mixtape

Noun

mixtape (plural mixtapes)

1. 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.
   • I wasn't performing with Pimp and Smoove that much no more, but I had a solo deal with Ruthless Rap and a brand new mixtape that was creating a big buzz.2006, Noire [pseudonym], Thug-A-Licious: An Urban Erotic Tale, New York, N.Y.: One World, Ballantine Books, →ISBN, page 103

   Synonyms:

   party tape

   1. (historical) A selection of songs recorded onto a cassette tape, often combining tracks by multiple artists, whether legally obtained or informally copied.
   2. (broadly) A playlist-style compilation of songs created on any medium (CD, digital file, streaming playlist), often shared among friends or online communities.
   3. (figuratively) A digital compilation of music, whether created by an artist or a fan, that evokes the aesthetic, informality, or curatorial spirit of earlier physical mixtapes.
2. An independently assembled or distributed project, frequently featuring original tracks, freestyles, remixes, or performances over existing beats, historically circulated via cassettes or CDs.
3. A release by an established artist presented as informal, experimental, transitional, or promotional in nature, typically implying greater creative freedom, fewer industry expectations, and lower commercial stakes than an album.
   • See also: unofficial
4. A label-curated compilation designed to showcase multiple artists (especially emerging acts), often serving promotional or scene-building purposes.
   • Welcome to the New Administration was a mixtape released by American rock band Fall Out Boy and featured tracks by fellow artists from their label.