A mixtape is a compilation of songs and or tracks (typically copyrighted music taken from other sources) recorded in a specific order...

Mixtapes in hip hop

The mixtape format is becoming increasingly popular as a way of generating hype for hip hop artists. Often each track on a promotional hip hop mixtape will feature the same artist, thus making it more difficult to differentiate from the definition of a standard album. However, these mixtapes will usually have much lower production values than a studio album (such as housing "Demo" versions of tracks, or simply un-mastered/un-mixed versions of the tracks), and contain numerous collaborations, remixes, freestyles and voice-overs, often arranged in a specific flowing fashion, much like retail albums are.

Most mixtapes are officially pressed, most with a pressed CD and artwork, housed in a Slim-Jewel case, rather than the more expensive Full-Jewel cases most retail albums come in. Along with being officially pressed, most mixtapes are both sold and given away for free in Mp3 format over the internet, along with officially pressed CDs usually being given out for free at the artists' live concerts and/or at the DJ's live shows.

Hip hop mixtapes are usually sold on the street or through independent record dealers or mail order, mainly relying on word of mouth to increase the artist's street cred. An unsigned artist might release several mixtapes to generate buzz, leading to interest from record labels, while a signed artist may release a mixtape to promote a future studio album.

In the Mixtape, Inc. documentary, filmmakers attempt to show the importance of an otherwise illegal practice (specifically hip hop mixtapes) and how it relates to the growing popularity of this music genre. Hip hop mixtapes have been instrumental in supplementing the marketing and promotions endeavors of record labels. Ironically, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), a political lobby group funded by the major record corporations, classifies these mixtapes as bootleg or pirated music CDs.