Archives in Review

On the fourth and final episode of this series I will analyze whether traditional cultural heritage institutions are doing their due diligence when is comes to archiving and preserving mixtapes. Moreover, I pose the question of whether traditional GLAM institutions should even be the primary stewards of such materials. This episode explores the restrictions, traditions, and practices archives implement and assess whether it's an appropriate home for born-digital mixtapes.

In part three of this series I will dive into the complicated relationship mixtapes have with copyright laws and its battles with the U.S. Copyright Office to be recognized as a legitimate art form. Highlighting DJ Drama’s arrest as an example of the government’s attempt to erase, censor, and criminalize mixtape culture.

In part 2 of this series I will discuss the cultural significance of "Blog Era" mixtapes and its contributions in ushering in our current streaming era. I will highlight the pros and cons of this music era as well as how it has impacted how archives go about preserving born-digital materials that sits on the cusps of legality.

For part one of this series, I will provide a brief history of the mixtape and how it has evolved over the years from being an analog powerhouse to an digital asset. I will also reflect on how this transformation has impacted its sustainability for archival and preservation efforts.