''We Got It 4 Cheap'' is a series of

mixtape In the modern music industry, a mixtape is a musical project, typically with looser constraints than that of an album or extended play. Unlike the traditional album or extended play, mixtapes are labeled as laid-back projects that allow artists mo ...

s released by Virginia

hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...

duo

Clipse Clipse, also known as the Clipse, is an American hip-hop, hip hop duo from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Formed in 1994, it consists of brothers No Malice, Gene "Malice" and Pusha T, Terrence "Pusha T" Thornton. Pusha T was known as Terrar during t ...

and Philadelphia-based rappers Ab-Liva and Sandman, collectively known as the

Re-Up Gang The Re-Up Gang was an American hip hop music, hip hop group formed in 2004, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The group was formed by Pusha T and No Malice, Malice, brothers and members of Virginia-based hip hop duo Clipse, alongside Philadelphia-ba ...

. The series produced 3 mixtapes, entitled as volumes. ''Volume 1'' and ''2'' was released in 2004 and 2005 respectively, and was hosted by DJ Clinton Sparks. ''Volume 3'' was released in 2008, and was hosted by

DJ Drama Tyree Cinque Simmons (born April 22, 1978), known professionally as DJ Drama, is an American disc jockey (DJ), record executive and music promoter. He initially gained recognition as the DJ for Atlanta-based rapper T.I., and continued to gai ...

. The main theme of all three mixtapes is

drug trafficking A drug is any chemical substance other than a nutrient or an essential dietary ingredient, which, when administered to a living organism, produces a biological effect. Consumption of drugs can be via inhalation, injection, smoking, ingestion, ...

, which has always been a

and

trademark. A compilation album, ''Re-Up Gang the Saga Continues'' was released on April 22, 2008. The album consisted of 13 best tracks from the previously released mixtapes, all remixed and remastered.

We Got It 4 Cheap, Volume 1

''We Got It 4 Cheap Volume 1'' was released in early 2004, and is the first official collection of new material from Clipse since the release of their debut album ''

Lord Willin' ''Lord Willin is the debut studio album by the American Hip-hop, hip hop duo Clipse. The album was released on August 20, 2002, in the United States by Star Trak Entertainment, Star Trak and Arista Records, Arista. Recording sessions took place ...

'' in 2002. It is hosted by DJ Clinton Sparks, who helped put the mixtape together, at Pusha T's request. While focused primarily on Clipse, the mixtape also introduced Ab-Liva and Sandman, the other half of their group, the

. They are both heavily featured throughout its twenty-five tracks, along with

Pharrell Williams Pharrell Lanscilo Williams (; born April 5, 1973), also known mononymously as Pharrell, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and fashion designer. He first became known as one half of the music production duo ...

. The tape received generally positive reviews from music critics.

Track listing

We Got It 4 Cheap, Volume 2

''We Got It 4 Cheap, Volume 2'' is the second installment in the We Got It 4 Cheap series. It was released in 2005 as a free internet download and is hosted by DJ Clinton Sparks. It consists of 18 tracks, and heavily features

and the

. The mixtape received widespread critical acclaim from music critics. It holds a score of 88 out of 100 on Album of the Year, based on a single review.

Stylus Magazine ''Stylus Magazine'' was an American online music and film magazine, launched in 2002 and co-founded by Todd L. Burns. It featured long-form music journalism, four daily music reviews, movie reviews, podcasts, an MP3 blog, and a text blog. Addi ...

gave it score of B+, stating "Volume 1 (which overall is still quite good) only seem worse because Vol. 2 is nearly flawless. On 2, the Re-Up Gang reimagines some of the most well-known hits of the first half of 2005, as well as other classics".

Pitchfork A pitchfork or hay fork is an agricultural tool used to pitch loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. It has a long handle and usually two to five thin tines designed to efficiently move such materials. The term is also applie ...

awarded the tape an 8.8, noting "Volume 2 is the best example of what a mixtape can be". Online blog site ''RapReviews'' rated the album to be an 8.5 with editor Tom Doggett saying "Here, the Clipse is immeasurably skilled, rocking every beat imaginable, old-school and new, and doing it with style and substance to spare. The details sear into my skull, from their clothing style to their dealing strategies to the ambitions they have". Volume 2 is considered to be the best in the series as well as one of the greatest mixtapes of all time. The tape is credited with revolutionizing the mixtape business, allowing to put out quality music despite being free. ''We Got It 4 Cheap'', along with

Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. He is often regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, as well as one of the greatest rappers of all ...

's ''Dedication'' series is said to have influenced the rise of acclaimed online mixtapes.

placed the album at number 130 in their list of Top 200 Albums of the 2000s, and at number 2 on their list of the top 50 rap mixtapes of the millennium.

Track listing

We Got It for Cheap Volume 3

''We Got It for Cheap Volume 3'' was released as a free download through the Re-Up Records website on February 5, 2008. Unlike the previous installments in the series, it is hosted by

Track listing

Note: *¹ Originally appeared on

's debut album, '' Gangsta Grillz: The Album''.

References

{{Clipse Clipse albums Albums produced by the Neptunes 2004 mixtape albums 2005 mixtape albums 2008 mixtape albums Concept album series