Mixtape Museum feat Regan Sommer McCoy
6/11/20261 hr 40 min
For the first-ever live taping of The Almanac of Rap in New York City, Donwill welcomes archivist, researcher, and Mixtape Museum founder Regan Sommer McCoy for a deep dive into the history, culture, and future of mixtapes. Recorded live at Ludlow House in partnership with On Air Presents, this special episode explores how cassette tapes transformed music sharing, why mixtapes became hip-hop's original social media platform, and what we lose when we reduce playlists to algorithms and streaming metrics. Sommer shares the origin story behind the Mixtape Museum, a community-driven archival project dedicated to preserving mixtape culture, cassette history, and the stories behind the music. Sommer breaks down: The evolution of the mixtape; from homemade radio recordings and DJ exclusives to street albums, playlist culture, and modern-day archives. Legendary mixtape figures including DJ Clue, Ron G, DJ Screw, Kid Capri, DJ Drama, Don Cannon, Justo Faison and the Mixtape Awards Preservation, ownership, curation, and the importance of documenting hip-hop history before it disappears. The future of mixtapes in a streaming and AI-driven world 🤳🏾 Got a question, comment or compliment? Leave a message today at 1-877-DONWILL (366-9455) It might just end up in an episode!🎙️ Follow Donwill for fun hip-hop history, cultural commentary, and more. Substack: New Music Tuesdays Instagram/Threads: @donwill Mixcloud: Donwill Website: Donwill.me Follow Regan Sommer McCoy Instagram: dearsommer Web: Sommer.nyc Web: Mixtape Museum Instagram: mixtapemuseum Soundcloud: The Mixtape Museum Follow On Air Presents Instagram: onairpresents Web: Onairpresents.com Event Recap: Photos Created and hosted by two time Webby Award-winning host Donwill, The Almanac of Rap is produced by Okayplayer, a division of AREYA MEDIA Inc. Originally launched in 1999, Okayplayer is the original progressive music site and maintains its position as the premier digital destination for music and culture connoisseurs worldwide. Note: This episode was pre-recorded on March 24, 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
You have one new message. [upbeat music] Translating. Disney and Pixar's Hoppers is now available on Disney+.
Don Will· Host0:09
You could say that again.
Speaker 10:10
Critics are calling it, "Pixar's funniest movie ever," and a wildly entertaining ride. Lizard Potato. It's certified fresh and verified hot.
Don Will· Host0:18
Woo! Now we party.
Travis· Guest0:20
This is incredible!
Don Will· Host0:23
Wow, I am clearing the rest of the day.
Speaker 10:25
Disney and Pixar's Hoppers, now available on Disney+. Rated PG.
Speaker 40:29
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Speaker 51:00
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Speaker 61:27
For, um, Almanac of Rap