Muxtape is a website that allowed users to upload playlists of MP3s, based on the idea of a mixtape. It was created by Justin Ouellette in March 2008Barakat, Zena. "Muxtape Speaks: Justin Ouellette on the BPP", NPR, April 16, 2008. Accessed April 29, 2008.. Initial funding of $95,000 for the site was provided by Jakob Lodwick, Justin's ex-Boss from Vimeo.com, and funding was agreed to via a contract written on a napkin.

Ouellette came up with the idea after being a disc jockey at his university's radio station. The site became unexpectedly popular immediately after launching, with 8,685 users registered in its first day and 97,748 in its first month. The site was supported by links to Amazon.comVan Buskirk, Eliot. "Interview: Justin Ouellette, The Man Behind Muxtape", Wired, April 28, 2008. Accessed April 29, 2008.. It had a very simple design and could not be searched within the site. Ouellette explains that the important part of a mixtape, which he tried to preserve on his site, is about discovering new music instead of someone finding music they are already familiar with.

Muxtape was one in a long line of websites which permit users to create online playlists, either from user-uploaded tracks or selected from a library curated by the site. Past legal issues involving music sharing sites and programs led many observers to predict that Muxtape would eventually run into legal troubles with the music industry. However, Ouellette stated that Muxtape is different from the likes of Napster: "Its intended purpose is to introduce you to new music that you would then hopefully go and buy." He reported that he has spoken with many record labels who are excited about Muxtape's ability to bring new music to consumers.. Some individuals predicted that if muxtape were to gain significant momentum it would be unlikely to be shut down by legal pressure; it was more likely to have changes forced upon it as it became a legal licensor of the music on the site.

On August 18th, 2008, Muxtape services ceased to be available, and the main page displayed the following message: "Muxtape will be unavailable for a brief period while we sort out a problem with the RIAA."

On September 25th, 2008, the Muxtape homepage began displaying a long message from the creator stating that the site's format was changing to a platform for independent artists to distribute their music.

External links

• Muxtape
• Muxtape in Exclaim! Magazine
• Save Muxtape
• Muxtape Alternatives (Spanish)