This week, I need Industry Knowledge From YOU!
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So I sit back and observe the Music biz as a whole. I keep an eye on it's ever changing trends, styles, and sales and what not. I especially keep my eye on Hip Hop and The Local Pittsburgh scene (Say412!) and all I see is local artist putting out Mixtapes, Mixtapes, Mixtapes!!! So I'm curious about why independent artists incessantly put out Mixtapes. What is a Mixtape these days? I tried to answer that question myself and started to realize that there are so many definitions. There are Mixtapes where artists record over another national artist's or producer's beats. Then there are Mixtapes that DJ's distribute. Then there are Mixtapes where the music is original, and only one artist is featured, but isn't that an Album? If so, why call it a Mixtape? This list goes on...
My Questions:
1. What is YOUR definition of a Mixtape? And how do you decide whether you are putting out a Mixtape or an Album?
2. Why would an independent artist put out only a Mixtape, and never an Album? Is it more cost effective?
3. Has it become a prerequisite to release a Mixtape before putting out an album? (Almost as if you have to graduate to a spot of releasing albums)
4. Do Mixtape and Albums separate the "boys from the men?"
You tell me...
1. What is YOUR definition of a Mixtape? And how do you decide whether you are putting out a Mixtape or an Album?
ReplyDeleteI've only recently came to this conclusion, but these days a mixtape is a general term for a project that isn't your main for sale album. Sometimes referred to as a street album when its only original music.
2. Why would an independent artist put out only a Mixtape, and never an Album? Is it more cost effective?
From a business standpoint, its more effective to put out free material while you build up your fanbase so that when you do drop an album, you'll have a grasp on what sound works best for you, and hopefully you'll be able to do some big numbers. i.e. Wiz Khalifa, Having everyone know his mixtape material heavily increased his fanbase & overall demand.
3. Has it become a prerequisite to release a Mixtape before putting out an album? (Almost as if you have to graduate to a spot of releasing albums)
I think its a modern form of artist development.
4. Do Mixtape and Albums separate the "boys from the men?"
Not necesarrily, because most of the albums that come out are just basically singles collections, and the real honest well thought out music comes on the free albums, but once you get to the point where you can release an album to a decent amount of buyers, you are definitely on another level than the artist who has lots of fans that will only download the mixtape/album & not buy.