Mixtapes are great tools to stay relevant – DJs

With 2020 seeing more of a digital-driven world, mixtapes are leading as the fuel that keep music in motion, according to Shamari McCoy, best known as DJ Antsman.

Speaking to THE STAR, DJ Antsman expressed that a track that would garner 5,000 views on a digital platform like YouTube would amass double the number with its inclusion on a mixtape.

"Mixtapes remain a fundamental medium for music to get out there, and once it has picked up good rotation, it is likely to help artistes or somebody who nuh buss to reach a wide audience," DJ Antsman said. "On the DJ's part, for me personally, it has a role in getting the name in different circles, and there are many persons who may not particularly listen to mixtapes but are idle now and find themselves seeking entertainment and may not know the DJs. But then boom, the DJs end up with a new fan."

DJ Antsman also said the mixtape acts as a standard vehicle for parties in the quarantine setting.

The disc jockey was able to attract 10,000 views in one week for his Quarantout Mixtape, which featured the chart-topping tracks creatively compiled with DJ Antsman's remix-making skills at the fore.

"I have used mixtapes to engage my 30,000 followers on Instagram, and from the numbers on SoundCloud and Audiomack where the Quarantout Mixtape was promoted, it's doing well - it is doing better than No Sidelines Volume 3, the mixtape I released prior to this."

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DJ Heavy D of Chromatic Sound said that disc jockeys and recording artistes who never made a mixtape "are now taking the opportunity to make one ... it's the next best tool for promotion".

He said, "Navigating 2020 has transformed from securing bookings to keeping relevancy up in the closed space that has been imposed by quarantine, curfews and lockdowns. Not everybody is going to get booked for an online event, (so) at the start, I realised a flood of mixtapes then a lull."

The DJ, whose rise in popularity is owed to a series of Vybz Kartel-themed compilations titled Best of Addi: The Mixtape, said that he usually waits until there are little to no mixtapes circulating to release one.

He is celebrating 3.3 million streams on SoundCloud and has since this week issued the Care Package Mixtape.

"I don't believe in flooding the market with mixtapes and even now, I consider that mixtapes were what people paid attention to, then got me the bookings. But of course, there are no bookings to take at this time ... it may become a waste," Heavy D said.

Adding to that he explained, "The frequency and creative process of making a mixtape also depends on the music on the streets. While I have done mixtapes like Special Delivery which features throwback music, I have to feel there are enough songs out there to compile something that will have an impact on listeners."

Likewise, mixtapes can develop from partnerships between recording artistes and party promoters.

"I'd recommend any DJ, artiste or event, to put out mixtapes to show that creativity still exists. It will help them to remain in the eyes of the people who, being at home, are not able to engage and experience the music in public spaces," he said.