This site started in 2002 because somebody had to document what was happening.
The hosted mixtape era was the most important distribution revolution in hip-hop history and most of the industry slept on it in real time. mixtapekings.com existed to document it while it was happening, before the culture moved on and the tapes got filed away. That was the mission then. It is still the mission now.
The shop is live at shop.mixtapekings.com.
Thirty-eight titles at launch. Vinyl and CDs. Every one chosen with a reason behind it. The New York Foundation collection covers the records that built the sound: Nas, Wu-Tang, A Tribe Called Quest, Mobb Deep, the Notorious B.I.G, De La Soul, Jay-Z. The Carter Series documents one of the most consistent runs in rap history. Stones Throw Corner holds the underground catalog that J Dilla, Madlib, and MF DOOM built into its own world. DJ Culture covers the tape architects whose names are all over this site. Current Releases connects the archive to right now.
Streaming gave you access. It never gave you ownership. A record on your shelf belongs to you. That argument was always right and we are putting our catalog behind it.
Read the full story at the link below.
From the Crate
"Streaming arrived and promised access. What it delivered was rent. You do not own a Spotify library. The music on it belongs to the artist who made it in a way that a streaming number never does. Your collection is a statement. It always was."
One More Thing
Two pre-orders are live right now.
Scarface's The Diary is getting its reissue on June 19. One of the most important rap albums ever recorded, finally available on wax again. LP and CD both available.
Young Dolph's King of Memphis turns ten this year. The 10th anniversary pressing just dropped today on Royalty Blue and Gold colored vinyl. First time this album has existed on vinyl. Order it now before it is gone.
Experience the culture at mixtapekings.com
— Diony C.