DJ NIK BEAN (August 2007) | Interview By: Eddie Gurrola

       Dubcnn recently caught up with DJ Nik Bean to bring our readers an exclusive look into the inner workings of the California mixtape game. In this interview, Nik Bean tells us all about how he first got into the mixtape scene, how he stays relevant, and his plans for the future. He also tells us about his upcoming mixtapes with artists such as Big Wy, Spider Loc, Ya Boy, as well as his recently released projects with Glasses Malone and Jayo Felony.

As always we have both the transcript and the video for you to check and please feel free to send any feedback regarding the interview to: eddie@dubcnn.com

 

Interview was done in August 2007.

Questions Asked By : Eddie Gurrola

Full Interview In Video For Download : Here (Video: WMV)

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Watch The Video Interview (via the Dubcnn Brightcove Channel)
Press Play To Start Streaming Footage: Fast Connection Recommended

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Dubcnn: We’re here with DJ Nik Bean, one of the hottest DJs on the West Coast! So first, how did you get started with DJing?

I got started about two and a half years ago, almost three years ago. I just got into the game. I didn’t really know [any] artists or nothin’ like that. I didn’t know no one in the industry when I got in. I just got my hustle on. I wanted to get into the game because I was tired of selling dope and stupid shit [like that.] I had to make myself legitimate because I’ve got a family. So, that’s how I got into the game man. To make something legitimate out of my life.


Dubcnn: So how did you end up meeting so many artists?

Like I said man, I’ve just been hustlin’, on my grind. I can’t be out hustled – that’s why I’m the fuckin’ mixtape hustler. DJ Nik Bean! I can’t be out-hustled! I never really had a real job in my life, so I’ve just always been on my grind. You’re gonna see me at all the clubs and all the events. You just network and meet people and you just be a good person. People want to fuck with you if you’re good peoples. If not, then we ain’t going to fuck with you. [Regardless of] how tight you are, or how hot you are, if you ain’t a good person, it don’t matter. You’ve just got to be 100.


Dubcnn: How do you stay connected with artists that you might not run into very often? Is there any trick to that?

I’m still around. I’ll be at all the events, I’ll be everywhere. If there’s a big event in L.A., I’m gonna be there. Dub Car Show – I’ma be there. Whatever’s poppin’ – if I’m in town, I’ll be there. I just get my grind on, be everywhere I can [and] everywhere I need to be, and stay relevant.


Dubcnn: What’s your opinion of the mixtape game right now?

The mixtape game right now, in summer 2007? It’s cool. A lot of people are scared right now because people are getting arrested and busted. But I’m still here. I’m still survivin’, still DJing, doing what I need to do. I just keep my shit out there. It [doesn’t] really affect me [that] people are getting arrested. I’ve been arrested plenty of times. I’ve been handcuffed behind seats and not been arrested. So, that shit isn’t scaring me. But I understand that a lot of DJs aren’t from the streets, or have never been in that predicament.


Dubcnn: What’s your take on the whole bust with DJ Drama?

I think there’s a point now in the game where they’re gonna say, “I’m gonna do it like this, or I’m gonna do it like that.” Something’s gonna have to happen out of this arrest. People are waiting to see what happens. If they just go [with] a slap on the wrist, people will feel like they’re invincible. I think Drama took a big hit for a lot of us. I’ve got mad respect for him. I actually reached out to him, [and] we might rock something together.


Dubcnn: What’s your relationship like with other West Coast DJs? Do you guys talk together on a regular basis?

I fuck with DJ Skee. I like Skee. I actually saw him at the [“Streets On Lock” video shoot,] and had a long conversation. We hadn’t talked for a minute. He was at the video shoot, supporting Hot Dollar, and of course I was there. We just chopped it up. We good peoples. I like Felli Fel, he’s good peoples.

I had a situation with DJ Warrior that a lot of people know about. A lot of shit happened, [and] we almost had a year-long beef, where if I would have seen him, I was gonna take off on him. But to make a long story short, it’s been squashed. Hopefully there will never be no more problems with anybody. I’m trying to be positive, and work towards [a] West Coast movement.


Dubcnn: You’ve got a lot of mixtapes coming out soon. Tell us what we should be looking out for…

I’ve got one with Jayo Felony, I’ve got one with G. Malone. [Editor’s note: Both mixtapes are available now!] He just signed his big deal with Cash Money. I just did one with Larceny Entertainment, Silkk Calone. I’m doing one with Balance, the Bay Area mixtape king. I’m not just L.A., I fuck with people in the Bay. Shout out to the homie DJ Raw2k.

I’ve got one with Big Wy. He’s got one coming out called “The Hood Hitchcock Volume 2.” You know I just did that one with 40 Glocc, “That New Nigga” with Felli Fel. We rocked that one, it’s been [getting] great feedback. Dubcnn “Mixtape Of The Week”. Shout outs to y’all, Dubcnn, for doing this! I’ve got one with Spider Loc I’m about to do, [called] “Connected Volume 2.” I’m about to do one with Ya Boy. He’s the prince of the Bay, he’s killing it lyrically. Shit, is that enough? Do I need more? *Laughs* I think there’s more, but you can do another interview and I’ll tell you about another lineup!


Dubcnn: When you’re doing these mixtapes, do you come up with the concepts together with the artist?

Yeah! I try to give my feedback, and [we] come together and make something bigger. I help with the artwork and the concept. Most of the artists are real receptive to what I say. They respect my opinion. So I try to give as much back as I can with them, and make their project as big as possible.


Dubcnn: Anything else you want to say to everyone on Dubcnn?

Dubcnn.com, y’all the number one West Coast News Network in the fuckin’ world! Everyone knows it out there. Shout outs to the homies Nima, Rud, Yash, Eddie over here. Y’all need to keep it posted. We’ve got shit coming out. DJ Nik Bean, mixtape king out here man. I do this shit for real. Mixtapebuzz.com, djnikbean.com. Y’all need to check it out. Yeah!