Wafeek – The Artistocrats Mixtape

I was lucky enough to have TSS send this out to me for a post (Thanks, TC!). Now, most of you who come to KTL know that we don’t post every mixtape or new track that comes out. Just not our style. We rather share the stuff that we get excited about or that we can learn from. Beyond the ever-sacred, J. Period mixtapes, Its really tough for me to give any love to a mixtape. But with that being said, I would like to put my stamp on this one. Mainly, b/c this one is thought-out rather than a collection of freestyles and unused beats. Peep what my man, Gotty, had to say about it:

“By now, most are familiar with the concept & storytelling nuances that go with the Aristocrats joke. It has been told & retold countless times over, by every comedian worth his mettle in humor — Johnny Carson, Gilbert Gottfried, Chevy Chase and even the seemingly tame Bob Saget. Hell, it was even on South Park. The thing that keeps it alive are those delicate nuances in its telling. The sordid little details to it all. The unexpected twists thought up by each individual when it was their turn to tell the joke.

Which brings us to The Aristocrats Mixtape…

I said it earlier & I truly believe that nobody is going to say truly “new” in Hip-Hop today. What I hope they continue to do is, like the comedians who continue to tell the original joke, add their own take of how the story should be told. When you fall back & look at it, some of the rhymes that we hear today are no less spirited or carry less impact than when a Rakim, Kane or Nas first recited them over the percussion. When I listen to Wafeek, I get & feel that same passion & level of skill that made me a fan of many a great storyteller before him. The way he tackles so many different topics. How he seemingly holds up the camera to film the world’s actions, then at others holding turning that camera around on us the audience. Match those factors with his ability to alter his delivery (note the marked difference between “Rep…” and “I’mma Learn Ya”) and the way in which he shows multiple sides of his personality.”

I say get out of your comfort zone, download a new artist and let me know your thoughts. Full tracklisting and video after the jump. Congrats, TSS and Trackstar for getting this out.

The Smoking Section & Trackstar the DJ Present Wafeek – The Artistocrats Mixtape