This mix by no means represents every hip hop act going on stage for CMJ’s annual music marathon, but it does a good job covering the hip hop melting pot. Each DJ gets half the mix to pull in some of the best from the East (Jadakiss) to West (Snoop Dogg), Underground (Bekay) to Mainstream (Drake), and Vets (M.O.P) to Newcomers (Fashawn), all the while exhibiting their mixing and scratching abilities like every good DJ should.

Since the birth of hip hop music, there is no denying that regardless of the expansion of the genre’s widespread appeal, New York and California are still the front runners for most of hip hop’s recognition.

It seems like Wu-Tang has been dominating the headlines here recently at HHLO. With so much current talk about the Wu and the recent release by Raekwon, we want to know what you think. Which Wu-Tang solo album ranks the highest in your opinion?

While other rappers flood the game with thug fairy tales and fabricate super-gangster identities, Cormega always delivers what the game really needs. From killers’ anthems that do more to expose the ugly side of street life than glorify it to soulful dedications that uplift loved ones and honor those that are left behind, the Queens rapper offers up pieces of true life in the form of good music.

Fact: The original version of “A Millie” featured Cory Gunz. The first downloadable version of the track had Wayne do his thing, and then give way to a lyrical tyrant, who assaulted Bangladesh’s beat.

HHLO.net wants to know what you think of Joe Budden’s “Padded Room.” Don’t be scared, it’s all anonymous!