While over at XXL.com, I spotted an editorial by Karen Civil on whether mixtapes or albums were better in today's hip hop scene. This is an argument that's raised every other day in hardcore hip hop circles and forums. Personally, I've been saying Mixtapes > Albums for the better half of the last decade. Here's an excerpt from Civil's post over at XXL.
As it stands, I know albums are supposed to cater to a wide demographic. But unless you’re Jay-Z, T.I., Lil Wayne, Kanye or Jeezy, chances you’re not going to do crazy numbers. At least not in this day and age. An artist stands more to gain from carefully planning a mixtape (with a thorough and creative marketing process) by attacking his hardcore audience and gaining a following from there. Look at Cam’ron and the Diplomats. Their albums were successful, but it’s their mixtape following as to why they’re generally held in such high regard. Remember Diplomats Vol. 1-5 and Juelz’s Back Like Cooked Crack series?
I know I agree (because I've been saying it for the last couple years) but what y'all think? Read the rest here.
I'm 50/50 with both.
I prefer the quality of an album over a mixtape. Perfection...songs are in full quality, full length...no 1 minute song that is usually the best track on the whole damn thing. NO DJ...depending on the "mixtape/project". But these days albums are more "friendly" in content. Dope songs being cut because there are either too aggressive on lyrics or the content itself. The direction is more towards everyone who hasn't heard the music instead of the original fans who already know the music.
But the mixtape...raw & uncut. An artist usually lets it out uncensored compared to what the labels will or won't let be heard with there name on it. But then you got those mixtapes that have 40 something tracks barely one or two minutes long.
There are pros and cons with each format. But the better of the music are usually found on mixtapes than albums these years.
The late 90's....the time when the odds of me copping a album that was trash was not as bad. Today if I bought 10 albums, 2 of them might be dope.