Hit-maker DJ Mustard, 24, gives his gut reaction to this summer’s hits, from Sam Smith (more, please) to Iggy Azalea (not so much).
If any producer has his finger on the pulse of America it's DJ Mustard. The 24-year-old L.A.-native and "ratchet" pioneer has been a fixture of the Hot 100 in 2014, producing hits for everyone from YG and Ty Dolla Sign to Jennifer Lopez and Tinashe. Even songs that don't bear his signature sonic stamp ("Mustard on the beat, hoe!") are starting to reflect his influence (see Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX's smash "Fancy").
With the end of summer approaching (*sigh*), we played Mustard seven of the season's biggest definitive bangers — from "Fancy" to "Rude" — and had him give us his candid opinion. This was the result.
David J. Bertozzi / BuzzFeed.
DJ Snake & Lil Jon - "Turn Down For What?" (prod. by DJ Snake & Lil Jon)
"There's nothing I don't like about this song," Mustard says. "It was a nice crossover for Lil Jon; his voice really makes the song. The saying itself 'Turn down for what' was just really smart."
Columbia Records.
Magic! - "Rude" (prod. by Adam Messinger)
"You know what's crazy? I thought this was Miguel when I first heard this guy's voice," says Mustard. "But the song is dope, though, I like the Caribbean vibe. It's crazy that it hit no. 1."
Sony Music.
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX - "Fancy" (prod. by The Invisible Men and The Arcade)
*Grunts.* "No comment," says Mustard. In a previous interview with Hot 97, he admitted that he thought the song sounded like one of his.
Virgin EMI