This is my first time hearing a 1Mic joint. Dude is a member of my message board and we’re a pretty tight community, so I wanted to listen carefully and give an honest opinion. Chew and I have very different taste, but when shit is hot, that surpasses our individual taste and you give credit where it’s due. “The League Leaders” in some ways, reminds me of mixtapes from the past. They didn’t center on “exclusive” music or star hosts, it was the feeling and the vibe. The music created a feeling and the DJ’s voice was the atmosphere. 1Mic, no pun intended isn’t a mic handler, but the tracks that he chooses gives him a voice. Unfortunately, instead of relying on that, he resorts to over using the hosts. If you’re from Philly, great? You got Philly niggas holding you down, great, but I don’t want to hear Tana Da Beasts or Frost voice before every fucking track!

Jakk Frost has that Southern swagger, but his wordplay isn’t much to brag about it. That’s not a prerequisite for making a hit these days, with that as a guide line, I enjoyed “Holla At Me Baby”. 1Mic has a good ear, dropping “Ain’t I” was a bad choice and the track was ill placed on the release. The next stand out was “Now I know” by AZ. Dude is a jewel amidst a bunch of coal covered, wannabe diamonds. When you hear lines like…a hoe ain’t a hoe no more/they death wishes, screamed in that distinctive drawl, you know its one of the members of M.O.P. This time out, Billy Danz went for self, an easily put himself in contention for the hottest track on “League Leaders”. I hate reviewing mixtapes track for track, but if there’s no concept or a skillful display, that’s what you have to critique.

Ice Cube is a legend, not just for what he did with N.W.A, but his footprints in the game are walked by lesser mc’s daily. LL is an icon, but can he still make viable records? Ice Cube answered that question with “Laugh Now, Cry Later”. With tracks like “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It” featuring Scarface and Nas; 1Mic really showed his knowledge of good Hip Hop. I can’t give you every hot joint on “League Leaders Vol. 3”, but I’ll leave you with a few honorable mentions; Esso “Think Out Loud III”, and Kidz In The Hall “Work To Do”. 1Mic is well on his way, but he has room to progress. (5/7/08)