Released in the summer of 2010, Pittsburgh emcee
Mac Miller
's fourth mixtape
K.I.D.S.
was his big breakthrough, kicking off an upward trajectory that culminated in a number-one placement for his official studio debut,
Blue Slide Park
. Combining head-nodding beats indebted to classic '90s boom-bap production and inspired samples from the likes of
Nas
,
Lord Finesse
Owl City
, and
Empire of the Sun
showcased
Miller
's endearing, coming-of-age lyrics and steady bars delivered with his signature lackadaisical cadence. Highlights include "Nikes on My Feet," "The Spins," and "Paper Route" with fellow Pittsburgh rapper
Chevy Woods
. An underground hit supported by a sell-out 2011 tour,
made its chart debut a decade after its release when it arrived on streaming services in 2020, landing just outside the Top 100 on the Billboard 200. ~ Neil Z. Yeung