Initially when I heard that I would be doing a review on a mixtape, I got excited. I love the rawness that mixtapes can bring out of real emcees. Straight spitting, unedited, unrehearsed, mixtapes in my opinion are definitely the foundation of Hip-Hop. “The Coast 2 Coast Mixtape Vol. 70” was comprised by Red Café, a rapper out of Flatbush, Brooklyn. His 2007 mixtape entitled “The Co-Op” with DJ Envy featured some songs that were simply bananas. So of course, upon hearing his name, I expected so much more than what I heard. This mixtape includes big names like Akon, Busta Rhymes, Cassidy, Slim Thug, Bun B and Lil Wayne. Some other artists included are Glasses Malone, Sha Stimuli, Rome Ceasar, and J-Mill, just to name a few. With all of the big names on this mixtape, you’d think that you’d have a classic banger on your hands. Right?

“Hustlers Story” produced by DJ Noodles features Akon, Red Café and Glasses Malone. This was one of the best tracks on the entire mixtape. The production on this was hitting and everyone’s flow was impeccable. We all know when Akon gets on a track, he is sure to make it a hit. The fluidity of the song’s tempo made it something you could ride too. “Coast 2 Coast Cypher 3” was another hot joint. It was just a classic Hop-Hop joint. This Straight-No Chaser type of track had no hooks, just line for line rhymes. The beat was of course a head bopper. This song included Lil Fats, Reed Dollaz, Tekneek, Big Lou and Sandman. The straight grittiness of this song made it have so much more mixtape appeal.

“Not The One” by Illaj is a hot little club track. This song has crazy production and some hot lyrics. The song is an auto-tuned, up-tempo track that is basically about how Illaj’s girl wants to be with him forever, but unfortunately he doesn’t feel the same way. I love the fact that it is Hip-Hop with the reminiscent vibe of R&B. I’m sure that with a little bit of promotion, this song could easily top the charts.

“Foolish” by Rome Ceasar was conscious Hip-Hop at best. It kind of had a Black Thought feel to it. This was one of the only songs on the mixtape that actually included a female. “Foolish” had a very underground, Philly type vibe with a great message to follow. It simply speaks about how we live our lives and the foolish things we do day to day. But as far as quality songs on this album, the party stops here. There may be a few others that were alright but they have been diluted by all of the watered down, substance lacking tracks on the mixtape.
 
“Where Are You” had me wondering the same thing, as I wondered if this is what Hip-Hop has really been resorted too. Not only was the production less than amazing, the lyrics were not up to par, and the vocal, sounded like someone’s drunk uncle singing at the family reunion. “I Hate You” by Southern Sickness was filled with rage and hate. The song was ok but it just reminded me of a generic brand Eminem song. The song spoke of hatred for a girl he once loved and how he hoped she would die. Sound familiar? The lyrics were anger filled and the production was actually good. I’m just not a big fan of music that’s already been done. I actually would probably listen to it, that is, if Eminem performed it.

“Money” by Kacey Krisler, “This Shit is Pointless” by Loka, and “Make em Feel Me” by Travisty was simply just that, a travesty. I’m guessing that Lil Fats had some extra room on the mixtape and decided to add one of the executive’s kids to the mix. “Money” had the nerve to have “America’s Next Top Model” runner up, Melrose, featured on the track. Her attempt to spit sixteen, was in Simon’s words “Bloody Horrible.” There are too many ridiculously hot femcees in the world and the fact that none graced this mixtape was terrible. The mixtape simply lacked quality emcees period. Like I’ve already stated, there were a lot of songs on the mixtape that you could enjoy but as a whole, this mixtape was less than impressive. When Red Café ended the mixtape with an outro, I actually breathed a sigh of relief. I wouldn’t recommend this to the average Hip-Hop lover, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be thoroughly upset and not pleased.