Mixtapes Killed The Rap Star

[2dog]

In the 90's record sales were sky high for West Coast rappers, maybe because of the success the big artists were having. But come the year 2000, "mixtapes" started dropping because they were easy to distribute and cheap. Also a lot of artists wernt getting record deals so they started dropping mixtapes.

IMO this poluted the music, big named artists started releasing mixtapes, and by the time their "real albums" dropped, people were used to just downloading their free mixtapes and had so many mixtape tracks, there was no real anticipation for retail albums.

Mixtapes are ok for unknown artists, but the top artists need to just stick to releasing retail music like Jay Z, Kanye,  etc do.

Some artists killed their careers by releasing decent mixtapes.

[EnzoUK]

i agree with all of that.

[Jaydc555]

I think a well placed mixtape can make a persons career.Hell 50 created this whole mixtape game basically and launched his career from it.People like lil wayne and young jeezy built themself up from mixtapes.Joe budden built his career on his mood muzik series.But sometimes artist put their best work on their mixtapes and their albums are terrible ie. lloyd banks,fabolous and jadakiss.

[K.Dub]

I agree with some of what you are saying, but Soulless got a point too. A well timed mixtape/street album (pref. without a DJ) is a good move, however;

All these quadrillion "DJ <insert lame name> presents, shouts and fucks up the tracks" <insert rapper> with all the "hottest beats" and 1:41 long tracks ("freestyles") is too much.

[LONDON!!]

mixtapes are cool for well timed promotional use, this is there major benefit to me, to keep the customers clucking for more potent product when artists are about to release a album or keeping there pen game sharp in between record deals

i'm not really into the whole dj's talking all over the tracks apart from dj care bear from dumbout in queens, who comes wit vibes, other than that, i'm not into the whole talking over the tracks, but its not a big deal so long as its not too bad, for real

[Jaydc555]

I wont even listen to a mixtape when i see a certain dj on it.Like dj nik bean ruined crooked is bossacre mixtape with his constant yelling.And whoo kid is terrible,same with dj noodles and ill will.

[2dog]

When I say Mixtapes, I also mean "underground/street" albums.

Some artists have given so many mixtape records, that nobody really looks at a retail album any different.

[LONDON!!]

what would happen witout mixtapes/street albums is a worst scenario

the major label game is 99.9% pop now, they control the structure, so major label albums are goin to have a certain criteria they have to meet at the moment, i don't see no one going against the grain to change that no where too soon, so the mixtapes are also a way of giving starving fans that undiluted piff witout any label constraints, that raw, hardcore shit before the major album drops, so its a double edged sword too

[D-TalkX]

I agree 100%....mixtapes are awful haven't heard a good one to this day...mostly cuz i don't wanna hear a DJ saying nothing for 30 minutes.

[Jaydc555]

I agree 100%....mixtapes are awful haven't heard a good one to this day...mostly cuz i don't wanna hear a DJ saying nothing for 30 minutes.

I feel sorry for you honestly.I can name ten mixtapes off the top of my head that are better then most peoples albums.Theirs a lot of crap out there no doubt but theirs some classic mixtapes out there

[Booz]

I wont even listen to a mixtape when i see a certain dj on it.Like dj nik bean ruined crooked is bossacre mixtape with his constant yelling.And whoo kid is terrible,same with dj noodles and ill will.

What? He aint that bad nowadays.

[Jaydc555]

Maybe ill check him out all i remember is him back in the day with the yelling and the gun shots and bringing it back and the CANT FORGET INSERT RANDOM NAME HERE.

[MediumL]

Nah its rappers all expecting to do a 50 Cent and blow sky high from mixtapes which is the problem. Only a few have really benefited (50, Wayne, Jeezy, Gucci, Drake etc). I think its better to try and make quality albums which gain attention than mixtapes of 50 freestyles. Its kinda lame when your whole discography is comprised of mixtapes...

[Jaydc555]

Nah its rappers all expecting to do a 50 Cent and blow sky high from mixtapes which is the problem. Only a few have really benefited (50, Wayne, Jeezy, Gucci, Drake etc). I think its better to try and make quality albums which gain attention than mixtapes of 50 freestyles. Its kinda lame when your whole discography is comprised of mixtapes...

Problem is no record labels release albums anymore

[MediumL]

^^^ Be independent. I've seen enough UK rappers release albums independently and they've got less than a tenth of the audience most US rappers have available.

Having albums in store or available to download on itunes>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> releasing freestyles every week