Va. Beach's Clipse are kings of the mixtape

The latest mixtape from the Virginia Beach-based rap group Clipse, "We Got It for Cheap Vol. 3," hit the Internet recently, and judging by critical reception, it's another hit. The album features Clipse and its friends Ab-Liva and Sandman, who collectively form a group called Re-Up Gang.

Clipse's last mixtape, "WGI4C Vol. 2" was a big success - and especially sweet because it came when the duo was fighting with its record label and not officially releasing music. The New York Times, Blender magazine and other media outlets raved about the not-for-stores album, available as a free download, and it led to sold-out concerts across the country.

That digital release brought Clipse lots of notoriety, but the act's subsequent studio CD, "Hell Hath No Fury" - widely hailed as one of 2006's best records of any genre - didn't perform well commercially. Still, Clipse is keeping its mixtapes free; you can download it at reupgangrecords.net.

"You just have to roll with it," says Malice, one half of Clipse, with Pusha T, and one fourth of Re-Up Gang. "It's not just us going through that (buying slump). Everybody in the music business has to face that demon. You hope your work is not in vain, but the "We Got It for Cheap" series is about awareness, visibility and buzz. It's for the true hip-hop fan."

Last week, Pusha T popped up in Las Vegas venues during the Magic fashion convention just as the "tape" had hit the streets, and some folks swarmed him like bees to honey. Word was that the new music was just as good as, if not better than, the last mixtape, and some frothing fans hypothesized that Clipse could be "the best rap group since OutKast."

Across Web sites, fans, observers and would-be pundits have praised, compared and dissected the tapes with religious fervor.

Village Voice writer Tom Breihan calls it "a product of intense work. Lyrically, this thing is so dense it's almost exhausting, and I'm going to need a while to fully process the whole thing."

Pitchfork magazine writer Ryan Dombal gave the latest mixtape a 7.6 rating, saying, "the quartet haven't reached Kanye levels of Olympus-dom but, in an industry where loyal fandom is becoming an increasingly prized commodity, these niche artists are doing pretty well."

Malice says he appreciates the feedback. "It's good to see that people still recognize the basics and fundamentals of hip-hop."

He says he's not concerned about whether this buzz will translate into better sales for Clipse's next album, due out this summer, its first under the Rick Rubin-helmed Columbia Records.

At allhiphop.com, the album earned 9.5 stars out of 10. "Consider Re-Up the Rap version of the New England Patriots," writes reviewer Martin A. Berrios. "They come very close to achieving perfection but tire somewhat during key moments. Breaking the record aside, they are still one of the most impressive teams in the league."

Malcolm Venable, (757) 446-2662, malcolm.venable@pilotonline.com