In the 80’s we didn’t have iPods or iTunes with the Genius settings. So recording your own mixtapes was necessary back then. So this was the process: buy your TDK cassette. Insert to radio/cassette player. Play favorite radio station. Wait for a hot song. Press record. Song ends. Pause tape. Wait til the next fresh song to come on. Repeat steps til there was no more tape left. Eject and flip tape to side 2. Yes, hours of recording patiently to make a mixtape. It was worth it because then you can pop that mixtape into the Walkman and it was GO!
This new year TDK is launching a special ad campaign, TDK Life on Record Chronicles. A viral video series that pays tribute to the days of cassette tapes and making the mixtape. The series include interviews with The Strokes, Queen’s rapper Nas, and indie rock The Walkmen. The Chronicles is directed and shot by Jonathan Mannion. The full-length film will premiere 1/11/11. For more info: TDK Hi-FI Chronicles
Here is Nas at Silvercup Studios, in his hometown of Queens, NY. Nas reminisces about getting the pushing the record button and making his mixtapes.
“When I spend time recording off the radio. Imma get the good stuff. A lot of the times it would be Kool G. Rap, Ultramagnetic MC’s, the Public Enemy tape…”
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