It’s been a while since we heard from these cats:

Today, Constant Deviants are happy to release their new project, Platinum: The Mixtape. Emcee M.I. and beatsmith DJ Cutt are generously offering up the 17-track collection for free through their SoundCloud, compliments of the Deviants’ label, Six2Six Records.

The Platinum mixtape acts as a precursor to their upcoming album, Diamond, with the two titles representing not only the strength and quality of the music, but also playing on the idea of music sales certifications. “The album title, Diamond, is actually meant to represent the preciousness, hardness, and brilliance of a diamond,” says M.I. “But we still felt that Platinum would be unique to name the mixtape, because before you go Diamond you have to go Platinum.”

The mixtape’s two singles, “Gotta Get Paid” and “Fulton St.,” serve as the only two totally original songs on the mixtape, with the rest of Platinum boasting a wide array of other beats hand-selected by Constant Deviants, chosen to rework and make their own. “As an artist you always enjoy rapping over other peoples beats,” says M.I. “For this project, I chose beats from different genres within hip-hop – some underground and some more commercial sounds to show diversity.” Another standout track from the mixtape is “Dreams Are Free,” a personal favorite of M.I.’s. “The beat is just so much different than the music we usually do,” he explains, “but I just felt the need to destroy it and make it mine.”

CONSTANT DEVIANTS – PLATINUM : THE MIXTAPE by SIX2SIX Records