During his set (as seen in this video clip), Mustard, who is firmly on Lamar’s side, started playing “Crew Love,” but before the track reached Drake’s verse, Mustard gave a “sike!” before transitioning to Future, Metro Boomin, and Lamar’s “Like That.”
In an interview from earlier this year, Mustard said, “I don’t think I want to make a song with that dude. He’s a strange guy. [Drake fans] don’t go to sleep — all they do is tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet. That’s where ‘the Nation of drizzlam’ came from. I said it in a joking manner, but I guess on Twitter it looked like I was mad [laughs]. Drake should use that phrase. I won’t charge him for it.”
He also said of Lamar at the time, “He’s just a genius. He does the unthinkable every time. And on a human level — just as a normal person — I like his style. […] His whole mystique gives me the same vibes as Prince. Even now [after the success of ‘Not Like Us’], the guy has not posted anything. I told him, ‘I don’t know how you do that sh*t. Me, I’d be like, ‘Yeah, I’m No. 1!””
Thanks to Kendrick Lamar and his inescapable hit “Not Like Us,” the city of Compton is back on the map in a big way. His Kendrick & Friends concert put a ton of the city’s rap talent on display, giving both veteran performers and rising stars a new chance to shine on the national level.
That included Kendrick collaborator and fellow Hub City native YG and his main producer Mustard, but oddly, didn’t include their other fellow citizen, The Game, who didn’t quite join in on the Drake hate train. In fact, some fans think Game even has beef with YG and Mustard. So, what’s going on there?
On August 28, after making some cryptic posts on Instagram Stories, Game called out the other two. But the first batch of posts and the second were unconnected, according to Game, who cleared the air in a later post. “Rooting for somebody & finding out they secretly hate u is so crazy,” he wrote initially. “Secret haters are clutch.. yall make ballin in yo face worth it.” But in another slide, he wrote, “Aye Keenon & Dijon [YG and Mustard’s real names, respectively]… Jayceon [Game’s real name] looking for y’all. Ghetto name havin n****s.” It’s fair that fans connected the two statements, making Mustard and YG out to be the “secret haters,” but in the comments of a post reporting the alleged beef, Jayceon quickly cleared the air.
“@yg & @mustard My n**gas 5L,” he wrote. “Go twist a backwood before you twist that #Bompton.” It’s more likely that his call-out was an invitation to collaborate, which the two have done more than a few times over the years. Game and YG most recently collaborated on their Compton peace walk negotiating a truce between two rival gangs in their shared hometown. So, it seems improbable that Game would be starting beef with YG now.
Mustard and Drake will probably never have a relationship due to his work on “Not Like Us.” In fact, Mustard claims he doesn’t want one. He just dropped a full project, and it sold 18,000 units in a week.
After the numbers hit, Mustard went scorched earth on white supremacy and Drake. Yes, the “Family Matters” emcee got dragged into the chat after the ugly numbers came out on “Faith Of A Mustard Seed.” Mustard attributed his sales, or lack thereof, to Drake, DJ Akademiks, and Gordo. The latter dropped a pretty cool dance album featuring Drake on two records.
“Drake is the Malcolm X of white people [laughing emoji] and @Akademiks make sure you post @GordoSZN first week since drake thought he did a thing with making him drop on the same day as me [laughing emoji],” Mustard posted.
Again, he further claimed, “Album sales are a form of white supremacy.”
But Gordo had some words for Mustard, although they were cloaked in a backhanded nature. “I will not tolerate any dj mustard slander…. That guy is a f*cking legend… made multiple classics.. and had one the most iconic runs ever as a producer… he’s just a strange guy,” he wrote.
I will not tolerate any dj mustard slander…. That guy is a fucking legend… made multiple classics.. and had one the most iconic runs ever as a producer… he’s just a strange guy
”Faith Of A Mustard Seed” marks Mustard’s fourth studio album, featuring collaborations with artists like Kirk Franklin, Lil Yachty, 42 Dugg, and Vince Staples.
Most people make it pretty obvious where they stand in the debate of Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar. Mustard, example, produced Lamar’s chart-topping Drake diss “Not Like Us.” He’s keeping that energy up, too, as he says he has no interest in working with Drake in the future.
In a recent Los Angeles Times interview, Mustard said, “I don’t think I want to make a song with that dude. He’s a strange guy.”
He also spoke about Drake’s fans, saying, “These guys don’t go to sleep — all they do is tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet. That’s where ‘the Nation of drizzlam’ came from. I said it in a joking manner, but I guess on Twitter it looked like I was mad [laughs]. Drake should use that phrase. I won’t charge him for it.”
Mustard has praise for Lamar, of course, saying, “He’s just a genius. He does the unthinkable every time. And on a human level — just as a normal person — I like his style. […] His whole mystique gives me the same vibes as Prince. Even now [after the success of ‘Not Like Us’], the guy has not posted anything. I told him, ‘I don’t know how you do that sh*t. Me, I’d be like, ‘Yeah, I’m No. 1!””
Mustard’s new album, Faith Of A Mustard Seed, is out now and its latest video is “Ghetto” featuring Lil Durk and Young Thug. In the video, the California producer gives a tour of his hometown, Los Angeles, while the Atlanta and Chicago natives offer their own fond perspectives on life in the hood. LA landmarks like Leimert Park’s Vision Theatre and Slauson Super Mall make appearances, along with youth dance teams and lowrider car clubs. It’s a loving look at places that so often get overlooked, and that for natives represent the real LA.
In addition to the usual array of superstar guests, Faith Of A Mustard Seed also features the producer’s own rap debut. Guests on the album include Durk, Thug, 42 Dugg, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, BlueBucksClan, Blxst, Charlie Wilson, Ella Mai, Future, Kirk Franklin, Lil Yachty, Masego, Quavo, Rob49, Roddy Ricch, Schoolboy Q, Travis Scott, Ty Dolla Sign, and Vince Staples. Young Thug’s appearance means a lot, because the Atlanta mainstay has been incarcerated for the past two years as part of a racketeering case that has become one of Fulton County’s long-running criminal trials ever.
You can watch the video for Mustard’s “Ghetto” with Lil Durk and Young Thug above.
Faith Of A Mustard Seed is out now via 10 Summers Records and Interscope. You can find more information here.
DJ Mustard revealed the tracklist for Faith of a Mustard Seed. The producer’s fourth album is set to release on July 26th, just over five years removed from the platinum-selling Perfect Ten. In an interview with XXL, Mustard revealed that the late Nipsey Hussle suggested the album title when they were working on Perfect Ten. He used the title for this album after noticing that the tracks being recorded were more soulful.
The album features some of the biggest names in the rap game. Mustard released “Parking Lot” with Travis Scott as the lead single last month. The ten-minute closing track, “Pray For Me” arrived on July 12 and features two verses from Mustard himself. Mustard previously pledged to never rap on one of his own songs, but thought that this was a good time to finally do so.
DJ Mustard Reveals New Album Tracklist
MUSTARD FAITH OF A MUSTARD SEED
OFFICIAL TRACKLIST
JULY 26TH
Features: Future Travis Scott Young Thug Lil Yachty ScHoolboy Q Vince Staples Roddy Ricch Lil Durk MORE
Elsewhere, the West Coast is well-represented on the Los Angeles producer’s latest effort. “Pressured Up” features Vince Staples and ScHoolboy Q, their first collaboration since 2016’s “Ride Out.” Frequent Mustard collaborator Ty Dolla $ign and legendary R&B/funk/soul extraordinaire Charlie Wilson are on two songs together. “A Song For Mom” also features Maseo, while “Mines” features Future. Roddy Ricch features twice as well, on “Truth Is” and “One Bad Decision,” a duet with Ella Mai. Gospel powerhouse Kirk Franklin opens the album, playing into the faith aspect of the album title. Fans were quick to note that YG and Kendrick Lamar were conspicuously absent from the tracklist. However, there are no listed features on “Track 5,” leading to speculation that one of them will appear there.
Faith of a Mustard Seed is the latest in what has become a banner year for DJ Mustard. He produced the Kendrick Lamar track “Not Like Us,” the final in a series of diss tracks aimed at Drake during their highly publicized battle. Mustard didn’t even know Lamar was going to use the beat until he heard the song on the radio. The track became Mustard’s first #1 single. He also performed at The Pop Out, bringing out some of his greatest collaborators, including the aforementioned YG. And now, he gets to celebrate a new album release in just a few short days.
TeeFlii and Mustard were inseparable during the 2010s. The two Los Angeles artists came up at the same time, and collaborated on multiple songs. Things took a sour turn in 2022, though, and the former friends became enemies. They’ve spent the last couple years keeping their distance, but the pendulum swung back on the evening of July 16. TeeFlii decided to reach out to Mustard via Twitter, and squash the beef once and for all.
The whole exchange stemmed from Mustard’s new single “Pray for Me.” The iconic producer actually spit a verse on the song, and addressed his falling out with TeeFlii in the process. “Instead of arguing on Live I should have prayed with TeeFlii,” he rapped. “I could have gotten straight to the point instead of letting jokes fly.” The regret was palpable, and TeeFlii obviously took notice. The singer got on Twitter after the song’s release and reciprocated the positive energy. “I forgive u bro @mustard,” he wrote. “I know I don’t mind praying with u or for u.” The singer then apologized for the role he played in their 2022 falling out. “I apologize for running to the net wit our issue,” he added. “I didn’t stop to think about our family’s kids none of that so on my part as a brother my fault.”
TeeFlii Responded To Mustard’s Heartfelt New Single
I forgive u bro @mustard u know I don’t mind praying with u or for u I apologize for running to the net wit our issue i didn’t stop to think about our family’s kids none of that so on my part as a brother my fault I pray to God we can get bacc to making history stay blessed
The incident both Mustard and TeeFlii reference happened on Instagram Live. The two artists got into a heated argument about the credit each of them should receive. TeeFlii claimed that their collab single “24 Hours” was Mustard’s first platinum plaque. Mustard, who was already an established hitmaker by the time the 2014 single dropped, grew frustrated. He felt like TeeFlii was trying to take credit for what he’d built. “Are you high, n**ga?! You do know ‘Rack City’ came out way before I even met you, right,” he asserted. “You are not the reason why I’m successful.”
If ever there was a year in which TeeFlii and Mustard would mend fences, it’s 2024. The West Coast is having a moment, thanks to Kendrick Lamar triumphing over Drake in a rap battle. Mustard landed his first number one single by producing the Drake diss “Not Like Us.” The “Pop Up” show, meanwhile, has already been lionized as an iconic moment in hip-hop history. Hopefully the two artists becoming friends again means we will get to hear more TeeFlii and Mustard music in the future.
Since its release, DJs have hard their fun with it. During Kendrick’s The Pop Out — Ken & Friends show backed by Amazon Music, the entire West Coast line danced to Drake’s demise. Now, the public can take a wack at Drake (or rather, an owl) thanks to a new video game.
Inspired by the bold piñata scene within Kendrick’s official visual, Richie Branson, a graphic designer, animator, and game designer (Bleacher Report, Epic Games, Fortnite) created a hilarious web game for hip-hop heads to enjoy in their free time.
“This game is a free love letter to video games and hip-hop,” wrote Branson on the game’s credit page.
Users are tasked with hitting as many animated owls as they can, as a reimagined instrumental of Mustard’s production plays in the background. The modified Pokémon adventure doesn’t have a leaderboard at this time. However, users have begun to screenshot their results to compare with others.
From the streets of Los Angeles to the top of the charts, Mustard has cemented himself as a cornerstone of hip-hop and R&B. Born Dijon McFarlane, Mustard’s rise to fame is a testament to the power of innovation and a deep understanding of the genre’s roots. Emerging in the early 2010s, he brought a fresh, minimalist approach to production that revitalized West Coast hip-hop and influenced the global music scene.
DJ Mustard’s signature sound is instantly recognizable, marked by its infectious basslines, crisp snares, and the iconic “Mustard on the beat, ho!” tag. It’s a sound that captures the essence of L.A.’s vibrant music culture. He mixes the grit and glamour of the city into a sonic experience that is raw and polished. Over the years, he has collaborated with an array of artists. These range from burgeoning talents to established stars, crafting hits that resonate across dance floors and airwaves. His evolution as a producer reflects a keen ability to adapt and innovate while staying true to the foundational elements that first captured our ears. Here, we delve into five essential tracks encapsulating DJ Mustard’s journey.
In 2011, Tyga’s “Rack City” made a considerable impact, signaling a significant change in the hip-hop scene. It also introduces DJ Mustard as a groundbreaking producer. Hailing from the gritty streets of Los Angeles, Mustard’s production style on “Rack City” stood out against the heavily layered beats dominating the charts. The track’s hard-hitting bassline stripped down hip-hop to its pulsating core, reflecting the hustle of LA’s streets.
“Rack City” wasn’t just a hit; it became an anthem that brought the party from LA’s clubs to the global stage. The track reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its simplicity was its brilliance, making it an instant classic that resonated with fans and club-goers. The success of “Rack City” also showcased DJ Mustard’s talent for creating beats that were both innovative and deeply rooted in the West Coast sound. This track not only propelled Tyga into the spotlight but also solidified DJ Mustard as the pioneer of a new era in hip-hop, where less was undeniably more.
2. “Paranoid” By Ty Dolla $ign (Featuring B.o.B) (2013)
“Paranoid” by Ty Dolla $ign and B.o.B was a turning point in Mustard’s career. It showed that he could blend different types of music together seamlessly. This record was about him working with Ty Dolla $ign on something that mixed R&B sensibility with Mustard’s signature minimalistic style. It formed one smooth package from start to finish. What did this sound like? Think clean hi-hats backing a catchy chorus over an unforgettable instrumental.
At the same time though, what did it do for DJ Mustard? Well, it gave him several chart-toppers on Billboard Hot 100 and introduced many people nationwide who otherwise wouldn’t have cared about West Coast anthems. But I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you were ever under the impression that all DJ Mustard can do is make songs for the clubs, then think again. Not only can he create radio-friendly tracks too, but also—this song is that it really shows us how versatile an artist like Dijon McFarlane truly is. “Paranoid” remains such a statement within his discography – it represents so much more than just another banger.
YG’s 2013 track, “My N*gga,” is the perfect example of his ability to produce street bangers that hit hard. The song features Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan and showcases the unpolished intensity often found in Mustard’s beats. A throbbing bass line and sharp claps form a stripped-down yet infectious backdrop for boastful verses from the guest emcees.
Further, the single shot up the charts. It ultimately peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned heavy club rotation. But “My N*gga” was more than just a successful record; it was a cultural moment that embodied the spirit of West Coast rap. The triumph of this song only established DJ Mustard as a hitmaker capable of channeling street energy into chart-toppers. This track served as an important milestone in his career. It represented another step towards building a recognizable sound for modern-day Southern California hip-hop with YG at its forefront. Regarding discography alone, “My N*gga” is one of DJ Mustard’s most impactful songs simply because it shows how less can become more when connecting deeply with listeners’ hearts.
4. “2 On” By Tinashe (Featuring ScHoolboy Q) (2014)
In 2014, DJ Mustard showed his wide-ranging skills and ability to connect different styles by producing Tinashe’s breakout single “2 On.” The song mixed the mellow, seductive qualities of R&B with the high-energy energy of hip-hop. It was a combination that was fresh as well as universally likable. As for the beat itself, it’s classic Mustard: a stripped-down groove built from a deep bass line, snapping snares, and a sing-song hook. Tinashe glides through the track with sultry ease while ScHoolboy Q adds some street-level grit to his guest verse, making for a smooth and savvy record.
“2 On” quickly became an anthem for the summer. It peaked at No. 24 on the Hot 100 and was inescapable on radio and in clubs. But the song also proved that DJ Mustard could cook up hits that lived outside of genre boundaries. He’d become just as much of an asset to R&B singers as he had been to rappers. It’s essential because it showcased his ability to make crossover records. This also emphasizes his status as someone who could easily conquer charts and dance floors. More importantly, though, this track further cemented his reputation as a hit-maker who refuses to color inside of genre lines. DJ Mustard only knows how to create music that is both forward-thinking and commercially successful.
A masterclass in DJ Mustard’s star-making signature style mixed with big-name features, “Post to Be” is the 2014 track that shows how it should be done. With Omarion, Chris Brown, and Jhené Aiko on deck, hooks and vocals are guaranteed; but its production truly sets this song apart from other collabs. It wouldn’t be a Mustard beat without bouncy rhythms accompanied by crisp hi-hats – which still manage to hit hard even though they’re not too heavy themselves. This is all underneath a bassline, demanding that no one can stay still while listening, especially when considering how well each artist plays off one another throughout each verse. Omarion delivers those suave lines only he can pull off so effortlessly, followed by some charismatic bars courtesy of Chris Brown himself before closing things out strong, thanks largely partly to Jhene Aiko’s unforgettable line.
All these elements came together perfectly enough to make “Post To Be” No. 13 on the Billboard Top 100 Chart. This made it both a commercial smash success and a club banger favorite for many years. People are still playing this song every chance they get at parties or just driving around town, blasting their radios with windows rolled down wide open, singing along word-for-word.
Following two months of dominating streaming platforms, Kendrick Lamar finally unveiled the music video for “Not Like Us,” on the 4th of July, no less. Let’s just say it’s a victory lap across the board, especially considering that some of the symbolism and shots aimed to debunk some of Drake’s major talking points across the beef. Nonetheless, the visuals of “Not Like Us” will undoubtedly extend its lifespan throughout the summer.
Directed by Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar, the music video comes on the heels of the Juneteenth concert at the Kia Forum where practically every Los Angeles rapper joined forces on stage for a moment of unity. The music video is another moment that exemplifies this effort. Plus, some of the symbolism across the visual will have you doubling back to catch some of the cryptic messages that you didn’t pick up on the first time around.
We were blessed enough to receive four new songs from Kendrick Lamar in the span of a few days. However, it seems like we might be fortunate enough to get even more music in the near future. Kicking off the “Not Like Us” video is a snippet of new music that we hope will be released soon.
“Beat Your Ass & Hide The Bible If God Watchin’”
Via YouTube
Just a slick interpretation of the bar.
Tommy The Clown & The General Choreography
Via YouTube
Tommy The Clown’s appearance embodied Los Angeles in a major way. A staple in West Coast culture as a whole, Tommy’s segment at the Pop Out was undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights. To have him basically help lead the music video felt like a nod to Los Angeles’ history, both in music and dance. Plus, the choreography and shots in that final verse added an lighthearted touch to such a vicious song.
Kendrick Playing Hop-Scotch
Via YouTube
Considering the nature of the song and the allegations Kendrick made against Drake, the hop-scotch scene that aligns with the “A-Minor” line certainly isn’t a coincidence by any stretch.
Push Ups
Via YouTube
Between the viral clip of Kendrick doing push-ups in Compton randomly with soul music playing in the background and Drake’s “Push Ups,” Kendrick has really been driving home the importance of calisthenic exercises. Plus, on “meet the grahams,” Kendrick also tells Adonis to “do some push-ups” instead of using Ozempic. Seems like the DAMN. rapper is trying to lead by example. However, considering the amount of Easter eggs we’re still uncovering from the beef two months later, this particular image could be referencing this TikTok that Drake did with a young fan last year. That’s just a guess.
Kendrick Lamar and Mustard bust a move in front of Compton staple, the legendary Tam’s Burger.
Demar Derozan Makes A Cameo
Via YouTube
The former Raptors star also makes a cameo in the music video after joining Kendrick Lamar on stage at the Pop-Out. Clearly, his Compton pride takes center stage on this one but I would imagine that Raps fans are feeling a bit betrayed today.
Black Hippy reunites along with the Top Dawg Entertainment executives. Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and ScHoolboy Q appeared on stage with Kendrick during the Pop Out concert in June.
JULY 26TH
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