mixtape
A non-official release used by rappers to build buzz outside the album system.
Etymology timeline
Born ~1980 · 1 year of recorded useSeen in the wild
Photograph: Annapurna Interactive [View image in fullscreen](https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/may/07/mixtape-review#img-1) Oozing angst … Mixtape.
Listen to to #spotify. Page no one else does but one day will here djdarby2.hearnow.com/mixtape-vol-1
It's another stacked lineup, with Mixtape also among the games joining Microsoft's subscription service
omg Mixtape is finally coming out 😍
Cue the NPR interview where Dave complains about Kanye stealing his jokes for a Final Solution mixtape...
Definitions
A non-official release used by rappers to build buzz outside the album system. Originally cassette tapes; now streaming platforms.
“omg Mixtape is finally coming out 😍”
“Cue the NPR interview where Dave complains about Kanye stealing his jokes for a Final Solution mixtape...”
"His mixtape went harder than his album."
“Listen to to #spotify. Page no one else does but one day will here djdarby2.hearnow.com/mixtape-vol-1”
— Bluesky· May 2026“It's another stacked lineup, with Mixtape also among the games joining Microsoft's subscription service”
— Bluesky· May 2026“omg Mixtape is finally coming out 😍”
— Bluesky· May 2026“Cue the NPR interview where Dave complains about Kanye stealing his jokes for a Final Solution mixtape...”
— Bluesky· May 2026“Mortal Kombat II IMAX screening. Forza Horizon 6 review code. Mixtape. What a day.”
— Bluesky· May 2026
Comments
A musical project released under the designation; often characterized by looser artistic, commercial, or legal constraints than a formal studio album.
Comments
A compilation of songs assembled into a single sequence, usually encompassing many different artists and assembled by fans; often curated around a theme, mood, or personal taste; traditionally without legal permission.
“Photograph: Annapurna Interactive [View image in fullscreen](https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/may/07/mixtape-review#img-1) Oozing angst … Mixtape.”
“02. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixtape_(video_game)#cite_ref-2 "Jump up")**Clarke, Jon (8 June 2025). ["Mixtape Hands on at Summer Games Fest"](https://xboxera.com/2025/06/08/mixtape-hands-on-at-summer-game-fest/). _Xbox Era_.”
“[Jump to content](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixtape#bodyContent) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Musical project For video, see [Video mixtape](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_mixtape "Video mixtape").”
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