DJ Muggs joins Ambrosia For Heads on their What’s The Headline podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about his new album with T.F, Don’t Call Me Lucky, the first Hip-Hop sci-fi movie he is making with T.F and director Jason Goldwatch, and the history that made him one of the most influential producers in Hip-Hop. In this exclusive interview, Muggs explains the meaning behind the Don’t Call Me Lucky cover art, how he and T.F crafted the album, and what inspired the project’s film component. He also breaks down his Jackin’ For Beats remix for “Clap” featuring Ghostface Killah, his special connection with Wu-Tang Clan, and how he approaches working with artists like Cypress Hill, Roc Marciano, Boldy James, Rome Streetz, Mayhem Lauren, and more. Muggs also reflects on his early years as a DJ, becoming part of 7A3, crafting the Cypress Hill sound, why Cypress Hill wanted to be judged for their music instead of being labeled Latin rappers, and why he ultimately felt more connected to underground Rap than the commercial lane. Other topics include:
- how DJ Muggs finds samples for records
- the top 4 producers he believes flip samples best
- how working with Funkdoobiest changed his approach to producing
- why Ice Cube is one of his favorite MCs of all time
- why he started Soul Assassins
- his long history with MF DOOM, including unreleased music
- why he draws inspiration from David Lynch and Picasso
- and his advice for any MCs just starting out
0:00 Intro 1:22 How DJ Muggs and T.F. Met 2:15 DJ Muggs Is Making the First Hip-Hop Sci-Fi Movie With T.F. and Director Jason Goldwatch 3:50 DJ Muggs Explains the Meaning Behind the Don’t Call Me Lucky Cover Art 4:28 Why They Named the Album Don’t Call Me Lucky 5:10 Inside the Creative Partnership Between DJ Muggs and Jason Goldwatch 6:28 DJ Muggs Gives a Sneak Peek at the Don’t Call Me Lucky Film Storyline 7:10 The Sci-Fi Movies That Influenced DJ Muggs’ Filmmaking 8:50 Why Ice Cube Is One of DJ Muggs’ Favorite MCs of All Time 9:35 Inside Making DJ Muggs’ Jackin’ For Beats Remix for Clap Featuring Ghostface Killah 11:32 DJ Muggs Explains His Special Connection With Wu-Tang Clan 13:30 How DJ Muggs and T.F. Crafted the Don’t Call Me Lucky Album 15:15 DJ Muggs’ Approach to Making Music With Cypress Hill, Roc Marciano and Other Artists 18:20 How Working With Funkdoobiest Changed DJ Muggs’ Approach to Producing 21:20 How DJ Muggs Finds Samples for Records 23:30 DJ Muggs Names His Top 4 Producers Who Flip Samples 24:30 Why DJ Muggs Got Into Making Wines 26:50 How DJ Muggs’ Wine Production Partners Are Like Underground Hip-Hop Producers 28:05 Why DJ Muggs Draws Inspiration From David Lynch and Picasso 28:50 How DJ Muggs Creates the Life He Wants to Live 30:30 DJ Muggs’ Favorite Cars in His Collection 32:00 DJ Muggs on His Years Driving in the Gumball 3000 34:00 DJ Muggs’ Earliest Experiences as a DJ 35:00 How DJ Muggs Became Part of 7A3 36:00 How DJ Muggs Became a Producer 37:00 How DJ Muggs Crafted the Cypress Hill Sound 39:00 Why Cypress Hill Wanted to Be Judged for Their Music Instead of Being Labeled Latin Rappers 40:00 Why DJ Muggs Is More Connected With Underground Rap 42:15 DJ Muggs Breaks Down What Makes Alchemist Great 44:50 Why DJ Muggs Started Soul Assassins 47:12 DJ Muggs Details His Long History With MF DOOM 48:15 DJ Muggs Has Unreleased Music With MF DOOM 48:45 Why DJ Muggs Wanted to Be Like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd 50:20 Working With Roc Marciano, Boldy James, Mayhem Lauren and Rome Streetz on Don’t Call Me Lucky 51:50 How DJ Muggs Knows When an MC Is Going to Be Special 53:50 How DJ Muggs Uplifts the MCs He Works With 56:00 The Importance of Artists Building Fan Bases in Real Life 57:30 DJ Muggs Reveals the First MC He’s Signed in 25 Years 59:20 Why DJ Muggs Enjoys Working With MCs Like T.F. 1:02:30 Why DJ Muggs Did Not Stay in the Commercial Hip-Hop Lane 1:04:00 How Hip-Hop Changed in the Mid-2000s 1:06:40 DJ Muggs Shares Advice for MCs Just Starting Out
Speak On It!