Mixtapes, albums, street albums, etc...

[R-Tistic]

A few years ago, I realized that some mixtapes that came out were basically albums to me, since they had 90% or even 100% original beats on them. I see that many rappers will call their projects "Mixtapes" versus albums, possibly due to the fact that they were not backed by major companies.

Do you all feel that "mixtapes" have a connotation to them that they were more thrown together, versus spending the time and effort that an "album" seems to have? Do you feel that artists should get back to doing albums without making 5, 10, 25 mixtapes between albums, or in replacement of albums? Should they only call it an "album" if it's for sale in stores and is backed by a major company?

[acgrundy]

fuck what they call it, they should make good music and that is the bottom line.  Unfortunately I never hear good music anymore.

[HimselfTheMajestic]

i think mixtapes are essential to establishing newer acts.

i think the true mixtape, is a album comprised of other peoples beats, usually mixed
and blended by a dj. thats how people get their name out as rappers, get a prominent
dj to put you on his mixes or whatever.

with this new shit, people putting out actual albums as opposed to mixtapes,
i think it also works to establish an artist or get people to check his shit.
but essentially, thats not a mixtape anymore, unless it has a dj mixing and blending
throughout the whole album, then i'd consider it a mixtape, just with original tracks.

it's good for establishing unknown or up and coming acts,
but it's pretty much pointless if you're already established or well known.

i think most established artists do it now as promotion for their upcoming releases,
or to do something without creative restrictions and flex their artistic muscle so to speak.