When most Canadian record companies are trying to crack down on illegal mixtapes and eliminate them from the marketplace, Virgin records has chosen another route. Renown DJ & mixtape specialist, Mastermind was signed to a record deal with Virgin requiring him to produce two legal mixtapes per year. A mixtape is a combination street-credible hits, dope tracks, freestyles, and original tracks which when correctly selected leave the listener in awe from start to end. The success or failure of such a mixtape is the ability of the creator to mix the tracks together with appropriate scratching and additions, so that the beat never stops. Mastermind is the guru of this art.

Mastermind's 'Volume 50: Street Legal' follows closely on the footsteps of this summer's freely distributed Volume 49. Volume 49 was strictly a freestyle mixtape serving to promote Mastermind's skill in anticipation of this mainline release. In effect, Mastermind deserves much praise: this mix-album flows smooth as ice, mixing some of the most street-credible tracks with an impressive commercial appeal. There were no major mainstream hip hop hits, but a lot of lesser known hot tracks. In fact, the original tracks were extremely impressive and push 'Volume 50: Street Legal' to the next level. As rarely as it happens, the skits were very entertaining: Dick Rider hosts a series of "Let's Make a Record Deal Episodes".

The hottest track, which is sure to blow up in Canada, is "Bump!" This original infectious club track features Choclair and Mr. Roam, and I ensure that it'll get all the ladies rumps to bump! Other hot Mastermind-exclusive tracks are "Lights Out" featuring Kardinal Offishall & Rah Digga, and "Hold Ya Karna" featuring Nefarius & Phife Dawg. Also included are the impressive, "Move Something" by Talib Kweli & Hi Tek, the hot "Climax (Girl Shit)" by Slum Village, "Cherchez Laghost" by Ghostface Killah, "The Platform (Erick Sermon remix)" by Dilated Peoples, "Look 4 Tha Name" by Sonja Blade, "Umi Says" by Mos Def, "Hello" by Ice Cube, "Chin Check" by N.W.A., "Quality Control" by Jurassic 5 and even more hot tracks.

In total, there are 21 tracks on this mixtape. The style ranges from gangsta rap, pure hip hop, to R&B'ish hip hop. The great diversity is further emphasized with entertaining skits, street-credible hits, hot new Canadian tracks and sly freestyles. Mastermind has definitely got the mixtape business in check! He's the hottest Canadian DJ and this mixtape is proof positive. If you're looking for a mixtape or compilation album that's hot from start to finish, look no further, 'Volume 50: Street Legal' is your antidote.

www.brockwayent.com

(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)

This review was written November 18, 2000