Mike Dean

Lore & Background

Dean's relationship with West began with mixing duties on *The College Dropout* and *Late Registration*, then grew into a full production partnership. He co-produced on West's collaboration album with Jay-Z, *Watch the Throne*, and was an additional producer on "Mercy" and "Higher" from GOOD Music's *Cruel Summer*. In recent years, Dean has served as a regular guitarist and keyboardist for West at live performances, including the Watch the Throne Tour, the Yeezus Tour, and the Saint Pablo Tour. Dean's production has appeared on every one of Travis Scott's musical bodies of work since 2013, and he has also served as a regular guitarist and keyboardist for Scott at his live performances.

In Their Own Story

Dean first became widely known for pioneering the Dirty South sound in the 1990s, particularly in work for artists from Rap-A-Lot Records. He began his career in hip-hop while producing two albums as part of the Houston-based group Def Squad. After initially contributing to the mixing of West's albums *The College Dropout* and *Late Registration*, Dean contributed as producer on West's albums *Graduation*, *My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy*, *Yeezus*, *The Life of Pablo*, *Ye*, and *Donda*. He also co-produced with West on *Watch the Throne* and was an additional producer on "Mercy" and "Higher" from *Cruel Summer*. Dean has since become a frequent collaborator with Travis Scott, with his production appearing on every one of Scott's musical bodies of work since 2013.

Reader's Guide

Mike Dean serves as a producer, mixer, and multi-instrumentalist for Kanye West. He first contributed to the mixing of *The College Dropout* and *Late Registration*, then contributed as a producer on *Graduation*, *My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy*, *Yeezus*, *The Life of Pablo*, *Ye*, and *Donda*. He co-produced on *Watch the Throne* and was an additional producer on "Mercy" and "Higher" from *Cruel Summer*. Dean has also served as a regular guitarist and keyboardist for West at live performances, including the Watch the Throne Tour, the Yeezus Tour, and the Saint Pablo Tour. Beyond West, Dean has worked with artists including the Weeknd, Beyoncé, Kid Cudi, Travis Scott, Jay-Z, Drake, Madonna, Selena Gomez, Playboi Carti, and Lana Del Rey.

Did You Know?

• Dean first became widely known for pioneering the Dirty South sound in the 1990s, particularly in work for artists from Rap-A-Lot Records.
• He began his career in hip-hop while producing two albums as part of the Houston-based group Def Squad.
• Dean has served as a regular guitarist and keyboardist for Kanye West at the Watch the Throne Tour, the Yeezus Tour, and the Saint Pablo Tour.
• Dean's production has appeared on every one of Travis Scott's musical bodies of work since 2013.
• In May 2017, Dean announced he was launching a record label by the name of M.W.A., which stands for Mexican Wrestling Association.