THE MIXTAPE CIRCUIT

The mixtape is huge in todays industry. They have always been hot and my preferred method of seeing whats and who's out there. From way back in the day where mixtapes were actually tapes. Being outside of NY, I would have to search for my tapes, usually ordering my free catalog from the back of The Source. After reviewing every playlist and finding a couple hot joints from one of my favorite rappers and I was sold! I would patiently wait for that thick brown envelope and 'let that tape rock, till my tape popped'. I would follow that process every 2 months or so. I think by having to search for hip hop as a youth gives me more respect for it and makes me more knowledgeable than the average consumer. Of course, now they are much easier to access. The internet has made that possible ... .but before the internet, I was in the magazines, in the books, the stores, trying to get my hands on anything hip hop. Even buying the Hip Hop compilations in the mid 80's from K-Mart that featured the Chicago Bears Superbowl Rap followed by Rappin' Duke (Dah Hah, Dah Hah!). That joing was classic, matter fact, it was called Power Rap! I was just that much of a hip hop head.

Now, back to the mixtape. Today they are very easy to come buy. You can buy them online, you can buy them in stores. If you have the opportunity to walk down Flatbush Ave or stroll through Fulton Mall, you can get them from just about any store. Mixtapes DJ's are huge and some probably make more money than the rappers on their tapes. Not only are mixtape DJ's huge, but mixtape artists, are really in the public eye these days. Especially the public that I know. Most of these artists see the success of a 50 Cent, and the labels see it too ... a mixtape buzz is almost a prerequisite to acheive industry success or get a look from a label. There are alot of mixtape artists out there, and alot of mixtape DJ's out there. - That is where I come in, I spend almost all of my free time on the websites, seeing who's hot, seeing who's not, listening to mixtapes, downloading mixtapes .... I have the knowledge and I don't trust anyones opinion like i trust my own .... So i'm here to break down my opinions on today Mixtape Circuit. From the artists to the DJ's and everything in between. I will break down mixtapes, I will criticize or big up mixtape DJ's and Artists .... so welcome to the ride family.