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In the modern music industry, amixtape is a musical project, typically with looser constraints than that of analbum orextended play. Unlike the traditional album or extended play, mixtapes are labeled as laid-back projects that allow artists more creative freedom and less commercial pressure.[2] The term has significantly increased in popularity over the years due to high-profile artists marketing their projects as such.[3][4]
Prior to the decline ofphysical media, mixtapes were defined as homemade compilations of music played through acassette tape,CD, or digitalplaylist and became significant inhip-hop culture. The songs were typicallybeatmatched and consisted of seamless transitions at their beginnings and endings with fades or abrupt edits.[5] It was then defined as relatively any musical project by an up-and-coming artist. Now, mixtapes have become a label of promotion and marketing for album-like projects.[6] Dictionary.com writes that "the line between an album and a mixtape can be blurry," and that streaming services rely on the artist to make that determination.[7]
The idea of mixtapes was conceived in the early 1970s with the genesis ofhip-hop. In the 1970s,DJs such asGrandmaster Flash and theFurious Five,Afrika Bambaataa, andDJ Hollywood would often distribute recordings of their club performances through cassette tapes, bringing a wider audience to the hip-hop sound.[8] These cassettes eventually became colloquially known as mixtapes. The introduction of theSony Walkman in 1979 saw major improvements in the mobility and practicality of mixtapes.[9]
In the 1980s and 1990s, mixtapes evolved as recordings of exclusive tracks, freestyles, and remixes. They also started becoming a visible element ofyouth culture.[10] This blended both the underground and commercial appeal of mixtapes together. A notable development in mixtapes at this time was the "chopped and screwed" technique created byDJ Screw inTexas.[9] This technique created a slow-tempo sound for mixtapes, later becoming a staple ofSouthern hip-hop. Another development of the mixtape were the creations of theremix and themashup, which gave pre-existing songs a new sound to their original counterpart.[11]
In the 1990s, mixtapes eventually moved toCD burners andMP3 players as the cassette tape declined. The curation of mixtapes became more intimate as well, as many curators would assemble songs in their tapes as an overarchingtheme that they could send to their audience.
In the 2000s, mixtapes transitioned from physical media to a synonym for unofficial albums that may have legal issues being officially released.[12] They also became significant to developing artist recognition. Artists like50 Cent used mixtapes to build their reputation before being signed to alabel.[13] This also allowed for more artistry as mixtapes were not confined by the legal restrictions of a record label. As a result of his mixtapes' success, he released his critically acclaimed albumGet Rich or Die Tryin'.[14]
By the mid- to late 2000s, the original definition of the mixtape in the 1970s seemed to vanish; it instead became the term for any musical project to promote rising artists.[10] The creation of the streaming platformDatPiff introduced the publishing of mixtapes online and for free, which made mixtapes easier to obtain.[15]
In 2015, Canadian rapperDrake released his mixtapeIf You're Reading This It's Too Late, significantly muddling the line between mixtapes and albums, setting the precedent that an album-like project could be promoted as a mixtape.[15]
The popularization ofstreaming platforms and the rapid decline of physical media such asCDs andcassettes have significantly altered the definition of a mixtape and rendered the physical mixtape obsolete. Today, mixtapes are generally considered an alternative to studio albums, especially in genres of hip-hop,R&B, andindie music.[16][17] They allow artists to release music without industry-level expectations expected from the likes of aconcept album.[18] Mixtapes have become staples in the music industry and are sometimes released as holdovers or low-key releases betweenstudio albums.[6] Lesser-known artists may release them free online on more accessible streaming platforms likeSoundCloud to gain exposure, while well-known industry artists who release mixtapes usually promote them as "commercial mixtapes" as they are released on profitable streaming platforms such asSpotify orApple Music.[19] Notable examples of commercial mixtapes includeStreet Gossip byLil Baby,MMM (Money Making Mitch) byPuff Daddy, andDark Lane Demo Tapes byDrake.[20][19][21]
While the traditional album might stick to one theme, mixtapes have allowed artists to present more diverse music, atypical from the conventional concept album.[22]
In an era of short-form content, mixtapes are valuable in that they give room to maintain relevance and adapt to the fast pace ofsocial media. Because of the flexibility that mixtapes allow, releasing them on platforms likeTikTok can instantly increase an artist's mainstream recognition and reach a broader audience, and of course, without the expectations of a full album rollout.[23]
While mixtapes used to be distributed for free,Spotify,Apple Music, andSoundCloud have blurred the line between what is considered a full-on album versus what is considered a mixtape.[24][25]
However, artists typically distinguish an album from a mixtape in two ways:[26]
The marketing of a mixtape is usually minimal, spontaneous, and unorthodox. In contrast, studio albums often have more professional media campaigns,music videos and a set release. Because of a mixtape's "unpredictability" that varies from artist, mixtapes may entertain fans with excitement due to surprise releases.[6]
On streaming platforms, mixtapes are nearly identical in format, as both include album art, titles, and track lists. However, mixtapes may lack the proper promotion and radio play that traditional albums offer. Artists may informally promote their mixtapes by posting to their own social media (as opposed to having a management team do it) or by directly engaging with their fans online.[28]
For independent and emerging artists, mixtapes are a gateway to building a fanbase and experimenting with their sound.[6] For established artists, mixtapes can be an outlet for personal expression and experimentation to escape the pressures of arecord label or commercial appeal.[18][28][30] The absence of formal promotion, industry-standard production, or chart performance makes mixtapes often feature more raw and experimental sounds, which may be preferable to their fans.[6] The value of a mixtape lies in its ability to define the artist rather than an industry standard, making it an important concept in music.[16][31]
A mixtape can also serve as a precursor to an upcoming album for an artist. As an example,Travis Scott released his mixtapeDays Before Rodeo as an anticipation project for his debut album,Rodeo.[32] Another example isWhile We Wait by singer and songwriterKehlani. The name of the tape highlights the informal circumstances of the mixtape, which was released in interim to give her fans music to listen to before the release of her albumIt Was Good Until It Wasn't.[6]
Many well-known mixtapes are ineligible to be released on streaming platforms due tosample clearance issues or anylicensing issues.[33] A well-known example isNostalgia, Ultra byFrank Ocean.[34][35]
However, some mixtapes have overcome their sample clearances, allowing them to be released on major streaming platforms. These includeAcid Rap byChance the Rapper,Live. Love. ASAP byASAP Rocky,So Far Gone byDrake andFriday Night Lights byJ. Cole.[36][37]
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