Inarguably, DJ Mustard is one of the greatest musical geniuses of our generation. Track after track, the 34-year-old has single-handedly climbed to the pinnacle of the producing game, and he isn’t done yet. We’re revisiting some of the best DJ Mustard beats in this article.
If you didn’t know, Mustard (born Dijon McFarlane) is a Grammy-winning hitmaker hailing from Los Angeles, California. Reportedly, at the tender age of eleven, Mustard first got behind the DJ booth and put his talent to the turntables for a family gathering. Following his early introduction to the art, he would eventually go on to hone his craft in high school and at local clubs. From there, Mustard fell in love with how his fingers moved and mixed the rhythm of each melody.
Throughout his decade-plus career, the celebrated trailblazer has innovatively delivered some of the most timeless bops in R&B/Hip-Hop. From YG and Tyga to the late Nipsey Hussle and Kendrick Lamar, Mustard holds an extensive catalog that fostered a new wave of music. Mustard’s relentless hustle in his young adult years set the table for greatness he currently holds a spot at now.
Known for his distinctive, world-class sound, the California native’s footprint in the culture is forever stamped.
Looking Back on the Best DJ Mustard Beats
B*tches Ain’t Sh*t x YG featuring Tyga & Nipsey Hussle
Produced by Mustard, “B*tches Ain’t Shit” was released in 2011. The uber-successful record is a sample of Dr. Dre’s 1992 hit of the same name from his debut album, The Chronic.
A beautiful merge of gangsta rap with funkadelic, YG’s rendition of the classic–along with lyricists Tyga and Nipsey Hussle–made nationwide noise. So much so, that it solidified YG’s name among the heavyweights.
Despite their previous differences, longtime friends Mustard and YG’s business relationship has spawned a list of timeless collaborations. The fellow Compton native was one of the first artists to use Mustard’s beats, and they ultimately joined forces to launch a label, Pu$haz Ink. The dynamic duo has just about worked together on all of YG’s earlier projects. YG is also responsible for the famous “Mustard on that beat, h*e!” tagline used on all of the producer’s songs.
Rack City x Tyga
Mustard rose to prominence with Tyga’s acclaimed single “Rack City” in late 2011. Although the track was initially for YG, it was soon handed to Tyga whose unique flair instantly made the song an overnight phenomenon.
“Rack City” is from Tyga’s sophomore album, Careless World: Rise of the Last King. After its unveiling, it peaked at #7 on Billboard Hot 100 and became a staple in the Black community’s book of party anthems.
Today, “Rack City” is still recognized as a memorable tune that has yet to lose its hype… all these years later. The video has over 81 million views (to date) on YouTube.
I’m Different x 2 Chainz
In typical Mustard fashion, 2 Chainz’s “I’m Different” was an up-tempo track that made its way onto digital markets in 2012.
It’s the third single from Chainz’s debut album, Based on a T.R.U. Story. “I’m Different” stirred quite a buzz upon its release.
It not only skyrocketed 2 Chainz to the head of the charts but further proved that Mustard was (and is) a creative mastermind at what he does.
Paranoid x Ty Dolla $ign featuring B.o.B
Ty Dolla $ign and B.o.B’s “Paranoid” — another influential song of Mustard’s. It is included in Mustard’s mixtape, Ketchup, released in 2013.
The original version of the song featured artist Joe Moses, but he was eventually replaced by B.o.B once it developed into an official single.
In 2018, it was certified double platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).
My N*gga x YG featuring Young Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan
This one is (without a doubt) one of the best DJ Mustard beats. Alternately called “My Hitta,” the lead single (from YG’s My Krazy Life) debuted in 2013.
Rappers Young Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan accompanied YG on the track, with elements of Lil’ Wayne’s “The Sky Is the Limit” and C-Murder’s “Down for My N*ggaz.”
Deemed Complex and XXL’s ‘Best Songs of 2013,’ “My N*gga” later went quintuple platinum. The music video has since accumulated over 363 million views on YouTube.
2 On x Tinashe featuring SchoolBoy Q
Mustard produced singer Tinashe’s breakout single “2 On,” which featured SchoolBoy Q, alongside songwriters Jon Redwine and DJ Marley Waters.
The song samples Sean Paul’s 2005 hit “We Be Burnin'” and saw much commercial success in mainstream media.
Flaunting an electro-trap vibe, “2 On” was frequently played in clubs after its 2014 drop. The official video now sits at more than 228 million views on YouTube.
Post to Be x Omarion featuring Chris Brown & Jhené Aiko
Mega track “Post to Be” dominated the music market in 2014. The richness of R&B icons Omarion and Chris Brown’s voices paired with Jhené Aiko’s signature melodic sound created the perfect harmony.
Along with co-writing the song with the entertainers and Ty Dolla $ign, Mustard produced the West-Coast-themed production, inspired by reggae duo Chaka Demus & Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote” (1993).
“Post to Be” was soon certified platinum and served as a blueprint for many succeeding dance songs globally.
I Don’t F*ck With You x Big Sean featuring E-40
Mustard teamed up with fellow California producer Mike Free and Kanye West to produce Big Sean’s “I Don’t F*ck With You.” Rap legend E-40 was tapped to feature on the track, the lead single from Sean’s Dark Sky Paradise album (2015).
According to research, songster D.J. Rogers’ “Say You Love Me One More Time” and supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” were sampled during the creation process.
“I Don’t F*ck With You” is still one of Sean’s most-played songs. The video includes a cameo from famed radio personality Big Boy.
Needed Me x Rihanna
Rihanna’s Anti album was esteemed for many reasons, with the song “Needed Me” being one of them.
Mustard (who also has writing credits) produced with the prolific Twice as Nice and Frank Dukes co-producing. Its catchy-yet-mellow beat set it up to be a fan favorite.
In 2017, a year after its release, it was nominated for ‘Best R&B Performance’ at the Grammys. Mustard reportedly pitched numerous songs for Anti, and (fortunately) “Needed Me” made the cut.
Boo’d Up x Ella Mai
After having auditioned for the eleventh season of The X Factor, Mustard discovered the illustrious Ella Mai’s music and singing clips online.
Subsequently, he signed the English songstress to his company, 10 Summers, an entity of Interscope Records.
Mai’s “Boo’d Up” was from her EP, Ready (2017), and peaked at #5 on Billboard Hot 100. Singer-songwriter Joelle James originally wrote the song for herself, but she passed it to Mai. Along with Mai and James, Mustard latterly co-wrote and produced with Larrance Dopson.
“Boo’d Up” commercially debuted in 2018 and won a Grammy for ‘Best R&B Song’ in 2019.
Ballin’ x Mustard featuring Roddy Ricch
Mustard released “Ballin'” with lyricist Roddy Ricch in 2019. It was a part of his junior album, Perfect Ten.
The song grabbed an eleventh spot on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Mustard’s highest to do so. In 2020, it was nominated for ‘Best Rap/Sung Performance’ at the Grammy Awards.
Additionally, Mustard produced another chart-topper, “High Fashion,” from Ricch’s full-length introduction, Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial.
Not Like Us x Kendrick Lamar
Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s infamous 2024 feud birthed one of the best DJ Mustard beats, Lamar’s diss, “Not Like Us.” Mustard, Sounwave, and Sean Momberger produced the viral tune.
“Not Like Us” crushed the charts, gaining a crown spot on Billboard Hot 100. The styling of the song is said to be Hyphy-influenced, a form of Oakland-based crunk music.
It also samples Monk Higgins’ cover of Ray Charles’ “I Believe to My Soul.” “Not Like Us” is now classified as one of the illest diss tracks of the decade.
What would you consider the best DJ Mustard beats? Let us know in the comments below!