“I was taught to work for what I wanted to achieve in life,” says acclaimed producer DJ Mustard in his latest documentary For Every 12 Hours, which premiered in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. The L.A. native debuted the flick after a successful 2016 run that included opening for Rihanna on her Anti world tour, launching his 10 Summers Records label, and signing with Roc Nation for management.
At the upscale iPic Theaters in Westwood, California, DJ Mustard (real name Dijon MacFarlane) and host Karen Civil presented the Charles Todd-directed film and kicked off the reception with hors d’oeuvres and D’usse cocktails. Notable guests in attendance included Mustard’s close collaborators Ty Dolla $ign and YG, as well as Karrueche Tran, Roc Nation’s Lenny S and The Brand Group LA’s Miss Diddy.
The documentary walked viewers through Mustard’s childhood in Los Angeles. His Uncle Tee, who is also a DJ, spoke about Mustard helping out as a child. “He used to go with me and help me lift speakers and move record crates,” he said. “Back when we had record crates, no laptops, no CDs. He just said, ‘I want to be like you.’ I said, ‘Nah, you going to be better than me, so let’s go and figure it out.'” Mustard cited his Uncle Tee as an early inspiration and the reason he pursued music. “My uncle is just like, always pushing me to be better, be a man, and showing me the ropes of the game,” Mustard added.
Trending on Billboard
In the film, Ty Dolla $ign also reminisced on the first time he met Mustard. “When I met Mustard in ’08, ’09, he didn’t do beats,” recalled Dolla $ign, whose friend/producer G Casso died during this time. Dolla $ign also reflected on introducing Mustard to production. “Ty is like more musical than anybody I know,” Mustard said. “He can play so many instruments. That’s my big bro. He taught me how to make beats.” Roc Nation CEO/co-founder Jay Brown also praised Mustard’s hard work, saying, “His DNA is in the right place.”
During the Q&A portion, moderated by Civil, Mustard revealed how he booked the gig on Rihanna’s tour. “She asked me to go. Jay Brown called, and I had to cancel like 15 shows,” he said. The beatsmith also spoke on his friendship with Ty Dolla $ign and YG, as well as the challenges he faces of working in the music industry. “Just being a businessman and balancing my life,” said Mustard, who noted how he recently purchased his first home and has taken a break since December to be with his family. “Trying to be a dad, a boyfriend, a producer, a homie.”
Check out the documentary, which will be available for streaming exclusively on Tidal, starting Friday, Jan. 13.