Mixtape Platforms Like DatPiff Boosted Rap. Can They Be Preserved? – The Gentleman Report
Wiz Khalifa unveiled in a telephone interview that his popularity soared in the United States after he started releasing mixtapes on DatPiff. He attributes platforms like DatPiff for allowing him to measure which genres of music his fans adored the most and for enabling him to showcase his songs on tours across the nation, even if they were crafted in his basement.
The democratization and convenience of online music distribution also had an impact on how it was covered. Passionate individuals created their own frequently updated blogs, such as NahRight, 2DopeBoyz, and Fake Shore Drive, which became popular platforms for documenting and discussing new releases. This shift diminished the influence of magazines as gatekeepers. With the passage of time, many of these blog posts have been deleted or lost.
Tim Larew, a music manager who previously wrote for Pigeons & Planes, commented that these mixtape sites remind us of a distinctive era in music, particularly in hip-hop. It was a time when those who were knowledgeable understood the significance, and those who were present experienced it.
However, mixtape sites began to lose popularity as hip-hop artists started capitalizing on another innovation. With the emergence of streaming platforms that offered an extensive collection of songs, there were fewer incentives, especially for established artists, to release their music on mixtape sites. DatPiff acknowledged on Twitter in 2018 that two of Wiz Khalifa’s mixtapes, “Taylor Allderdice” and “Cabin Fever 2,” ranked among the most downloaded in its history. Nowadays, both mixtapes are available on Tidal, Apple Music, and Spotify, making them more accessible to listeners and allowing Wiz Khalifa to monetize his work.
However, not every mixtape was able to make it onto legal streaming services. Fan-favorite free mixtapes from Chance the Rapper and Mac Miller eventually found their way onto these platforms, but they had to be modified due to clearance issues. E. Dan, a producer and mixer who frequently collaborated with Miller before his passing in 2018, mentioned that there was some disappointment among fans when Miller’s “Faces” was released on major services in 2021, seven years after its initial release, without a few samples.
According to the producer, if you want the music to remain accessible and endure, you must adapt to the evolving changes in media consumption and music accessibility.
Wiz Khalifa revealed in a phone interview that his popularity skyrocketed in the United States after he began releasing mixtapes on DatPiff. He credits platforms like DatPiff for allowing him to gauge which types of music his fans loved the most and for enabling him to perform his songs on tours throughout the country, even if they were crafted in his basement.
The democratization and convenience of online music distribution also affected how it was covered. Dedicated individuals created their own frequently updated blogs, such as NahRight, 2DopeBoyz, and Fake Shore Drive, which became popular platforms for documenting and discussing new releases. This shift diminished the influence of magazines as gatekeepers. With the passage of time, many of these blog posts have been deleted or lost.
Tim Larew, a music manager who used to write for Pigeons & Planes, remarked that these mixtape sites remind us of a unique era in music, particularly in hip-hop. It was a time when those who were aware knew the significance and those who were present experienced it.
However, mixtape sites began to lose popularity as hip-hop artists started capitalizing on another innovation. With the emergence of streaming platforms that offered an endless collection of songs, there were fewer incentives, especially for established artists, to release their music on mixtape sites. DatPiff acknowledged on Twitter in 2018 that two of Wiz Khalifa’s mixtapes, “Taylor Allderdice” and “Cabin Fever 2,” ranked among the most downloaded in its history. Nowadays, both mixtapes are available on Tidal, Apple Music, and Spotify, making them more accessible to listeners and allowing Wiz Khalifa to monetize his work.
However, not every mixtape was able to make it onto legal streaming services. Fan-favorite free mixtapes from Chance the Rapper and Mac Miller eventually found their way onto these platforms, but they had to be altered due to clearance issues. E. Dan, a producer and mixer who frequently collaborated with Miller before his passing in 2018, mentioned that there was some disappointment among fans when Miller’s “Faces” was released on major services in 2021, seven years after its initial release, without a few samples.
According to the producer, if you want the music to continue to be accessible and endure, you need to adapt to the evolving changes in media consumption and music accessibility.
