All Of Your Favorite Artists Have Mixtapes, And Here's Where You Can Find Them
If you're a mixtape lover, then you need this app in your life ASAP (Rocky). Look to the end for my mixtape recommendations!
As we all know, artists like Chance The Rapper, Post Malone, Drake, Travis Scott, and A$AP Rocky are musical geniuses, but have you ever wondered if there was more to your favorite rappers?
Some of the most creative, refreshing music is floating around us in the form of full-length digital mixtapes. The best part? It's free and downloadable if you know where to look.
Apple Music and Spotify have made it easy to find obscure songs, but some music just can't be featured on these apps, and it all boils down to copyright issues. Thankfully, music publishing platforms like Soundcloud, LiveMixtapes and — my personal favorite — Datpiff exist to satisfy your urban street music needs.
A pro of this is that mixtapes feel more underground when they aren't on widely-known music platforms. Spotify Community
Urban Dictionary describes a mixtape as, "a selection of audio recordings taken from various musical groups and placed on one media (cassette, cd, mp3 playlist). It is often given as a gift to friends and used in the courting rituals of teenagers."
Back in the early days of rap music (late '70s and early '80s), DJ-mixed compilations of fresh tracks weaved with rapped lyrics erupted in clubs and parties, and these glorious mixes were a sensation among the younger population.
Yes, women were DJs too. Giphy
The earliest '90s kids are cool enough to have experienced the tail end of the Walkman cassette player trend, but what about the rest of us?
I hope I'm not the only one that has been convinced by this Giphy to go to my local thrift store to purchase a Walkman. Giphy
Nowadays, we have apps on our phones and sites on our computers for our music addictions. This makes the mixtapes easier to access and allows for us to play the music louder than it would play if listened to through old school headphones.
They keep tunes sounding fresh, attract new fans, give people something to talk about and provide a platform for artists to collaborate with big names in the industry. Also, mixtapes are sometimes (most of the time) more fun than albums.
R.I.P. to an OG mixtape creator. Giphy
Some highly-rated mixtapes to help kick-start your mixtape love:
Acid Rap — Chance The Rapper
August 26th — Post Malone
The Presentation — Drake
Part Time (songs that didn't make it to "AstroWorld") & Travis Scott Vs La Flame: The Wrath of Scott — Travis Scott
Best of A$AP Rocky — A$AP Rocky
the 25 songs that HAVE to be on your summer playlist
Your summer is defined by your soundtrack:why make it anything but amazing? These songs will keep you and your friends grooving at any hangout.
Memories are made with two things: music and friends. Here's some help with one of those factors.
1. "Redbone" -Childish Gambino
when you hear the first hit of the drum the tears start falling.
2. "XO Tour Llif3" -Lil Uzi Vert
If your friends don't accompany you in screaming "I don't really care if you cryyyy", they're not your friends.
3. "Sober" - Childish Gambino
the lyrics make everyone depressed, but it's still a bop.
4. "Young Dumb & Broke" - Khalid
We've all personally been in this situation (still are)
5. "Plug Walk" -Rich the Kid
Never makes sense but always gives you an emotional dance break between sad songs.
6. "Ball For Me" -Post Malone & Nicki Manaj
Posty is always a great choice- and then add the QUEEN.. It's a yes.
7. "Kids See Ghosts"-KIDS SEE GHOSTS
Cudi and Kanye define Summer cookout playlist with this.
8. "Soulmate" - Mac Miller
YOU MY SOULMATE. we can all admit we just want someone to sing this to us
9. "NBAYOUNGBOAT" -Lil Yachty and NBA
the song that will make you wanna get up on the table tops and dance.
10. "Campfire"- AMINE
it's old school. it's groovy. it's Amine... what more do you need?
11. "Love me forever" - Lil Yachty
Lil Boat being sweet????
12. "Pretty Girl" -Clairo
one to sit by the pool with friends.
13. "Pink Toes"- Childish Gambino
ACT LIKE YOU KNOW
14. "Lucid Dreams" -Juice WRLD
again, one of the sad songs we all relate to.
15. "Cherry Blossom"- Jon Vinyl
one of those chill songs you stare at the ceiling to
16. "My Favorite Part"-Mac Miller
again: adorable song we all want sung to us
17. "LEMON"-N.E.R.D. &Rhianna
Just get it how ya live it.
18. "Run to the Sun"-N.E.R.D
Jazzy.
19. "Bubblin'" -Anderson.paak
a ghetto version of 007.
20. "Wanted you" -NAV & Lil Uzi Vert
from "where ya at?" you're all ears
21. "Nice for What"-Drake
Makes you want to dance
22. "DANG!"- Mac Miller & Anderson.paak
Two legends at it again
23. "KOD"-J.cole
cole always brings the hits
24. "WATCH"- Travis Scott & Lil Uzi Vert
look at ya rollie look at my rollie
25. "Really? Yeah!"-KYLE
low key fire.