ability to fuse hip-hop and R&B along with his singing abilities have created some very memorable material over the years.  For as carnal as some of the stuff is on TP-2.com, my favorite tracks off of it are still the more romance/relationship-based material such as  "Just Like That" and "I Decided."  The production on the album is excellent as well, which is evident in the fact that Jay-Z and G-Unit songs both sampled different tracks from the album within a little over three years of its release.