Two well known mixtape producers have been raided in Atlanta by police accompanied by RIAA jacketed quasi-agents. The agents confiscated boxes of CDs, production equipment and cars from the location, and scored a lead story on local news for themselves where they were quick to remind the public that raids on pirate mixtape producers often yield drug and gun arrests in addition to stopping piracy, just not this raid.

DJ produced mixtapes are a strange animal. Record companies often welcome and profit from the hype generated by mixtapes for upcoming artists, but are bothered by the competition mixtapes can provide once an artist is well established. Wikipedia explains, "The mixtape format is increasingly popular as a way of generating hype for hip hop artists. [...] Hip hop mixtapes are usually sold on the street or through independent record dealers or mail order, mainly relying on word of mouth to increase the artist's street credibility. An unsigned artist might release several mixtapes to generate buzz, leading to interest from record labels, while a signed artist may release a mixtape to promote a future studio album."

The two arrested suspects, DJ Drama and Don Canon have yet to be officially charged, but it looks like their successful production house is out of commission. Drama and Canon claim to be responsible for breakaway success by Hip-Hop artists such as T.I.

You can watch the (heavily biased and misleading) news footage from Atlanta's Fox 5 here. If you're looking for an informed look at the balance between piracy and promotion that exists in the mixtape culture, the documentary Mixtape, Inc. is worth the watch.

[via Nah Right]