Mustard (record producer)#Production style

Dijon McFarlane was born on June 5, 1990 in Los Angeles, California, to Jamaican parents. In a 2013 interview with The Fader magazine, he stated that his father was deported to Jamaica when he was young, though they still kept in contact with each other.{{cite web |url=https://www.thefader.com/2013/11/20/interview-dj-mustard |title=Interview: DJ Mustard LA's club king makes friends in New York. |last=Turner |first=Nathaneal |date=November 20, 2013 |publisher=The Fader magazine |access-date= May 20, 2019 |quote=He was like my father figure, because my dad got deported when I was young. My dad lives in Jamaica now. I talk to him sometimes.}}

When McFarlane was 11 years old, his uncle, Tyrei Lacy, who was both a parental figure and a DJ, let him DJ at a family party. Soon thereafter he was spinning records at parties as a student at Dorsey High.{{cite web |last=Brown |first=August |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/10/22/dj-mustard-sets-the-beat-for-mainstream-hip-hop-and-rb/ |title=DJ Mustard sets the beat for mainstream hip-hop and R&B |website=Chicago Tribune |date=Oct 22, 2014 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |quote=Mustard is a born DJ, in the literal sense. He got his start spinning records at parties as a student at Dorsey High.}} He began DJing more as he got older, and became much more skilled at the craft which led to him DJing at the local clubs. McFarlane was baptized when he was 12 and became interested in Christianity.

He acquired his DJ name from the condiment Dijon mustard because his first name is also Dijon.

File:DJ Mustard Concert With Lasers.jpeg

In an interview with Sway's Universe, DJ Mustard described his business relationship with West coast rapper YG. Since YG's second mixtape The Real 4Fingaz,{{cite web|title=YG – The Real 4Fingaz|url=http://www.datpiff.com/YG-The-Real-4Fingaz-mixtape.118174.html|publisher=datpiff|access-date=July 28, 2013|archive-date=March 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316084810/http://www.datpiff.com/YG-The-Real-4Fingaz-mixtape.118174.html|url-status=dead}} he has produced on all of his mixtapes. "I started making beats for YG; he was one [of] the first people to do my beats. I started with him, so for us to do a mixtape was easy. We created this dancing sound. I feel like we owed it to the streets and we're not stopping." DJ Mustard has produced singles by YG such as "Bitches Ain't Shit" featuring rappers Tyga and Nipsey Hussle, and "You Broke" also featuring Nipsey Hussle. During 2010, DJ Mustard released an unofficial compilation album with various artists through the label Thump Records that was called Let's Jerk named after the street dance called jerking in Los Angeles.{{cite web|title=Lets Jerk album|url=https://www.amazon.com/DJ-Mustard-Presents-Lets-Jerk/dp/B003SS5M86|publisher=Amazon}}

During late 2011, DJ Mustard produced Tyga's third single "Rack City" from his second album Careless World: Rise of the Last King. The song was released in December 2011, and peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and number 2 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.{{cite web|title=Tyga – Chart History|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=tyga|chart=Hot 100}}|publisher=Billboard}} It was also certified 2× platinum by the RIAA.{{cite web|title=Gold & Platinum – Tyga|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Tyga&format=&go=Search&perPage=50|publisher=RIAA}} According to Mustard, the beat for the song was originally for YG. YG told Mustard that Tyga needed a beat, so he sent the beat to Tyga. DJ Mustard's career was given a huge blast from the song. He also produced two tracks from Tyga's mixtape Well Done 3, the third installment of his Well Done series and his song "Hit Em Up" featuring rapper Jadakiss from his third album Hotel California, released on April 9, 2013.

During 2012, DJ Mustard produced Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz's song "I'm Different" that was released as the third single from his major debut album Based on a T.R.U. Story on November 8. The song charted at number 6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart{{cite web|title=2 Chainz – Chart History|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=2 chainz|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}}|publisher=Billboard}} and was certified gold by the RIAA, selling over 500,000 copies digitally.{{cite web|title=Gold and Platinum – 2 Chainz |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%222+Chainz%22 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201143543/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%222+Chainz%22 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |publisher=RIAA }} Also later in 2012, DJ Mustard produced the song R.I.P. by Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy that was released as the lead single from his twelfth mixtape It's Tha World on February 5, 2013. The song features 2 Chainz, making this the second time he has rapped over Mustard's beats since "I'm Different". The song charted at number 17 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.{{cite web|title=Young Jeezy – Chart History|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=young jeezy|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}}|publisher=Billboard}} Mustard has also produced tracks on rapper Bow Wow's seventh album Underrated such as "We In Da Club" which was released as the second single from that album. However, as stated by Bow Wow in 2012, the album has been indefinitely been delayed and he is no longer focusing on it.{{cite web|last=Bombay|first=Brandon|title=Bow Wow Shelves "Underrated"|date=August 16, 2012|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/bow-wow-shelves-underrated-news.2654.html|publisher=hotnewhiphop}}

On June 3, 2013, DJ Mustard released his official debut mixtape Ketchup. The mixtape contained guest appearances from artists such as Lil Snupe, YG, Ty$, Joe Moses, Kid Ink, Nipsey Hussle, Casey Veggies, Ca$h Out, Clyde Carson, Dorrough, Dom Kennedy, and Lil Jon.{{cite web|last=Zeichner|first=Naomi|title=DJ Mustard's Ketchup Mixtape|url=http://www.thefader.com/2013/06/06/download-dj-mustards-ketchup-mixtape/|publisher=TheFader}} Later in June, Mustard produced Atlanta rapper B.o.B's song HeadBand featuring 2 Chainz, which was released as the second single from his third studio album Underground Luxury. The song has charted at number 21 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.{{cite web|title=B.o.B – Chart History|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/275499/bob/chart?f=367|publisher=Billboard}} On September 17, DJ Mustard produced West coast rapper Kid Ink's song "Show Me" featuring Chris Brown, released as the first single from his upcoming second studio album My Own Lane. The single peaked at number 1 on the U.S. Rhythmic Billboard Chart. On September 17, 2013, DJ Mustard produced YG's mega-anthem "My Nigga" for his debut studio album "My Krazy Life", which peaked at number 5 on the U.S. Rhythmic Billboard chart.

On November 18, 2013, DJ Mustard announced that he had signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation as an artist, and revealed plans to release his own studio album.{{cite web |last=Ju |first=Shirley |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.26308/title.dj-mustard-signs-with-roc-nation-as-an-artist |title=DJ Mustard Signs With Roc Nation As An Artist | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=November 18, 2013 |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125031944/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.26308/title.dj-mustard-signs-with-roc-nation-as-an-artist |archive-date=January 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }} On December 18, 2013, he was named the runner-up for producer of the year by HipHopDX.{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/editorials/id.2241/title.the-2013-hiphopdx-year-end-awards |title=The 2013 HipHopDX Year End Awards | Discussing Lil' Wayne, Drake & Many More Hip Hop Artists |publisher=HipHop DX |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122060241/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/editorials/id.2241/title.the-2013-hiphopdx-year-end-awards |archive-date=January 22, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

On March 11, 2014, DJ Mustard produced Kid Ink's "Main Chick" also featuring Chris Brown for his second studio album My Own Lane. It peaked at number 3 on the U.S. Rhythmic Billboard chart.

In 2016, worked with Trea Fittz on his debut album, released October 11. He released "Don't Hurt Me" with Jeremih and Nicki Minaj on his album Cold Summer.{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dj-mustard-shares-cold-summer-tracklist-with-yg-young-thug-meek-mill-and-more-news.24007.html? |title=DJ Mustard boasts album with a lot of features and includes long-time collaborators YG and Ty Dolla $ign |last=Walker |first=Angus |date=September 9, 2016 |website=Hotnewhiphop |access-date=September 10, 2016}} The album included long-time collaborators YG and Ty Dolla Sign. The album also included Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, K Camp, and more. It was released on September 30, 2016.

On June 28, 2019, Mustard's third album, Perfect Ten was released, and spawned the Grammy-nominated single, "Ballin'.

In February 2023, Mustard was announced as part of the voice cast in the animated sports comedy film Sneaks.{{cite web|last=MacCary|first=Julia|title=Anthony Mackie, Chloe Bailey and Martin Lawrence Join Cast of Animated Film 'Sneaks' (EXCLUSIVE)|date=February 8, 2023|website=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/anthony-mackie-martin-lawrence-sneaks-cast-laurence-fishburne-1235514779/|accessdate=October 17, 2024}}

In 2024, he contributed to the production of the Kendrick Lamar diss track, "Not Like Us", released as part of the Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-05 |title=Kendrick Lamar Doesn't Wait for Drake Response, Drops Another New Diss Song "Not Like Us" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-doesnt-wait-for-drake-response-drops-another-new-diss-song-not-like-us-listen/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} He also co-produced two tracks on Lamar's 2024 album GNX, those being "hey now" and "TV Off". Lamar's screaming of Mustard's name on "TV Off" became an internet meme.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-24 |title=Kendrick Lamar Screaming "Mustard!" |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/kendrick-lamar-screaming-mustard |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Know Your Meme |language=en}} He appeared during Lamar's performance of the song at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show.{{Clear|}}

On April 1, 2025, Mustard was officially announced as the opening act of the Kendrick Lamar and SZA co-headlining Grand National Tour, with his own set list.https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/mustard-kendrick-lamar-sza-grand-national-tour-1235937102/

{{Infobox music genre

| name = Ratchet music

| stylistic_origins = {{hlist|Hyphy|trap}}

| cultural_origins = 2010s, United States

| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|digital audio workstation}}

| fusiongenres = RnBass

}}

Mustard's production style has been described as an up-tempo, radio-friendly, club-oriented, catchy hip hop style which he calls "ratchet music". Mustard's body of work has been recognized by critics as sonically cohesive and recognizable in that many of his tracks have recurring, identifiable motifs.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/5908369/dj-mustard-how-the-producers-ratchet-revolution-became-the-sound|title=DJ Mustard: How the Producer's 'Ratchet' Revolution Became the Sound of 2014|magazine=Billboard|date=February 14, 2014|access-date=March 9, 2015}} Most apparent is his producer signature "Mustard on that beat, ho!" which prefaces the beat drop in many of his songs. This signature is often strategically placed to span the third and fourth counts of the measure preceding the song's drop to make it more catchy. On a compositional level, however, Mustard's motifs also include: an ambient chant of "Hey!" on the off-beats in the background of his music; the emphasized, minimalist bass synth opening to many songs (most notably on "My Nigga", "R.I.P.", and "Rack City"),{{cite web|url=http://wuog.org/2014/sxsw-dj-mustard-the-new-west-coast/|title=SXSW: DJ Mustard & The New West Coast – WUOG 90.5 FM|access-date=March 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020052226/http://wuog.org/2014/sxsw-dj-mustard-the-new-west-coast/|archive-date=October 20, 2014|url-status=dead}} 808 kicks{{cite web | url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/02/04/ratchet-king-dj-mustard-makes-moves-on-the-hot-100 | title=Ratchet king DJ Mustard makes moves on the Hot 100 | publisher=Chicago Reader | date=February 4, 2014 | access-date=May 9, 2014 | author=Miles Raymer}}{{cite web | url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2012/10/07/qa-dj-mustard-talks-l-a-s-rachet-sound-upcoming-mustard-beat-mixtape/ | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140510032542/http://www.ballerstatus.com/2012/10/07/qa-dj-mustard-talks-l-a-s-rachet-sound-upcoming-mustard-beat-mixtape/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 10, 2014 | title=Q&A: DJ Mustard Talks L.A.'s Rachet Sound & Upcoming 'Mustard On The Beat' Mixtape | publisher=Ballerstatus | date=October 7, 2012 | access-date=May 9, 2014 | author=Johnell Smalls }}{{cite web | url=http://radio.com/2014/05/01/the-music-of-south-central-la-yg-dj-mustard-bompton/ | title=The Music of South Central L.A. Plays the Same, From Death Row to Bompton | publisher=Radio | date=May 1, 2014 | access-date=May 9, 2014}} and the use of crisp hand-claps and snap-snares.{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1681310/dj-mustard-down-on-me-feat-ty-dolla-ign-2-chainz/mp3s/|title=DJ Mustard – "Down On Me" (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 2 Chainz)|work=Stereogum|date=May 13, 2014|access-date=March 9, 2015}}

Mustard uses the music production software Reason, first using 5, 6 and currently using 6.5. In an interview with The Fader magazine he stated, "With this ratchet music, I'm trying to create my own sound. I want to make this to where it can't leave, this is something that everybody's gonna get used to. Like how everybody got used to Lil Jon or Luke. I don't want it to be something that comes and goes, I want it to be something that's here forever like a real culture."

As a result of the recognizably and commonality between many of Mustard's chart-topping singles, a number of artists who employ production similar to DJ Mustard's have been criticized for lack of originality and plagiarism. In a July 2014 interview with Tim Westwood, the rapper YG, whose album My Krazy Life was mostly produced by Mustard, stated that Iggy Azalea's song "Fancy" 'jocked' Mustard's style.{{Cite web |title=YG Says Producers Are "Jocking" DJ Mustard, Points To Iggy Azalea's "Fancy" |work=HipHopDX |date=6 July 2014 |access-date=17 April 2023 |url= https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.29610/title.yg-says-producers-are-jocking-dj-mustard-points-to-iggy-azaleas-fancy |quote=“And DJ Mustard, that nigga producers is they jocking/ ‘Fancy,’ don’t it sound like he produced that shit?” }}

Like many of Mustard's songs, the song includes a minimalist G-funk style synth and samples a layered "Hey" voice chant. He has been compared to rap producers like Dr Dre and many old rappers from the golden age of hip hop.

Mustard started dating Chanel Thierry in 2009 and they were married on October 10, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.58389/title.dj-mustard-gets-married-to-longtime-girlfriend|title=DJ Mustard Gets Married To Longtime Girlfriend|work=HipHopDX|last=Caldwell|first=Brandon|date=October 11, 2020|access-date=October 15, 2020}} They have two sons and a daughter.{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2019/03/21/chanel-dijon-dj-mustard-host-baby-shower-for-their-third-child/ |title=Chanel Dijon & DJ Mustard Host Baby Shower for Their Third Child |website=The Source|date=March 21, 2019 |access-date=March 21, 2020}} They separated in 2022 and divorced in 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/mustard-files-divorce-chanel-thierry|title=Mustard Has Filed for Divorce From Wife Chanel Thierry |website=complex.com |date=May 3, 2022 |access-date=July 26, 2022}} He filed for sole custody of their children in 2024, after which she accused him of attempting to "destroy [her] name" in an effort to avoid paying child support.{{cite web | url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/joshua-espinoza/chanel-thierry-calls-mustard-out-amid-their-divorce-battle | title=Chanel Thierry Calls Mustard Out Amid Their Divorce Battl | website=Complex Networks }}

In July 2024, Mustard welcomed his fourth child, a daughter, with girlfriend Brittany Stroud.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-15 |title=Mustard, Ex-Wife Chanel Thierry Reach Divorce Settlement |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/mustard-ex-wife-chanel-thierry-164259871.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Trapp |first=Malcolm |title=Mustard Reveals His Newborn Arrived A Day Before 'Faith Of A Mustard Seed' Release |url=https://www.rap-up.com/article/2024/07/26/mustard-reveals-his-newborn-arrived-ahead-of-foams-album |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=Rap-Up}}

{{main|Mustard production discography}}

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• {{Official website|http://djmustardonthebeat.com/}}
• {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0001225951|label=Mustard}}
• {{Discogs artist | artist=DJ+Mustard | name=DJ Mustard}}
• {{MusicBrainz artist | id=0612bcce-e351-40be-b3d7-2bb5e1c23479 | name=Mustard}}

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{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Song}}

{{Roc Nation}}

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Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century African-American musicians

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:African-American record producers

Category:American hip-hop DJs

Category:American hip-hop record producers

Category:American music industry executives

Category:American people of Jamaican descent

Category:Businesspeople from Los Angeles

Category:Grammy Award winners

Category:Interscope Records artists

Category:Musicians from Los Angeles

Category:Record producers from California

Category:Republic Records artists

Category:Roc Nation artists

Category:Trap musicians

Category:Susan Miller Dorsey High School alumni

Category:West Coast hip-hop musicians