I have been thinking about Mixtapes for bands for a while now. Hip hop artists make mixtapes all the time. Sometimes it’s all original content, but quite often it’s remixed hits of today. They throw down new verses on their remixes and boom, they have another hype bit of music to promote.

Bands, or rather most non-hip-hop artists don’t operate the same way, but why? Why can’t rock bands or jazz bands do the same? It’s a simple process and I’d argue that the more current and raw it is, the more your fans will eat it up. Check the 3 steps below.

1. Find a number of hit songs that you’re feeling (maybe all recent hits, but doesn’t have to be) and cover them in the most creative way that fits.
2. Put in some new jams that you’re working on and..
3. Release it as a free promo, a gift to fans on your email list, or whatever.

Obviously a major benefit to a mixtape is that your fans will probably know a good number of the songs. Add that to the fact that people LOVE cover songs, and putting out a mixtape is a easy way to get surefire hits.

Lil Wayne has just released a new mixtape and it’s got a ton of remixed hits (check out Gucci, Gucci below). Pitchfork gave the mixtape a favorable review and now he’s got an album’s worth full of material to create new videos for.

You can do this too. You don’t have to make it quite so massive as Lil Wayne. Tailor it to your band and to your audience. It’s simple, straight forward, and your fans will enjoy it….Or not…. you know your fans better than me….But I do know that putting out a mixtape is much better than sitting on your ass and getting stoned. Trust me.

KEEP HUSTLING!

Music Consciousness
Voyno