Rick Diamond, Getty Images
As the years pass by, the mixtape has evolved, listeners matured and the rules in the music landscape have changed. On Jan. 16, 2007, lauded mixtape creator DJ Drama was arrested as a result of the Recording Industry Association of America's quest to put an end to the bootlegging of music. His Aphilliate Music Group office was raided, over 50,000 mixtapes were seized in the process and, as a result, the rap game was officially altered in the way fans would receive new music.
These days, Drama is a free man and, in true hip-hop fashion, rules have been bent in the way people are still receiving free music from some very resourceful DJs. Although the "tapes" haven't been actual tapes in almost two decades, collections of songs still get passed around and debated through a tangible product or by download. Mixtapes still play a major role in the development of aspiring artists -- just ask Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz, who's enjoyed a second chance in the spotlight due to the flurry of tapes he's issued over the past few years.
Five years after the RIAA came crashing into Drama's building, The BoomBox compiled a timeline of the mixtapes' growth and influence, from its humble beginnings to its high-profile standing in hip-hop today. While not every artist or DJs role is documented, their overall contribution to the mixtape culture is forever recognized.
Watch 'Learn About the History of Rap'
Loveyou
Replacements' Slim Dunlap Hospitalized After Stroke
Women Guitarist Dead: Christopher Reimer, 26, Dies in His Sleep
Sugarland Lawyers: Indiana State Fair Victims at Least Partially to Blame for Injuries
Adele Flips Off BRIT Awards Bosses After Winning Album of the Year -- Video
Famous Song, Different Singer: 11 Hits That Were Written for Someone Else
16 Years Of Jennifer Love Hewitt's Style
Bret Michaels Sues CBS for 'Humiliation' Caused by Stage Mishap
15 Hilarious President Impressions
Adam Lambert: Addiction Confession -- Potent Quotables
PHOTOS: Let The Fat Tuesday Celebrations Begin
Pete Doherty Has Another Kid, Made Amy Winehouse Paint With Her Own Blood
72-Year-Old Claims To Be World's Shortest Man
Miranda Lambert, Chris Brown Feud Heats Up
WATCH: The Fascinating Story Behind President Jefferson's Secret Bible
Nicole Scherzinger Style File: Star Spends Staggering Sum During UK Shopping Spree
Drew Barrymore's Constantly-Changing Beauty Looks
PHOTOS: Kate Middleton's Got A New Dress -- And Old Shoes
WATCH: Tennessee Woman Face 30-Years In Prison For Giving Drunk Boyfriend The Keys
Teacher Caught Having Sex With Student In School Restroom
Miracle Boy Survives With Heart Halfway Outside Body
Racist YouTube Rant Forces Girls To Leave School, Issue Apologies
American Reporter Killed In Syria
'Mummy I'm a girl': Boy, 4, Has Gender Identity Disorder (PICTURES)
Young Helena Christensen's Style
Highest-Paid Sports Stars Of All Time
WATCH: Cats And Dogs Getting Along
Melissa Rivers Finds Out Jason's Been Trolling The Internet For Sex
PHOTOS: Kate's Embarrassing Dress Mistake
Is THIS What The iPad 3 Will Look Like?
PHOTOS: Taylor Gets Vogue-ified
Frozen Peas: Not Just For Black Eyes And Bruises
Nicholle Coppler's Remains Found In Accused Rapist's Home
Bethenny Frankel Reveals On 'Today Show' She Had A Miscarriage
1 Comment