From the MixShow Prime vault: our 2014 conversation with DJ King Flow, the 20-year-old mixtape DJ from Orleans, France. He breaks down his creative process, the Mixtape Addict series, and why he believes the album is a dead art.
Give a brief breakdown of your background
I am a 20 years old mixtape DJ, music producer, radio DJ and entrepreneur from Orleans, in France. I've been doing this music stuff since I was 9. My discography includes Juicy J, Big Daddy Kane, MJG, Ace Hood, Krayzie Bone, etc...
Break down your creative process
I usually start by having a major industry to host the tape for me. Then I order a hot cover, look for some brand new music online, get some exclusives records from my connects, then I mix it up, and put it up online. Then I have a marketing and promotion team that works on promoting the mixtape online. I'm always trying to keep 50% of unsigned artists in my mixtapes, it's very important for me and that's what i'm famous for, with my Mixtape Addict series.
Tell how you use mixtapes to break artist
If an artist is really serious about his career and if his music is dope, I usually do a Mixtape Addict Edition CD. DJ Drama got the Gangsta Grillz cd's, I got the Mixtape Addict ones. We focus on putting the best music in the tape, having the best cover, then we put it online, we also press physical copies and promote the tape on the radio.
What do you see as the future for mixtapes.
I personally think that doing albums is a dead art. People don't consume the music like they used to. They need to hear new music on a regular basis or they'll forget about you. That's why mixtapes are important, it keeps the fans hungry for more free music. Some people say that mixtapes are dead... I totally disagree with that, just look at Meek Mill, French Montana, or even 50 Cent and Lil Wayne 10 years ago: they built their brands with mixtapes.
Explain what it means to be a mixtape DJ
Being a mixtape DJ is more than just doing mixtapes. You need to have a plan and a strategy to be better than any other DJ's. You have to know how to break records and help artists to put their names in the streets, and have a strong internet presence.
