The Mixtape About Nothing

the mixtape about nothing
Mixtape by Wale
Released May 30, 2008
Genre Alternative hip hop
Length 72:33
Wale chronology

100 Miles & Running
(2007)		 The Mixtape About Nothing
(2008)		 Attention Deficit
(2009)

The Mixtape About Nothing is the fourth mixtape by American rapper Wale, released on May 30, 2008. It was mixed by Nick Catchdubs in collaboration with New York streetwear brand 10.Deep Clothing as a free download.[1]

Theme

Wale was inspired by the show Seinfeld.[2][3] Wale claims he has "seen every episode".[4] The mixtape samples extensively from Seinfeld, and Wale peppers his raps with frequent reference to jokes and catch phrases from the series. Each track follows the series' naming conventions for episodes, formatting each title with the definitive article "The." In the track "The Kramer," Wale raps about use of the word "nigger," referring to the Michael Richards Laugh Factory incident, which Wale also attacks across the rest of the mixtape. Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who plays the character Elaine Benes in Seinfeld, appears on the mixtape.[5] In 2015, Wale collaborated with Jerry Seinfeld on an album called The Album About Nothing.[6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Pitchfork Media (8.4/10)[7]
Popmatters [8]
RapReviews (8.5/10)[9]
The Skinny [10]
Slant Magazine [11]

Upon its release, The Mixtape About Nothing has received favorable review from music critics. Arthur Gailes of RapReviews.com gave the album an 8.5 out of 10.

Tracklisting[12]

# Song Time Featured guest(s) Producer(s)
1 "The Opening Title Sequence" 2:43 Best Kept Secret
2 "The Roots Song Wale Is On" 1:37 The Roots, Chrisette Michele Questlove, James Poyser
3 "The Feature Heavy Song" 3:37 Bun B, Pusha T, Tre Best Kept Secret
4 "The Freestyle (Roc Boys)" 4:12 Sean C & LV
5 "The Perfect Plan" 2:53 Best Kept Secret
6 "The Kramer" 4:14 Best Kept Secret
7 "The Crazy" 3:04 Best Kept Secret
8 "The Vacation from Ourselves" 4:21 Julia Louis-Dreyfus Best Kept Secret
9 "The Remake of a Remake (All I Need)" 3:00 Tawiah Mark Ronson
10 "The Grown Up" 4:08 Best Kept Secret
11 "The Manipulation" 4:16 Best Kept Secret
12 "The Artistic Integrity" 3:22 Best Kept Secret
13 "The Star" 5:53 J Dilla, Questlove, Scott Storch
14 "The Skit (Untz Untz)" 2:21
15 "The Cliche Lil Wayne Feature (It's the Remix Baby!)" 3:59 Lil Wayne Osinachi
16 "The Bmore Club Slam" 3:59 Scottie B
17 "The Chicago Falcon (Remix)" 3:09 The Budos Band Mark Ronson, Eli Escobar
18 "The Hype" 5:53 Best Kept Secret
19 "The End Credits" 5:54 Best Kept Secret

References

  1. ↑ 10.Deep Presents: Wale - The Mixtape About Nothing"
  2. ↑ URB Magazine: Urb Blogs
  3. ↑ The FADER - What's With Wale Rapping So Good?
  4. ↑ Wale reveals details of 'Seinfeld' mixtape | In the studio, Music | Hollywood Insider | EW.com
  5. ↑ Wale Gives the Street a Festivus Treat With Seinfeld-Inspired Mixtape : Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ Pitchfork Media review
  8. ↑ Gaerig, Chris (August 14, 2008). "Wale: The Mixtape About Nothing". Popmatters. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  9. ↑ Gailes, Arthur (June 14, 2008). "Wale :: The Mixtape About Nothing :: myspace.com/wale202". RapReviews.com. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  10. ↑ Brown, Ally (June 27, 2008). "Wale – The Mixtape About Nothing". The Skinny. Radge Media. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  11. ↑ Slantmagazine review
  12. ↑ 10.Deep Presents: Wale's "The Mixtape About Nothing"