Mix-taping is essentially a social activity. Sure, I've made endless mixes for myself to suit my own moods, but the real art of the mix involves intent, a careful choice of tracks and ordering (with inherent reasons for each), and an audience that is not oneself. Without this sense of logic and other-ness, it's just a playlist.

Before I got into mix-taping, I was really into compilations and soundtracks, which, technically, ARE mix tapes. What I love about mixes is that people usually choose their favorites, the best, essential tracks, the cream of the crop, rarely the throwaways and the fillers, and try to fit in those great tracks with other great tracks. The hardest thing to achieve, though, is flow. It's how you make those tracks sit well with each other and meld into each other as if they were born to be heard in *that* order. That's where one's mixing instinct comes in, and it's something that can't be taught.