Joey Bada$$ – 1999 (2xLP)

1999 is the debut mixtape from Joey Bada$$. Originally released in 2012 as a free digital download, the project garnered much praise, including comparisons to Nas' heralded debut album, Illmatic. Fellow Pro Era members as well as J Dilla, MF Doom, and the likes contribute beats, and Joey's penchant for vintage hip-hop is at full display on 1999. Despite being only 17 years old, it's obvious the Brooklyn rapper listened to and studied the forefathers of hip-hop, and his dedication to the craft of MCing, something often ignored by his contemporaries, is perfectly complemented by the soulful, New York boom-bap musical backing on tracks like "Waves," "Survival Tactics," "Hard Knock," and "FromdaTombs." Features guest appearances from Chuck Strangers, CJ Fly, Capital Steez (rip), and more.