Mustard on Drake, Kendrick Lamar and the world-stopping ‘Not Like Us’
As I delve into the captivating tale of Mike “Mustard” Miller, a man who has masterfully crafted the rhythm and soul of contemporary music, I find myself profoundly inspired by his journey. Born and raised in the vibrant neighborhoods of Los Angeles, Mustard’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination.
Indeed, Mustard did catch sight of the viral video featuring an Amazon delivery driver grooving to Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” in the street. Moreover, he also noticed the child in the blue shirt enthusiastically dancing at a Kamala Harris rally, as seen in a recent clip.
However, what truly resonated deeply for the hip-hop producer, who played a crucial role in Lamar’s successful rap clash against Drake with “Not Like Us”, was witnessing his 9-year-old daughter dancing to the same track during a performance at dance camp recently.
He was leading the way, and I exclaimed something along the lines of, “You all are dancing to a diss track about Drake – at school,” he reminisces with a chuckle. That was the most hilarious moment, he adds.
The upbeat yet raw track “Not Like Us,” featuring a deceptively captivating horn melody, has been unavoidable since its release on a Saturday afternoon in May. If you heard it that night, you can probably recall where you were. It swiftly climbed to the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and has since accumulated over a billion streams on Spotify and YouTube. The song has sparked discussions about race in publications such as the Atlantic and the New Yorker, and even inspired at least one brass band to use it as a critique of former President Donald Trump.
× During a time when cultural specialization seems to be on the rise, making an impact has become more challenging than ever. However, the song “Not Like Us” managed to achieve a near ubiquitous presence this summer, which could explain why it’s being tipped as a strong contender for both Record and Song of the Year awards as Grammy season draws near.
Nevertheless, the song’s extraordinary popularity is another significant achievement added to Mustard’s collection, a 34-year-old artist hailing from South Los Angeles. For over a decade, he has reigned supreme in West Coast rap, primarily due to his innovative, rhythmic beats that have graced hits such as “Rack City” by Tyga, “I’m Different” by 2 Chainz, “Big Bank,” “Show Me” by Kid Ink and Chris Brown, and “Ballin'” featuring Roddy Ricch. Besides these hip-hop tracks, he has also created lush and dreamy R&B tunes like Tinashe’s “2 On,” Rihanna’s “Needed Me,” and Ella Mai’s “Boo’d Up.” The latter was recognized as a song of the year nominee at the Grammys in 2019 and won the award for best R&B song.
According to Mai, who is under Mustard’s record label, 10 Summers, “Mustard’s ability to discern which sounds complement each other and who suits a particular sound is exceptional.” She adds that he has always made the right choices for her.
Recently, artist Dijon McFarlane (better known as Mustard) dropped his fourth solo album titled “Faith of a Mustard Seed”. This album features collaborations with Kirk Franklin, Lil Yachty, Quavo, Vince Staples, Charlie Wilson, Future, Ty Dolla Sign and Young Thug, among others. The record is deeply influenced by family values and nostalgic memories from his childhood, such as the many hours he spent roller-skating at L.A.’s famous World on Wheels. It represents both a heartfelt personal expression and an evolution of his distinctive musical style.
Speaking about the final track on his album, “Pray for Me,” he shares some personal details. This song features him rapping about his upbringing in the church, the loss of two grandparents due to COVID-19, and his father being deported to Jamaica when he was around 6 or 7 years old. Sitting comfortably in a rocking chair at his Burbank recording studio, with his white sneakers resting on the mixing desk, and surrounded by keyboards lining the walls of the control room, he also points out a framed plaque from Billboard celebrating the No. 1 success of “Not Like Us.” Here, he offers a glimpse into his life as the album’s producer who usually doesn’t get to speak much.
“Just because you’re famous don’t mean you don’t have real s— going on,” he adds.
Mustard initially didn’t base his early hits on samples, but several tracks from “Mustard Seed” incorporate snippets of older records. This change, according to the producer, stems from his extensive listening to Dr. Dre and a desire for an upgrade or maturity in his music. He explains, “I wanted it to have a more mature sound.”
In the song “A Song for Mom,” he chooses one of his mother’s favorite tunes, a rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “If This World Were Mine” by Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn. The track “Parking Lot,” which includes Travis Scott, draws inspiration from a ’70s gospel tune by Sweet Spirit. Mustard describes “Parking Lot” as having a pleasant summertime vibe, and it has been played over 60 million times on Spotify. He opted for a more relaxed approach rather than anything intense to avoid competing with the song “Not Like Us.”
At his spectacular Juneteenth concert at Inglewood’s Kia Forum, Lamar showcased a song so potent that he performed it an impressive five times in a row. What made this crowd-pleasing display even more noteworthy was the song’s content, which criticizes Drake for allegations of pedophilia and cultural exploitation.
According to Terrace Martin, a renowned musician and producer who has collaborated with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and numerous other West Coast legends, “I stood near the stage that night, gazing up at him during his performance, and it felt as though everyone was being healed.” Martin explained that even the toughest individuals in the room were shedding tears and embracing each other. This wasn’t about celebrating the downfall of Drake; instead, it was about everyone sharing a joyful moment together in unity.
Martin notes, “The first time he performed it was only the beginning. Each subsequent performance elicited a unique emotional response.”
As a music enthusiast, I never fathomed that the rhythm I crafted for “Not Like Us” would ascend to such heights. The foundation of this beat was built upon a swiftened excerpt from “I Believe to My Soul,” an iconic piece by the late jazz and R&B saxophonist Monk Higgins. It was simply one of numerous tracks I had sent to Lamar, expressing my hope for future collaboration; I recall that he hearted that specific message in our chat, but I had no idea how he utilized the instrumental until “Not Like Us” was released amidst his beef with Drake.
He expressed it as if time had paused, “It felt like the world stood still,” he mentioned. “I was driving on the freeway en route to a baby shower and upon arrival, there was another party at a neighboring house already in full swing.” Following the baby shower, he jetted off to Las Vegas for a DJ engagement. As for playing that particular song during his set that evening, that’s a question I can’t answer directly.
“Hell, yeah!”
When asked about his favorite line from Lamar’s song, Mustard chuckles. ” ‘Whip your behind and conceal the Bible if God is watching,'” he replies. He finds it quite outrageous to say such a thing, doesn’t he?
Back in 2016, Mustard made an appearance on the widely-listened-to “Breakfast Club” radio program, where he stated that he doesn’t wish to have any issues with anyone and clarified that his old friend YG was the sole rapper for whom he would compose a diss track.
He shares today, “I’ve watched the video – it’s quite amusing.” However, he expresses that he doesn’t wish to associate with anything fake. Yet, he adds, “This is Kendrick Lamar, and it’s unlike anything else. This is making history.”
As a huge fan, I can’t help but marvel at Kendrick Lamar, the prodigious talent who hails from Compton and won a Pulitzer for his 2017 album “Damn”. To me, he’s just a genius – always pushing boundaries in ways that leave everyone else in awe. On a personal level, I find myself drawn to his unique style.
As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for hip-hop culture, I found myself quite intrigued by the recent exchange between Mustard and Drake’s fanbase this month. You see, I’ve been in the game long enough to remember when I released my debut album, “Faith of a Mustard Seed,” and it was disheartening to see some folks mock its first-week sales.
He remarks, “Instead of sleeping, they only tweet constantly – tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet.” This is how ‘drizzlam’ nation originated. Initially, it was a joke, but on Twitter, it seemed like I was angry. He chuckles. “Drake would do well to adopt that phrase. I won’t ask him for payment for its use.”
× As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but express my thoughts on the possibility of me collaborating with Drake musically. In my own words, “I don’t envision myself teaming up with that character,” I say. “He strikes me as an enigmatic figure.” Similarly, the peculiar aura surrounding the former president, whose label as ‘unusual’ by Democrats, resonates with the ‘you-gotta-hear-this’ vibe of ‘Not Like Us.’
In simpler terms, Mustard expresses that both Trump and his associates have some unusual situations, drawing a parallel to a line from Lamar’s song about a member of Drake’s crew who faced accusations. Essentially, Mustard is suggesting that Trump is an odd character and not someone we are familiar with.
Before becoming known for coining popular catchphrases, Mustard spent his childhood in South L.A., learning disc jockey skills under his mentor-like uncle, Tyrei Lacy (also recognized as DJ Tee). His debut performance took place at a backyard gathering; his uncle had to leave suddenly, leaving young Dijon to entertain the crowd on his own after claiming he had forgotten something at home.
Up until now, I’m still unsure whether his action was intentional or if he genuinely forgot something at the house, as Mustard points out.
By the age of 12 or 13, Mustard had already started earning money by performing at local events in his neighborhood; by the time he completed Dorsey High School in Baldwin Hills, he had learned to create his own beats and began producing records for artists like YG. At just 21 years old, he achieved his first top 10 hit with “Rack City,” followed by a platinum album as part of YG’s 2014 release “My Krazy Life.”
During the 2010s, particularly towards its latter part, Mustard experimented with Electronic Dance Music (EDM), an adventure he now reflects on with a blend of emotions. “I discovered that the world isn’t always as inviting as one might believe,” he shares. “I’d play these festivals and absolutely rock the crowd, but I was never given a higher spot [on the lineup]. I wouldn’t be DJ Snake or RL Grime because they were…” He pauses, then continues. “I don’t want to say it’s about race, but it did leave me feeling somewhat bewildered.”
As a budding filmmaker, I found myself in need of inspiration for my project, “Faith of a Mustard Seed.” In search of guidance, I turned to music legends Pharrell Williams and Jay-Z. Pharrell, in his wisdom, encouraged me to embrace risks and pointed me towards specific keyboard models that could elevate my production quality. Jay-Z, in a show of confidence, reassured me that I possessed a natural talent for rapping, even as a first-time artist on the track “Pray for Me.” Their words served as a beacon of hope and motivation throughout my creative journey.
“Mustard responds, ‘I’ve got what I needed,’ which is just the push he needed to think, ‘Alright, sounds good, I’m ready to proceed.'”
Despite dealing with challenging periods, Mustard shares that the album mirrors his current optimistic state. As a regular tennis player, he’s been on a weight-loss journey, which he describes as starting during the peak of the pandemic when, weighing over 300 pounds, he experienced panic attacks at home and feared contracting COVID-19. Additionally, filing for divorce from his ex-wife Chanel Thierry in 2022 was a beneficial step for him as a father of four.
“I want to clarify, I’m not trying to cast any aspersions, but when you’re discontented with someone, your children pick up on that. When I was married, I often wasn’t at home, instead, I spent a lot of time in the studio and even slept here. Now, however, I’m usually at home, enjoying swimming and barbecuing, and fortunately, my kids aren’t witnessing constant arguments between me and their mother anymore.”
He’s equally generous towards the Recording Academy, a body that has faced criticism from pioneering Black artists like Drake, Kanye West, Jay-Z, and others, who argue that the organization struggles to comprehend the intricacies of hip-hop and R&B when it comes to awarding Grammys, as they feel their contributions are not fully appreciated.
As a movie enthusiast, I’m expressing my opinion that perhaps it’s not as profound as everyone seems to be suggesting. The real issue, in my view, is that the Grammy voters who understand its depth seem to neglect casting their votes. They’ve made mistakes before, let’s be honest. But it’s not a problem with the academy as a whole. In fact, I felt we were overlooked for ‘My Krazy Life’, but here’s the kicker – I didn’t even cast my vote! Can you imagine me, a participant in this field, failing to vote for my own work?
Is it possible that he has entertained thoughts about competing for one of the prestigious awards with “Not Like Us”, arguably the most bitter song ever nominated for a significant Grammy?
He chuckles, tilting his head back in a relaxed contemplation. “Imagine if we succeed,” he muses. “That would be quite a moment. A significant victory for the Coast.”
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2024-08-21 13:32