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.
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***hes Ain’t S**t” — YG (featuring Tyga and Nipsey Hussle)
Produced by Mustard, “B***hes Ain’t S**t” 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.
“Rack City” — 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 No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a staple in the Black community’s book of party anthems.
“I’m Different” — 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.
“Paranoid” — 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***a” — YG (featuring Young Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan)
Deemed Complex and XXL’s ‘Best Songs of 2013,’ “My N***a” later went quintuple platinum. The music video has since accumulated over 363 million views on YouTube.
“2 On” — 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.
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” — Omarion (featuring Chris Brown and 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.
“I Don’t F**k With You” — 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**k With You.” Rap legend E-40 was tapped to feature on the track, the lead single from Sean’s Dark Sky Paradise album (2015).
“Needed Me” — Rihanna
Rihanna’s Anti album was esteemed for many reasons, with the song “Needed Me” being one of them.
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” — Ella Mai
Ella 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.
“Ballin'” — 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.
“Not Like Us” — 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. “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!
