3 Mixtapes that are Diamonds in the Rough

For those who don’t know, a mixtape is usually considered to be an album or body of music that is not available to be bought. Usually, mixtapes won’t be available on Spotify or Apple Music either. Initally, I had the idea of doing this post on music you can’t find on Spotify or Apple Music, but as it turns out, one of these is on those services. Nevertheless, I wanted to share some music that I think is of really great quality but is severely underappreciated.

Corbin and Bobby Raps – Couch Potato (2015)

Corbin burst onto the Soundcloud rap scene in 2014 under the alias Spooky Black, gaining buzz with his intriguing mixtape Black Silk. An accompanying music video featured Corbin, a pale, young white kid, in a white turtleneck and durag mournfully singing in the snow-covered Minnesotan wilderness. Needless to say, I was immediately hooked. Corbin also managed to get the attention of what is likely the most prestigious indie record label out there, XL Recordings, and he spent a brief period on their roster, though things didn’t work out.

Shortly after cutting ties with XL, Corbin linked up with fellow Minnesotan, Bobby Raps, and the pair began working on the tracks that would become Couch Potato. You may not have heard of Bobby Raps, but a quick glance at his writing credits reveals you’re probably familiar with his work. Bobby has worked on projects such as The Weeknd’s Starboy and Wiz Khalifa’s Rolling Papers 2; he’s a versatile rapper and producer whose technical prowess complimented Corbin’s raw vocal talent. Couch Potato is only 7 tracks long and has under a million plays on Youtube, but the quality of it is undeniable. The Minnesotan duo trade verses over Bobby’s frigid and expansive trap beats, and Corbin’s distinctive baritone beautifully fills the void these instrumentals leave. This album got basically no promotion which can explain, in part, why it’s so underappreciated. It deserves to be listened to more – a true diamond in the rough.

Favorite Track: Frozen Tundra

2. Sonder (Dpat, Atu, Brent Faiyaz) – Undone (2016)

Sonder caught my attention with their 2017 EP, Into, which is a hauntingly beautiful RnB record filled with ethereal backing vocals and booming Trip-Hop drums reminiscent of early Portishead and Massive Attack. I was impressed, but it wasn’t until a couple of years later that I stumbled upon the Undone EP while randomly scrolling Youtube. It’s a work so underpromoted that it isn’t on Spotify, and there are basically no references to it anywhere on the internet; even a search for Sonder’s discography doesn’t reveal it. I am left to assume they had some issues with sample clearance and didn’t want to get sued, because this thing is dope, and it easily could have made waves with a little promotional push.

Sonder consists of producers Dpat and Atu and Grammy winning vocalist Brent Faiyaz who you may recognize from the Goldlink song, Crew. Undone features short, meticulously produced songs that fade indistinctly into one another. Each song is just long enough to provide a fleeting feeling without revealing a coherent structure, as if you are flipping through radio stations in your Mom’s Ford Windstar. Brent’s soft croon is present but not the focal point, almost as if Dpat and Atu are sampling him. Give it a listen, and check out the Into EP as well, if you like it.

Favorite Track: Ride (ft. J-Louis)

3. Tinashe – In Case we Die (2012)

Tinashe has the unfortunate reputation as somewhat of a failed popstar in the music industry. Someone who seemingly checked all the boxes for pop stardom, but for whatever reason, never achieved the widespread popularity her label and team were pushing her towards. In spite of this, she makes great music. She also has a ton of talent, and this is on full display in her 2012 mixtape, In Case we Die, which is partially self-produced and primarily recorded in her bedroom. It features luscious harmonies and leads evocative of 90’s RnB mainstays like Brandy and Aaliyah. The production is dreamy and washed out – reverberated chords bleed into each other, resulting in soft and flowing musical accompaniments for Tinashe’s versatile voice. You won’t find this one on Spotify either.

Favorite Track: Last Night on Earth

letsfuckinggooo.wordpress.com/2020/12/23/3-mixtapes-that-are-diamonds-in-the-rough

all of these are pretty well known lol

Dope post, haven't heard these

Good s*** op

Op is a 40 year old with taste