Are Mixtapes Ruining Hip Hop?

Like before mixtapes were good promo but now it doesnt help create a buzz like it used to. Now rappers who put out mad mixtapes are known as mixtape rappers and dont sell. You look at all the artists that are emerging as stars now, they didnt have 10 mixtapes they had maybe one and they were either featured artists on a track or they just came out of nowhere. While people like Saigon and Papoose keep putting out all this quality free music why the hell are you gonna buy it. What do yall think

Sup Mizz

I think the problem isn't with the mixtapes, but it's with the own artist. Me as a rapper, I don't like to spend my lyrical gems and beats for free without making a coin of it... don't get me wrong I'm in Hip Hop for love first, but what's wrong about making some paper outta your talent? I just don't confuse the focus (which is love and fun) but taking a lil' money out of it would be all good. So artists like Papoose keep on spending good material for free, and when it's time to drop the album, they won't be any better then all his ish dropped on mixtapes...

For example, good part of hip hop community thinks that Joe Budden's Mood Muzik 2 is his best work to date and it is a MIXTAPE. (I feel sorry for him).

But what you said is true, today mixtapes ain't a good bet for those who wanna make some money out of rap. But it definitely not ruining it...

People are more like playing around and joking with mixtapes nowadays... doing crazy mashups and ****
and that's why I love mixtapes that much... the possibility to figure out what it would be like if some artists worked together (the frank sinatra & biggie mix was crazy... 9th wonder Nas' Soulmatic also)...

Peace brother

i think most mix tapes are bad because these days they use mixtapes as communication beef they beef thrwe mixtapes now and that not g0od

I don't see anything wrong with mixtapes....

Obviously the ones who stay on mixtapes can't make it pass that on their own. We aren't to blame, they are....if they want to surpass the mixes and get on their own....they would need to do it. I mean they might have some good stuff.....but must not be that good to get off the mixes..

actually i think that it is keeping da raw feeling that u are supose to get because on mixtapes it is free styling and it raw and the lyrics be banging

Corporate music labels are ruining hip hop. The reason why rappers like Pap and Saigon aren't able to flourish commercially is because they would be forced to dumb down their lyrics to appeal to the commercial masses. Personally, I think that mixtapes are the heart and soul of hip hop and are the only vehicle for most artisits to release quality music without any restrictions.