I don’t actually think the mixtape will save us all–promise. But discounting the obscene glut of product that has plagued us in the mixtape era, I do think it’s pretty win-win for artists and consumers. Particularly since rappers (and non-rappers) are stepping up their game and evolving beyond the simple arithmetic of written “freestyles” over recycled beats + otiose skits + a half-hearted 16-bar cameo from that R&B chick’s album. The article is part of the Voice’s Pazz & Jop’s package; you may have read it by now. There are other interesting articles too. In particular, I recommend Rob Harvilla on M.I.A. and Simon Reynolds on Vampire Weekend.
Posting (from me) will be a bit light until mid-next week, as I’m Bay-bound to visit friends, see Wooden Shjips, and re-enact the Sean Connery/Nicholas Cage epic, The Rock. Rest assured, there will be vulgar epigrams about prom queens a-plenty.
Village Voice-The Mixtape Will Save Us All
Download:
ZIP: Wale-The Mixtape About Nothing (Left-Click)
ZIP: Esau Mwamwaya & Radioclit-The Very Best (Left-Click)
ZIP: Diplo & Santogold-Top Ranking (Left-Click)
