And I don't mean the 90s/2000s definition. I'm in the Ross thread and nikkas really like "this would have been a dope mixtape"...wtf is the difference? Very few artists can even make a full song and stay on subject, meanwhile these hiphop head want to bes are steady trying to analyze albums like they aren't the same thing as a mixtape. When it comes to rap, mixtapes are free and the albums are in stores. The producers be the same on mixtapes, same content... I don't get it
Tell Me The Difference Between Albums and Mixtapes
- Thread starter B86
- Start date
the lines have blurred, still an audio quality thing. I cant listen to any Peewee songs because it sounds like ass, a lot of Gucci's recent stuff too
sometimes it doesn't matter, a guy like Ross will spend some money. Rich Forever was fine sounding, then you look at Gunplay and his shyt sounds like Kay Slay in the 90's
sometimes it doesn't matter, a guy like Ross will spend some money. Rich Forever was fine sounding, then you look at Gunplay and his shyt sounds like Kay Slay in the 90's
OnlyInCalifornia
Southern California/Vegas
It really depends.....
Say if you are a stan of a certain New York rapper no one likes anymore.....When you think the album is going to be big, it's an album. When it comes out and does less than you projected as a fan, then you get to call it a mixtape that was 'just put out for the fans'
It was easier to figure out when mixtapes actually had some mixing on em.
Say if you are a stan of a certain New York rapper no one likes anymore.....When you think the album is going to be big, it's an album. When it comes out and does less than you projected as a fan, then you get to call it a mixtape that was 'just put out for the fans'
It was easier to figure out when mixtapes actually had some mixing on em.
I'm not sure what responses I expected, but I definitely respect these ones so far. +rep
Albums are for sale, Mixtapes are for free. Also labels have to pay for production and beats for things they sell on Albums 
Quality wise though, if the mixtape is using original beats (not rapping over other people's beats) then there isn't much difference sound wise sometimes to an album. Rappers do tend to claim they use throwaway verses or tracks sometimes....
Quality wise though, if the mixtape is using original beats (not rapping over other people's beats) then there isn't much difference sound wise sometimes to an album. Rappers do tend to claim they use throwaway verses or tracks sometimes....
licktheballs
Wu-Tang Stan
Mixtapes don't have to clear samples
I think you're missing my point. I'm speaking from a listeners standpoint. Hence me bringing up examples from the Hood Billionaire thread. I know the difference in the aspect you're talking about
HacksawJimThuggin
All Star
mixtapes > albums
Like dude said, there's no sample clearance issues, which kills the quality of albums. Also, there's no label interference telling you that you better have a Skylar Gray single, 3 Mustard beats they can push as singles, and they're gonna make you feature 2 Chainz on a song because he's your label mate. So from the artist's standpoint, they get far more control over the final vision on mixtapes.
I know Budden is hated on here, but Mood Muzik 2 really shifted the game in that regard. Before that, mixtapes were basically rappers just putting out random freestyles over popular beats. Budden couldn't get a release date for The Growth so he said fukk it and put out all the music for free on his own.
Like dude said, there's no sample clearance issues, which kills the quality of albums. Also, there's no label interference telling you that you better have a Skylar Gray single, 3 Mustard beats they can push as singles, and they're gonna make you feature 2 Chainz on a song because he's your label mate. So from the artist's standpoint, they get far more control over the final vision on mixtapes.
I know Budden is hated on here, but Mood Muzik 2 really shifted the game in that regard. Before that, mixtapes were basically rappers just putting out random freestyles over popular beats. Budden couldn't get a release date for The Growth so he said fukk it and put out all the music for free on his own.
NapsOldDroog
Rookie
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