Diplo/Santogold- Top Ranking Mixtape

For those new to the whole internet mixtape boom, I weep for you, because at this point it's nebulous and hard to know where to begin and what's good. Mixes at their best- like Diplo and Santogold's Top Ranking- are better than the albums they promote (See DJ Green Lantern's Nas mix The Nigger Tapes as opposed to the "self titled" album Nas dropped in '08). Top Ranking blends Santogold's self-titled album with her influences- The Clash, dancehall reggae, old school punk, Dub, hip hop, new wave, etc.

Diplo (one of the best DJ's in the world if you didn't know) combines so much awesome shit it makes your head spin. Nimbly going between genres and era's he perfectly contextualizes Santogold's aesthetic. Perfect for driving and hanging out, this mix also has it's good party moments like the 3-6 Mafia's "Late Night," Cutty Ranks "Dutty Six Pack" (which mixes in the bassline from Black Flag's "Six Pack" and adds a dancehall reggae beat and rhyme. AWESOME!) and Tony Matterhorn's "Big Belly Guns" (which mixes the Dead Boys' "Sonic Reducer" and Dead Kennedys "California Uber Alles" with another, even better, dancehall beat and rhyme. Awesome +1). If you like M.I.A, Girl Talk, Kanye, or reggae at all, get this mix and crank it on a worthy sound system (read: big subs).

Here's the mix (Left Click and Follow the link)- Top Ranking

Here's Diplo's remix of Santogold's "Starstruck"

MP3- Starstruck

Here's a few songs off her debut, too just because you've been a good boy/girl/transgender

MP3- Shove It

MP3- Anne

MP3- Lights Out

Right Click The MP3s To Save

And here's Santogold's video for her breakout song "L.E.S. Artistes"

OH! and henceforth I guess her name is Santigold, not Santogold (Her real name is Santi White)

P.S. Diplo's blog is worth checking out too (though it used to be a little better when it was just him posting)

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