The Art of the Mixtape
The official definition of a mixtape is “a compilation of songs recorded (as onto a cassette tape or a CD) from various sources,” but the true meaning is much more fluid.
Mixtapes rose to fame in the ‘80s and ‘90s when DJs would compile tracks from various artists onto one medium, the cassette. They also became popular in the rap community as a more raw take on a commercial album; artists would rap/freestyle over a preexisting beat, compile the tracks, and distribute the tapes themselves. Well-known rappers like 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, and Drake used mixtapes to help establish themselves at the start of their careers.
Mixtapes are intentional, personal, and meant to be heard in the order they’re arranged. Not to be confused with concept albums, which are ”a collection of songs about a specific theme or story.” While similar in design, mixtapes are created with preexisting songs, and concept albums are new songs directly from the artist. In November, Adele won the fight to remove the shuffle feature from the default page for her album on Spotify, saying,”We don’t create albums with so much care and thought into our track listing for no reason. Our art tells a story, and our stories should be listened to as we intended.”
In short, if there were a Venn diagram of mixtapes and concept albums, storytelling and song order would be in the middle.
In the digital age, mixtapes are known as playlists. Playlist-making has evolved into an art form in and of itself, as streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music push compilations over singular albums to the forefront. These services have teams of curators who make playlists specifically for the service. Still, users have created a world where they can express themselves through music, without actually making music.
Of course, users can throw together digital mixtapes however they want, but there are a lucky few who get paid to do it. In a 2015 interview with Peter Asbill, Google Play’s global streaming lead at the time, he explained that if someone were interested in becoming a playlist curator for Google, they would have to pass the Susan Boyle Test. “It’s about getting people to check their ego at the door… if they can’t understand Susan Boyle, why she appeals to people and what they’re interested in, they’re not going to be a successful curator for us.”
Playlist curation is not an exact science by any means, but there are a few guidelines that can take your mix from a haphazard jumble of songs to an intricate story for your listeners. There’s nothing wrong with a jumble, but as Rob says in Hulu’s recent reboot of High Fidelity, “a good compilation, like so many things in life, is hard to do.”
UNHNGD’s Unofficial Rules for Exquisite Mixtapes
In the words of Peter Asbill, “Check your ego at the door.”
When making playlists, you have to be open to new music. There are millions of songs out there, and you might be missing some great additions to your mix because you want everyone to know that you liked Phoebe Bridgers before she was famous.
Pick a theme
This one is self-explanatory but still an essential step in creating an exquisite mixtape.
Know your audience
Even if your mix is just for a small gathering, you have to keep their interests in mind. Find a few tracks from their favorite artists that flow with your theme and sprinkle them throughout. Everyone loves to hear songs they know, so this is a surefire way to ensure everyone enjoys the music.
Keep it relevant
A carefully curated playlist would not go from Dolly Parton to Metallica in two songs (unless it was a Dolly Parton/Metallica mix). Once you have your theme, stick to it. You don’t want to scare off your listeners, and at the same time, you don’t want to bore them. Keep your songs relevant, but don’t be afraid to push the boundaries of your theme. You are, after all, the pilot of this plane.
Be open to feedback
Stay in tune with your listeners. If they’re not feeling it, that’s okay! It doesn’t mean your playlist is terrible; it is simply not the vibe. Queue up a few crowd-pleasing songs, and if all else fails, switch to a playlist you know everyone will love.
None of this matters if you’re not having fun
This is the most crucial step. If you’re not having fun, disregard steps 1-5. Some of the best playlists have no rules at all. If you feel like the Dolly Parton/Metallica mix is the right choice, by all means, go for it.