Mixtape Mondays: Green Lion Crew x Kabaka Pyramid, Hipsters Don’t Dance, DJ Select

Words by DJ Theory —

Sliding into another week of Mixtape Mondays, we’re treated to three different takes on carnival and reggae music. From undiluted roots to crossover anthems to sure-shot soca, the vibes cyan done.

Green Lion Crew, New Year: New England/St. Croix’s Green Lion Crew have a brand new tape, hosted by none other than one of our top artists to watch for 2013, Kabaka Pyramid. Affirming that roots music is strongly alive and well in 2013, Green Lion—known for their solid one-drop rhythm productions—combine new riddims of their own with some help from Zinc Fince, Adde x Jr Blender, Jukeboxx, Kirkle Dove and more to bring you this essential recording of the new sound of modern and conscious reggae music. Featuring a handful of buzzing singers including Chronixx and Protoje (more of our top prospects for the new year), this is a necessary download for roots reggae fans. Stream and download below, tracklist here.

Hipsters Don’t Dance, World Carnival #4: Our folks at London’s Hipsters Don’t Dance know a thing or two about parties, namely the rum, paint and sweat-soaked variety that fills the streets come carnival season every year. Hailing from the UK, they have a little broader of an appreciation for what their fete of choice might include, and through their World Carnival mix series, they’re able to showcase and share their ideal carnival experience, combining rhythms, anthems and forwards from Jamaica, Trinidad, Nigeria, South Africa, the UK and beyond. Wave yuh flag and stream below, download here, tracklist here.

DJ Select, Soca Splash 2013: LargeUp homie and Radio Lily resident DJ Select turns up the vibes with his latest mixtape offering, digging deep into strictly 2013 groovy soca. Flexing his diversity over 1.75 hours, Select lives up to his title, handling selections like a boss and delivering a foolproof soca soundtrack sure to appeal to newcomers and liming experts alike. Not saying you should slip some rum in your Monday morning coffee for this, but it definitely wouldn’t hurt if you did… Stream and download below, tracklist here.