Over the weekend, the New York Times declared 23 year-old rapper Aubrey Drake Graham the “new face of hip-hop“. From fans to music heavy-hitters like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Diddy and Lil’ Wayne, there is quite a bit of anticipation for the mixtape wunderkind’s upcoming album, Thank Me Later, leaving many to wonder if the artist’s debut can meet expectations to break a million album units in sales in its first week. While we wait for the official release of the album tomorrow, it comes as no surprise that New York based record producer Chi Duly (known for his work with Nappy Roots) has released October’s Very Cold, a mixtape that blends the alternative rock style of Coldplay with the thoughtful and pensive lyrics of Drake. Not surprisingly, these tracks mesh well together – Mick Boogie and Terry Urban’s 2008 mixtape, Viva La Hova, combined Coldplay and Jay-Z. Among our favorites on October’s Very Cold: “Everlost”, “Troubles Over”, “Forever La Vida” and “Money to Fix”.

Tomorrow, Drake will be in New York City at South Street Seaport at 6pm to kick off Paper Magazine’s free Ray-Ban and Havaianas-sponsored Summer concert series with Hanson and Ninjasonik.

Click through for a listen of October’s Very Cold or download the mixtape here.

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Re-Living Thing, Mick Boogie’s reimagining of Peter, Bjorn and John’s most recent album, was finally unleashed on the internet this week, and we are happy to report that it was worth the wait.

On his previous mixtape, Viva La Hova, Mick Boogie collaborated with Terry Urban to create mash-ups of Coldplay’s music with Jay-Z’s rhymes. For Re-Living Thing, Mick Boogie worked closely with PB&J to select producers and rappers for each track, resulting in cool remixes layered with freshly written raps.

The concept is immediately illustrated by the opening track, “Blue Period Picasso”, where Naledge & Mickey Factz use art-themed lines to compliment PB&J’s lyrics, “The paintings surround me”. Standouts include “Stay This Way” (Big Pooh, Chaundon & Phil Nash) and “It Don’t Move Me” (Kardinal Offshall, Donnis & Henok Achido), but the whole LP is a great listen from start to finish.

This might be a premature call, but Re-Living Thing could  be my favorite mixtape of the year. It’s on-point, highly original, and definitely worth your time. Download it here, and check out “Stay This Way” below.

Mick Boogie and PB&J, Featuring Big Pooh, Chandon & Phil Nash – “Stay This Way”

Click here for the full track listing.

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All Points West ended on a high note with Coldplay‘s headlining performance on Sunday night. They brought their songs to life with outstanding musicianship, a larger-than-life backdrop and tremendous stage presence from all members of the band, particularly exhibited by frontman Chris Martin.

While their hits were more than enjoyable (gigantic yellow balloons descended on the crowd during – you guessed it – “Yellow”), some of the show’s best moments were when Coldplay paid tribute to The Beastie Boys and Michael Jackson. Chris Martin played a piano solo on a side stage to accompany his amazing musical arrangement of “Fight for your Right”. Later, when the band appeared on a small stage in the middle of the crowd, Martin sang “Billie Jean” backed by the band on three acoustic guitars.

On that note, I leave you with one of my favorites: Terry Urban’s mash-up of Coldplay’s “Vida la Viva” with Lil’ Wayne’s “A Mille”… enjoy.

Lil Wayne and Coldplay – “Viva la Mille” (Terry Urban Remix)