For the most part, “Quality Street Music” lives up to its name, with DJ Drama furthering his prominence as a tastemaker in Hip Hop. DJ Drama has been a relentless force in the mixtape scene for nearly a decade now, with his success in executing full-lengths landing somewhere around commendable. It’s clear that he realizes there’s a stark contrast between delivering a front-to-back solid project and feeding listeners’ mixtape after mixtape for sheer relevancy, and that role plays out appropriately on Quality Street Music.

“From Day 1″ continues this stylistic, albeit limited progression, for a debut album that seeks out the indulgent being in all of us.In today’s scene there is ample space for party Rap music to thrive, an awareness Travis Porter has capitalized on over the last few years within the Southern circuit. In the process, the Decatur, Georgia trio (Ali, Quez and Strap) have built up a substantial fan base with their countless mixtapes that would fit into any dance club scenario, whatever one that comes to mind. From Day 1 continues this stylistic, albeit limited progression, for a debut album that seeks out the indulgent being in all of us

“Without Me” is a somber introduction, with a minor-key flavor punctuated by low-end bass courtesy of Zaytoven. The title track, aided by 2 Chainz, is your standard Gucci Mane fare, as is “Trap Boomin,” which gets the assist from Rick Ross. “Cyeah Cyeah” is easily one of the most interesting productions on the entire record, with Polow Da Don’s time spent with Timbaland on full display. An evolving beat with very full percussion and an eastern flavor lay the groundwork for Gucci, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown—who continues to make a bid to be taken seriously as an emcee—to work over.

The most persuasive moments of Kaliko’s 17-track effort stick to a rugged and uncompromising formula. Strange Music is an army. With Tech N9ne posted up as its general, the Kansas City cabal has successfully entrenched its roots across the underground strata of the Rap map. Independent, self-sufficient, and known for releasing music hooked around high-octane raps, the Strange Music message has spread globally. Now it’s the turn of the movement’s second-in-command, Krizz Kaliko, to build on Tech’s Klusterfuck EP from earlier this year. Although for all of Kickin’ & Screamin’s virtues it too often flirts with diluting the Strange Music battle cry.

Michael Wayne Atha, better known as Yelawolf, is quite a talented rapper. Having been in Missy Elliott’s reality series Road To Stardom, then releasing an album and some mixtapes, and now his album Radioactive is nothing short of terrific. Radioactive is a great album that I think everyone is going to love. It’s produced by Eminem. Like I said, he is quite talented and he really should have more mainstream play.

Every day we are introduced to new artists backed by a major name. Some are worth the time to listen to, but most aren’t. Kepstar’s Shades Of Gray falls in the former category. Introduced to the world by the world famous Clinton Sparks, Kepstar is off to a good start. His mixtape Shades Of Gray showcases good lyrics and solid production making for a great listen.