Starting with Tyga's 2012 hit "Rack City," DJ Mustard's involvement in rap music has — whether or not we'd like to admit it — played an integral role to the development of rap production in the past two years. It's been years since a producer has created a sound that has rattled rap music on such a mainstream level, but the 24-year-old Roc Nation DJ and producer's dominant beat style single-handedly redefined 2014 hip-hop. While he's had plenty of hits, DJ Mustard has also fallen victim, metaphorically and literally, to some misses. With that being said, Exclaim! has taken the liberties to shed light on someone who may be, at the very least, "Trendiest Producer of the Year."
Read about six of DJ Mustard's biggest ups and downs in 2014 below, and don't forget to visit our 2014 in Lists section to see more of our Year-End coverage.
Six Highs and Lows from DJ Mustard's 2014:
Highs
3. Independent Label
Although technically founded in 2008, following the success of YG and Ty Dolla $ign's music, the L.A. trio launched Pushaz Ink into the forefront of independent labels. Despite their individual major label deals, Pushaz Ink is the only label these three chart-toppers represent on a day-to-day basis.
2. Radio/Club Hits
There wasn't any point of 2014 where you could turn on the radio and not hear a DJ Mustard-produced hit. Whether it was Tinashe's Drake-assisted "2 On," Jeremih's "Don't Tell Em," Kid Ink's "Main Chick," Teeflii's "24 Hours" or Big Sean's "IDFWU," DJ Mustard charted regularly, and often simultaneously.
1. Production Style
DJ Mustard's minimalist G-Funk-styled synths, 808 hand-claps, and 90 bpm up-tempo bass lines dominated 2014. From the radio to the club, DJ Mustard was involved in the biggest hits of the year — as well as serving as executive producer on YG's My Krazy Life, which is up for the title of 'Album Of The Year' by many.
Lows
3. 10 Summers
Released as his Roc Nation debut album, what should've been one of the best albums of the year given DJ Mustard's track record turned out to be one of the biggest flops. Despite being laced with great features, overall the album proved to be mundane, redundant and very forgettable.
2. Bay Area Accusations
DJ Mustard has been accused of "stealing" from the Bay Area without giving where credit it's due, which lead to a physical altercation with Mister F.A.B., as well as the Bay's HBK crew calling Mustard out with Fader. DJ Mustard responded back in a interview with Complex simply saying, "Jump off my d*ck and get you some hit records."
1. Production Value
Given the simplicity of DJ Mustard's production, it's bound to be re-created and carbon-copied. This became most evident with Iggy Azalea's smash hit "Fancy," produced by The Invisible Men and The Arcade. Unless he adds a new layer to his sound, DJ Mustard may become the no-name brand Dijon very soon.
Read about six of DJ Mustard's biggest ups and downs in 2014 below, and don't forget to visit our 2014 in Lists section to see more of our Year-End coverage.
Six Highs and Lows from DJ Mustard's 2014:
Highs
3. Independent Label
Although technically founded in 2008, following the success of YG and Ty Dolla $ign's music, the L.A. trio launched Pushaz Ink into the forefront of independent labels. Despite their individual major label deals, Pushaz Ink is the only label these three chart-toppers represent on a day-to-day basis.
2. Radio/Club Hits
There wasn't any point of 2014 where you could turn on the radio and not hear a DJ Mustard-produced hit. Whether it was Tinashe's Drake-assisted "2 On," Jeremih's "Don't Tell Em," Kid Ink's "Main Chick," Teeflii's "24 Hours" or Big Sean's "IDFWU," DJ Mustard charted regularly, and often simultaneously.
1. Production Style
DJ Mustard's minimalist G-Funk-styled synths, 808 hand-claps, and 90 bpm up-tempo bass lines dominated 2014. From the radio to the club, DJ Mustard was involved in the biggest hits of the year — as well as serving as executive producer on YG's My Krazy Life, which is up for the title of 'Album Of The Year' by many.
Lows
3. 10 Summers
Released as his Roc Nation debut album, what should've been one of the best albums of the year given DJ Mustard's track record turned out to be one of the biggest flops. Despite being laced with great features, overall the album proved to be mundane, redundant and very forgettable.
2. Bay Area Accusations
DJ Mustard has been accused of "stealing" from the Bay Area without giving where credit it's due, which lead to a physical altercation with Mister F.A.B., as well as the Bay's HBK crew calling Mustard out with Fader. DJ Mustard responded back in a interview with Complex simply saying, "Jump off my d*ck and get you some hit records."
1. Production Value
Given the simplicity of DJ Mustard's production, it's bound to be re-created and carbon-copied. This became most evident with Iggy Azalea's smash hit "Fancy," produced by The Invisible Men and The Arcade. Unless he adds a new layer to his sound, DJ Mustard may become the no-name brand Dijon very soon.
