Welcome to the world of Mike Dean, where music meets magic, and creativity knows no bounds. Mike Dean is not just a name; he’s a phenomenon, a maestro behind some of the most iconic sounds in contemporary music. As a renowned producer, mixer, and master of all things sonic, Dean has left an indelible mark on the industry, shaping the landscape of hip-hop and beyond. With an illustrious career spanning decades, his influence reverberates through countless genres and generations, earning him a well-deserved place in the pantheon of music legends.
In this curated collection of Mike Dean quotes, we invite you to delve deeper into the mind of a musical virtuoso. From insightful reflections on the creative process to anecdotes from his journey through the ever-evolving realm of music production, these quotes offer a glimpse into the wisdom and wit of one of the industry’s most innovative minds. Whether you’re a seasoned musician seeking inspiration or simply a fan of great music, you’ll find something to resonate with in Dean’s words. So, without further ado, explore the musings of Mike Dean below and let his words spark your imagination and ignite your passion for music.
One of my favorite moments was when me and Jay-Z made a song ‘For Rhyme or Reason.’ It ended up on ‘Reasonable Doubt,’ but they switched the beat because we couldn’t get clearance from my label. Mike Dean
Music and motorcycles was my thing when I was a kid. Mike Dean
I try to keep track of what the kids are doing on Soundcloud, and all the new guys coming up. Mike Dean
Willie D is one of the first people I worked with. Mike Dean
It’s great to watch people come up and help mold their careers. I really took it literal when Kanye said, ‘Listen to the kids, bruh.’ That really means something. Mike Dean
Justin Vernon is one of the collaborators Kanye will always go to. He doesn’t fit in with any genres – you never know if he’s gonna sing, like, the Bee Gees or some crazy, distorted thing. And you don’t know what he’s saying half the time. He’s kind of like Michael McDonald, like he’s got marbles in his mouth. Mike Dean
I play the sax, piano, guitar, bass… I started as a kid with piano lessons. Mike Dean
If I hear music that has a hole in it and has a space for me to fit in, I go for that stuff. Mike Dean
People come with the record done but just need a little more sauce on top. That’s what I’m good at. Mike Dean
I’ve always been fascinated with sound, since I was a little kid when my mother Dorothy Dean took me to my first piano lesson. Later on, my guitar, bass guitar, and synthesizer were my secret weapons. Mike Dean
No disrespect to people that don’t use music theory or don’t know it. It does help to be able to figure out what key a song is in, even though with your scales you can figure it out so you can set your Auto-Tune right. So many songs with Auto-Tune are off or have the wrong note playing on the 808. And they pass it off as being hood. Mike Dean
I grew up on a bayou. The small town that I lived in was, like, 10 miles from me. I grew up in the middle of nowhere. Mike Dean
I raced motocross; I raced for Suzuki when I was a kid. Mike Dean
Major labels don’t play with samples not being cleared. Mike Dean
‘Black Skinhead’ almost got deaded because it was too much like a soccer song. Mike Dean
I was a Dow Chemical baby. My dad designed chemical plants for Dow Chemical. Mike Dean
My taste for rappers is very high. I’ve only worked with, like, Pac and Jay-Z and Scarface. Mike Dean
That’s just what I call myself when I DJ: Mexican Wrestling Association. Mike Dean
Moog embodies a sound luxury like no other. Mike Dean
I used to play in biker bars, different places like that. Mike Dean
For ‘Twisted Fantasy,’ I probably spent 180 days in the studio. Mike Dean
I’m not a gangster. I’m a musician. Mike Dean
I worked with Pimp C since he was 14 years old, and he was one of my best friends. Mike Dean