:The Mixtape About Nothing
{{Infobox album
| name = The Mixtape About Nothing
| type = mixtape
| artist = Wale
| cover = MixtapeAboutNothing.jpg
| released = May 30, 2008
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Alternative hip hop
| length = 72:33
| label = 10.Deep
| producer = {{hlist|Best Kept Secret|Eli Escobar|J Dilla|James Poyser|Mark Ronson|Osinachi|Questlove|Scott Storch|Scottie B|Sean C & LV}}
| prev_title = 100 Miles & Running
| prev_year = 2007
| year = 2008
| next_title = Attention Deficit
| next_year = 2009
}}
The Mixtape About Nothing is the fourth mixtape by American rapper Wale, released on May 30, 2008. It was mixed by Nick Catchdubs, and released as a collaboration with New York streetwear brand 10.Deep Clothing as a free download.[http://www.10deep.com/WALEMIXTAPE 10.Deep Presents: Wale - The Mixtape About Nothing" ]
Theme
Wale was inspired by the show Seinfeld.{{Cite web |url=http://www.urb.com/permalink/2269/New-Wale-mixtape-about-nothing.html |title=URB Magazine: Urb Blogs |access-date=2008-06-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526163649/http://www.urb.com/permalink/2269/New-Wale-mixtape-about-nothing.html |archive-date=2008-05-26 |url-status=dead }}[http://www.thefader.com/articles/2008/2/12/what-s-with-wale-rapping-so-good The FADER - What's With Wale Rapping So Good?] Wale claims he has "seen every episode".{{Cite web |url=http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/02/wale-seinfeld.html |title=Wale reveals details of 'Seinfeld' mixtape {{!}} In the studio, Music {{!}} Hollywood Insider {{!}} EW.com |access-date=2008-05-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305142757/http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/02/wale-seinfeld.html |archive-date=2008-03-05 |url-status=dead }} 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.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080302210527/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/02/29/wale-gives-the-street-a-festivus-treat-with-seinfeld-inspired-mixtape/ Wale Gives the Street a Festivus Treat With Seinfeld-Inspired Mixtape : Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily] In 2015, Wale collaborated with Jerry Seinfeld on an album called The Album About Nothing.{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/covers/wale-seinfeld-interview-2014-cover-story/|title = Wale and Jerry Seinfeld Interview (2014 Cover Story) | Complex|website = Complex Networks}}
Critical reception
{{Album reviews
|rev1 = Pitchfork Media
|rev1score = (8.4/10)[http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11963-the-mixtape-about-nothing/ Pitchfork Media review]
|rev2 = Popmatters
|rev2Score = {{rating|8|10|full=Disc Plain yellow dark.svg|half=AwesomeTemplate.svg|empty=Plain Disc 20% grey.svg|rating=disc}}{{cite web|last=Gaerig|first=Chris|date=August 14, 2008|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/wale-the-mixtape-about-nothing/|title=Wale: The Mixtape About Nothing|publisher=Popmatters|accessdate=March 2, 2015}}
|rev3 = RapReviews
|rev4 = The Skinny
|rev4Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Ally|date=June 27, 2008|url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/wale-the-mixtape-about-nothing|title=Wale – The Mixtape About Nothing|work=The Skinny|publisher=Radge Media|accessdate=March 2, 2015}}
|rev5 = Slant Magazine
|rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}[http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/wale-the-mixtape-about-nothing/1432 Slantmagazine review]
|rev6= Robert Christgau
|rev6score={{rating-Christgau|hm3}}[http://robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=wale Consumer Guide Wale Reviews]
}}
Upon its release, The Mixtape About Nothing has received favorable reviews from music critics. Arthur Gailes of RapReviews.com gave the album an 8.5 out of 10.
Track listing
From "The Mixtape About Nothing".
| class="wikitable" |
| #
! Song ! Time ! Featured guest(s) ! Producer(s) |
|---|
| 1
| "The Opening Title Sequence" | 2:43 | |
| 2
| "The Roots Song Wale Is On" | 1:37 |
| 3
| "The Feature Heavy Song" | 3:37 | Best Kept Secret |
| 4
| "The Freestyle (Roc Boys)" | 4:12 | |
| 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 | Best Kept Secret |
| 9
| "The Remake of a Remake (All I Need)" | 3:00 | Tawiah |
| 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 | Osinachi |
| 16
| "The Bmore Club Slam" | 3:59 | | Scottie B |
| 17
| "The Chicago Falcon (Remix)" | 3:09 | Mark Ronson, Eli Escobar |
| 18
| "The Hype" | 5:53 | | Best Kept Secret |
| 19
| "The End Credits" | 5:54 | | Best Kept Secret |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Wale}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mixtape About Nothing, The}}