Mustard’s “Hey Now” Beat: Rejected By Stars, Perfect for Kendrick Lamar
DJ Mustard recently shared a surprising backstory about the beat that became Kendrick Lamar’s hit “Hey Now.” According to an interview with People published on January 17, the producer revealed that several high-profile artists passed on the track before it landed in Kendrick’s hands.
“I made the beat around 2019, trying to create a West Coast version of ‘Grindin’.’ That’s why it’s so empty and has weird sounds,” Mustard explained. The first artist to hear it was YG, but he didn’t bite.
Next up was Quavo of Migos, who had a strong reaction: “He’s like, ‘What the hell you want me to do to it? Whisper on the beat?’ So I didn’t force it on him,” Mustard recalled.
Ty Dolla $ign took a shot at the beat and even made a song with it, but Mustard admitted, “I never was all the way there with it.”
Finally, Mustard approached Kendrick Lamar. “I was talking to Kendrick one day, and I said, ‘Man, I’ve got this really weird-ass beat, but I love it.’ He listened and immediately said, ‘Oh yeah, I got it.’”
The result? “Hey Now” not only made Kendrick’s album but climbed to No. 5 on the Billboard Top 10 when released.
Reflecting on the track’s success, Mustard posted to his Instagram Story: “I’m just getting started. #2 and #5!”
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