A mixtape can serve any number of purposes. Some are ideal for kicking back with friends, others are club bangers and some become entirely new pieces of art in their own right. But there's another type of mixtape deserves its due--the hip-hop history lessen set that pairs vintage 20th century material with the songs that eventually sampled them to great success.
One such tape has made its way to the offices of Okayplayer--and it's magnificent. Futuronostro--a sonic portmanteau of French imprint Cosmonostro and DJ collective NOw FUTUR (also French)--have delivered a new(ish) tape that blends past and present with a keen sense of selection and a foremost emphasis on groove. "Sims Samples" is an hour and a half of hip-hop classics from the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Wu Tang Clan, Dr. Dre, Jaylib, Mobb Deep and more, cut with the song(s) that made each one possible in the first place. It's like a multi-generational rap production family reunion where everyone's legit, digging the funky scene.
And so rather than keep this one all to ourselves for the next Mixtape Monday, Okayplayer deems it 100% necessary that you pause your plans and take this one for a spin. The Frenchmen have put in copious work to highlight the art of the sample, and minute after minute the mixtape delivers the sonic goods. Listen to the full set below and scroll down for a complete tracklist. Happy #MixtapeThursday, y'all.
