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Mike Free
Mike Free
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Key Information

Mikely Wilhelm Adam (born January 8, 1992), better known by his stage name Mike Free, is an American record producer, DJ, and songwriter from South Central, Los Angeles.[2] While attending Hampton University in Virginia, Free began working with DJ Mustard, who introduced him to Los Angeles-based rappers YG and Ty Dolla Sign.[3][4] Free's breakthrough in the music industry came from his co-production of Tyga's 2011 song "Rack City", which received quintuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[5][6]

Singles Produced

[edit]
List of singles produced, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US US R&B/Hip Hop US Rap AUS CAN
FRA
GER UK
"Rack City"
(Tyga)
2011
7 1 2 56 53 150 60 39 Careless World: Rise of the Last King
"Headband"
(B.o.B. featuring 2 Chainz)
2013 53 16 15 67
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum
Underground Luxury
"Helluva Night"
(Ludacris)
96 31 23 #IDGAF
"My Nigga"
(YG featuring Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan)
19 5 4 69 62 106 53
  • RIAA: 5× Platinum
My Krazy Life
"Paranoid"
(Ty Dolla Sign featuring B.o.B.)
29 9
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum
  • MC: Gold
Beach House EP
"Show Me"
(Kid Ink featuring Chris Brown)
13 4 3 46 21 58 36 23
  • RIAA: 3× Platinum
  • ARIA: Platinum
  • BVMI: Gold
My Own Lane
"Up Down (Do This All Day)"
(T-Pain featuring B.o.B.)
62 15 43
  • RIAA: Platinum
T-Pain Presents Happy Hour: The Greatest Hits
"Feelin' Myself"
(Will.i.am featuring French Montana, Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa and DJ Mustard)
96 29 18 34 50 55 2 #willpower
"Na Na"
(Trey Songz)
2014 21 5 5 83 94 21 20
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum
Trigga
"Or Nah"
(Ty Dolla Sign featuring Wiz Khalifa and DJ Mustard)
48 12 78
  • RIAA: 6× Platinum
  • MC: 2× Platinum
  • BPI: Silver
Beach House EP
"24 Hours"
(TeeFlii featuring 2 Chainz)
85 21 15 6 Starr
"No Mediocre"
(T.I. featuring Iggy Azalea)
33 8 6 36 59 35 1 49
  • RIAA: Platinum
  • MC: Gold
  • ARIA: Gold
Paperwork
"You and Your Friends"
(Wiz Khalifa featuring Snoop Dogg and Ty Dolla Sign)
82 21 18 14 3
  • RIAA: Gold
Blacc Hollywood
"Don't Panic"
(French Montana)
37
"My Main"
(Mila J featuring Ty Dolla Sign)
M.I.L.A.
"I Don't Fuck With You"
(Big Sean featuring E-40)
11 1 1 47 35 138 95 67
  • RIAA: 6× Platinum
  • ARIA: Gold
  • BPI: Gold
Dark Sky Paradise
"Party Ain't A Party"
(Jamie Foxx featuring 2 Chainz)
"Post to Be"
(Omarion featuring Chris Brown & Jhené Aiko)
13 5 79 49 74
  • RIAA: 3× Platinum
  • BPI: Gold
Sex Playlist
"It Ain't You"
(Jordin Sparks)
Right Here, Right Now
"I'm Tha Man"
(Cozz)
2015 Cozz & Effect
"Only Right"
(Ty Dolla Sign featuring YG, TeeCee 4800 and Joe Moses)
Free TC
"The Fix"
(Nelly)
62 20 3 88 82
  • RIAA: Platinum
  • ARIA: 2× Platinum
  • RMNZ: Gold
"All On You"
(Raven Felix featuring Wiz Khalifa)
2016
"Strive"
(ASAP Ferg featuring Missy Elliott)
Always Strive and Prosper
"League of Your Own"
(DJ Spinking featuring French Montana, Nico & Vinz, and Velous)
"I Do This"
(Nipsey Hussle featuring Young Thug and Mozzy)
Slauson Boy 2
"Craccin"
(G Perico)
Shit Don't Stop
"Swap Meet"
(Tyga)
2018
"Bae"
(O.T. Genasis)
"Big League"
(O.T. Genasis)
2021
"What Is Your Name"
(O.T. Genasis)
"Been Thru"
(HeyDeon)
2022 Snoop Dogg Presents Algorithm
"Pourin'"
(03 Greedo)

Other Production

[edit]

2013

[edit]

2014

[edit]

2015

[edit]

2016

[edit]

2017

[edit]
  • ProblemChachiville
    • 13. "All Year"
  • Jay 305 – Taking All Bets

2018

[edit]

2020

[edit]
  • Eric Bellinger & Nieman J – Optimal Music
    • 03. "Alone" (featuring Blxst)

2021

[edit]
  • Philthy Rich – Phillip Beasley
    • 09. "Too Bad" (featuring Jim Jones & Landstrip Chip)

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Mikely Wilhelm Adam (born January 8, 1992), professionally known as Mike Free, is an American record producer, DJ, and songwriter based in , . Born and raised in South Central , he began creating beats at the age of 15 and gained prominence through his close collaboration with fellow producer DJ Mustard, starting during their high school years. Free's breakthrough came in the early 2010s as part of Mustard's production team, where they developed a sound characterized by upbeat, synth-driven beats. He contributed significantly to several multiplatinum hits, including Tyga's "Rack City" (2011), for which he co-produced the track; 2 Chainz's "I'm Different" (2012), where he played the keys; YG's "My Nigga" (2013); Kid Ink's "Show Me" (2014) featuring Chris Brown; and Nelly's "The Fix" (2015) with Jeremih. These works helped establish Free's reputation in hip-hop and R&B, with additional credits for artists like Ty Dolla $ign on "Paranoid" (2014), Omarion's "Post to Be" (2014), and T-Pain's "Up Down (Do This All Day)" (2015). His production style often features infectious hooks and minimalistic arrangements tailored for club and radio play. In 2014–2015, Free faced legal challenges when he filed lawsuits against DJ Mustard, alleging insufficient credit and compensation for their joint productions, including "Rack City" and "I'm Different." Despite the disputes, Free continued building his independent career, launching his own imprint, 4th Quarter Entertainment, to support emerging producers and songwriters. More recently, Free has expanded into artist releases and further collaborations, releasing his debut single as a lead artist, "She Ready" (2017) featuring Dave East and TeeFlii, and partnering with 03 Greedo on the mixtape Free 03 (2023), which was released while Greedo was incarcerated. These efforts highlight his versatility, from behind-the-scenes hitmaking to front-facing creative endeavors in the hip-hop landscape.

Early life and education

Upbringing in South Central Los Angeles

Mikely Wilhelm Adam, professionally known as Mike Free, was born on January 8, 1992, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in South Central Los Angeles, a neighborhood historically marked by socioeconomic challenges including high unemployment rates among communities of color, police brutality, and gang violence, which fostered a vibrant hip-hop culture as a means of expression and resistance during the 1990s and early 2000s. Raised primarily by his mother in nearby Inglewood, Free experienced a close-knit family dynamic amid the area's hardships, with limited details available on his father's role or any siblings. His initial exposure to music came through everyday family moments, such as riding in the car and listening to R&B group and West Coast rapper , which sparked his fascination with rhythm and production. The surrounding South Central hip-hop scene further fueled this interest, particularly during his high school years when he was influenced by the jerk movement led by local artist YG and the broader West Coast revival, admiring rappers like for their energetic style. During high school, Free met and began collaborating with DJ Mustard, sneaking out at night to work on beats together. By age 15, Free began self-teaching beat-making, dedicating hours to software like Reason, Logic, MPC, and , often practicing late into the night despite sneaking out from his mother's home. This informal apprenticeship in production was driven by the street culture around him, including local DJs and emerging rap talent, transforming his teenage curiosity into a foundational skill set honed in isolation. These early experiences in South Central laid the groundwork for his musical path, leading him to later pursue formal at .

College years at Hampton University

Mike Free enrolled at in , majoring in English with aspirations that increasingly leaned toward music production. Coming from South Central Los Angeles, where he had begun experimenting with beats as a teenager, Free found the structured academic environment a contrast to his informal creative pursuits back home. He balanced coursework in literature and writing with his growing interest in hip-hop production, often drawing on his urban roots as motivation to channel experiences from his upbringing into his early work. During his time on campus, Free immersed himself in extracurricular music activities by setting up a modest production studio in his dorm room, equipped with a small keyboard and a running software like Reason and Logic. This setup allowed him to experiment with beat-making and release mixtapes. These efforts marked his transition from casual hobbyist to dedicated aspiring , as he honed skills in software-based composition without access to professional-grade facilities. After about two years, recognizing the pull of his creative goals, Free dropped out to pursue music professionally, a decision that propelled him toward full-time opportunities in the industry.

Professional career

Breakthrough productions (2011–2013)

Mike Free's entry into the professional music scene occurred in 2011 during his senior year of high school in South Central , when he connected with DJ Mustard, a fellow local, through mutual friends. This led to intensive late-night collaborations at Mustard's house, where they worked together every night for about two years, crafting beats that immersed Free into the Los Angeles hip-hop ecosystem, including introductions to emerging artists like YG and Ty Dolla $ign through Mustard's network. After Free enrolled at Hampton University in Virginia, their sessions shifted to remote file-sharing and phone calls, with Free sending initial beats from his dorm for Mustard to refine in California. These efforts marked the continuation of their partnership and Free's growing involvement in the scene. Free's breakthrough came with his co-production on Tyga's "Rack City," released in 2011 as part of the mixtape Well Done 2 and later as a single from the album Careless World: Rise of the Last King. The track's production began when Free crafted the foundational beat—a minimalist, synth-driven sound with a bouncy bassline—in his home setup, drawing from the West Coast party rap aesthetic popular in LA clubs. Mustard added the signature high-pitched synth riff and finalized the mix, but Free's original elements were pivotal to the song's infectious energy. "Rack City" debuted at number 94 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 2011, climbing to a peak of number 7 by February 2012, and was certified 5× Platinum by the RIAA on February 8, 2023, for over five million units sold in the US. This hit not only propelled Tyga's mainstream visibility but also launched Free's career, establishing him as a key figure in the burgeoning LA trap sound and opening doors to label interest from Young Money and Cash Money Records. During 2012 and 2013, Free continued building his portfolio through additional early productions amid the competitive LA scene, often working from makeshift home studios and facing initial rejections from artists who overlooked his remote contributions. He contributed beats to YG's "Heartbeat" (2012), a collaboration featuring Ty Dolla $ign and TeeCee4800 that highlighted his knack for moody, atmospheric R&B-infused hip-hop, and Problem's "T.O." (2013), which showcased his evolving patterns suited for street anthems. Free also provided uncredited or co-production on tracks for and TeeCee4800, honing his skills in high-volume sessions that sometimes extended until dawn after he snuck out of his living situation to meet collaborators. These efforts, though not always yielding immediate hits, solidified his reputation among LA's underground rappers and labels, setting the stage for broader recognition while he navigated challenges like inconsistent credit acknowledgment.

Partnership with DJ Mustard (2014–2018)

In 2014, Mike Free and DJ Mustard, longtime friends who first connected as teenagers in , intensified their creative partnership into a formal production duo, leveraging Free's melodic programming skills and Mustard's knack for infectious, synth-driven rhythms to craft a signature West Coast trap sound. Their collaboration built on earlier synergies but peaked during this era with a focus on high-energy beats featuring booming 808 bass, sparse percussion, and anthemic hooks that bridged street rap with commercial appeal. This stylistic fusion helped propel hip-hop's regional sound into national dominance, emphasizing trap elements like sliding hi-hats and repetitive motifs tailored for club and radio play. A cornerstone of their joint work was YG's "My Nigga" featuring and , released in 2014 as the lead single from , where Free composed the foundational beat—a hypnotic loop of piano and drums—that Mustard layered with his production flair, including the vocal tag "Mustard on the beat, ho!" The track peaked at number 19 on the and earned 5× Platinum certification from the RIAA, selling over 5 million units and exemplifying their ability to create crossover anthems with raw, party-ready energy. Similarly, they contributed to Big Sean's "I Don't Fuck With You" featuring , with Free as additional producer alongside Mustard and ; the song sampled D.J. Rogers' 1976 soul track "Say You Love Me One More Time" for its uplifting chorus, reaching number 11 on the Hot 100 and certified 8× Platinum by the RIAA (as of 2023) for over 8 million equivalent units. These singles highlighted their technique of blending emotional samples with trap aggression, driving massive streaming and sales while shaping 2010s hip-hop radio. Free's involvement extended to key albums, including co-production on multiple tracks from Mustard's debut 10 Summers (2014), such as "Down On Me" featuring and Ty Dolla $ign, which showcased their evolving trap sound with layered vocals and pulsating synths, and "Ghetto Tales" featuring RJ, emphasizing narrative-driven beats. The album debuted at number 22 on the , solidifying their influence on the producer-as-artist model. Building on the enduring success of earlier cuts like 's "I'm Different" from Based on a T.R.U. Story (2012), where they co-produced the platinum-certified track, their 2014–2018 output continued to impact trap's mainstream evolution through refined, hook-centric production. Their brief reference to prior hits like Tyga's "Rack City" underscored how those foundations paved the way for this prolific phase. During this period, the duo's productions garnered significant recognition, with Mustard earning Producer of the Year at the 2014 and the 2014 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards for his role in hits co-developed with Free, including nominations for Best Hip-Hop Song at the Grammys for related tracks. However, their partnership faced challenges, culminating in a 2014 filed by Free alleging uncredited contributions and improper profit splits on several beats, which was settled out of court in 2016, allowing Free to receive retroactive royalties and points on songs like those from 10 Summers. This era marked the height of their collaborative impact, with their trap-infused beats becoming staples in hip-hop, influencing artists across coasts and earning over a dozen multi-platinum credits collectively.

Independent and solo endeavors (2019–present)

Following his partnership with DJ Mustard, Mike Free shifted toward independent production, contributing beats to projects outside major collaborative frameworks. In 2020, he provided production for several tracks on the album Optimal Music by and Nieman J, including the single "Alone" featuring , which blended R&B and hip-hop elements. This period marked Free's emergence as a lead artist, highlighted by his full production role on the 2023 collaborative album Free 03 with , released via Alamo Records while Greedo was incarcerated, in anticipation of his release days later. The 14-track project featured introspective West Coast rap over Free's signature melodic beats, with standout track "I Can't Control Myself" featuring garnering attention for its energetic flow. Critics noted the album's balance of celebratory vibes and emotional depth, solidifying Free's influence on contemporary hip-hop production. Building on this momentum, Free released singles as a primary and , including "Pourin" in 2022, a collaboration with featuring BlueBucksClan that sampled Leon Bridges' "Flossin'" for a laid-back, party-oriented sound. In 2024, he teamed with Leah Writes for "Waiting On You," an R&B-leaning track emphasizing vocal harmonies and smooth instrumentation. Extending into 2025, Free co-produced "Strike A Pose" with and Young Drummer Boy, a high-energy hip-hop cut released in May that showcased his evolving trap influences. These endeavors reflect Free's independent sound, which carries forward the polished, bass-heavy style honed during his Mustard collaborations while exploring solo artistry and diverse genre fusions.

Discography

Singles produced

Mike Free's production work on singles has been instrumental in shaping West Coast hip-hop and R&B during the early , often in collaboration with DJ Mustard, blending minimalistic beats with catchy hooks that propelled several tracks to commercial success. His contributions emphasize trap-influenced instrumentation, including heavy basslines and sparse percussion, which became hallmarks of the sound dominating urban radio at the time. Notable examples include his co-production on Tyga's "Rack City," which marked his breakthrough and helped establish the duo's signature style.
TitleArtist (Year)Peak Chart PositionRIAA CertificationProduction Notes
Rack City (2011)#7 ()Free crafted the core instrumentation, including the iconic synth melody, while Mustard layered percussion; the track's simple, repetitive structure drove its viral appeal and mainstream radio dominance.
I'm Different (2012)#27 ()Free co-produced the beat's booming 808s and atmospheric synths, creating a high-energy trap anthem that showcased 2 Chainz's swagger and contributed to the rapper's solo rise post-Playaz Circle.
Show Me feat. (2013)#13 ()Free's production featured smooth, wavy synths and a laid-back groove, evolving his sound toward R&B crossover while highlighting Kid Ink's melodic flow and Brown's vocal ad-libs.
My NiggaYG feat. & (2014)#19 ()Co-produced with Mustard, Free built the track's infectious piano riff and trap drums, capturing West Coast street energy and aiding YG's emergence as a Compton representative.
I Don't Fuck With You feat. (2014)#11 ()As additional producer alongside Mustard, , Dahi, and , Free contributed to the soul-sampled beat (from ' "Say You Love Me, One More Time"), originally pitched for but repurposed as a raw breakup diss track.
Post to Be feat. & (2014)#13 ()Free co-produced the sultry, mid-tempo R&B vibe with Mustard, incorporating airy synths and subtle bass to support the song's themes of fleeting romance and vocal harmonies.
In addition to these flagship releases, Free's catalog includes several lesser-known but impactful singles grouped across years. In 2013, he contributed to Ty Dolla $ign's "Paranoid" (feat. ), where his experimental keyboard work added emotional depth to the R&B-slow jam hybrid. In 2013, tracks like Nelly's "The Fix" (feat. ) showcased Free's versatility in blending pop-rap with seductive undertones via crisp hi-hats and melodic loops. By 2014, productions such as T.I.'s "No Mediocre" (feat. ), inspired by classic Southern rap, featured Free's punchy drums that amplified the song's confident bravado. These efforts, often co-produced with Mustard during their partnership, extended Free's influence into broader hip-hop and R&B circles. Free's singles production has had lasting effects on artists' trajectories, notably catapulting to mainstream stardom with "Rack City," which not only topped urban charts but also introduced the hypnotic, bass-heavy aesthetic that defined early rap. Similarly, his work on YG's "My Nigga" solidified the rapper's authentic West Coast voice, leading to widespread recognition and album success. Overall, these tracks amassed billions of streams and sales, underscoring Free's role in commercializing trap sounds while fostering career-defining moments for emerging talents.

Album credits

Mike Free's production work on full-length albums spans collaborations with prominent hip-hop and R&B artists, often involving multiple tracks per project and frequent partnerships with producers like DJ Mustard. His contributions emphasize trap-influenced beats with melodic elements, contributing to the commercial success of several high-profile releases. Early in his career, Free co-produced key tracks on 2 Chainz's debut album Based on a T.R.U. Story (2012), including the platinum-certified single "I'm Different," which helped the album debut at number one on the and achieve gold status. In 2015, Free's involvement deepened in DJ Mustard's debut studio album 10 Summers, where he co-produced three tracks: "Giuseppe" (featuring , , and ), "Down on Me" (featuring and ), and "Vato" (featuring YG, , and ). These productions showcased Free's signature bouncy, synth-driven sound, aiding the album's platinum certification and its role in solidifying Mustard's West Coast production dominance. That same year, on Big Sean's , Free served as an additional producer and writer on the lead single "" (featuring ), co-produced with DJ Mustard, , DJ , and ; the track topped the , driving the album to number one on the and multi-platinum sales. Free continued his collaborative streak into 2018 with Lil Wayne's long-awaited , co-producing "Open Safe" (featuring and ) alongside DJ Mustard; this track exemplified Free's ability to blend hard-hitting 808s with atmospheric pads, contributing to the album's debut at number one on the and over 480,000 first-week units sold. On Rich the Kid's The World Is Yours (2018), Free co-produced "No Question" (featuring ), a high-energy cut that highlighted his trap expertise and helped the album reach number two on the . Patterns in Free's album work during this period include multi-track commitments per project—often three or more—and a focus on lead or promotional singles that amplify an album's chart performance, without overlapping into standalone releases. Extending into the 2020s, Free contributed to and Nieman J's collaborative album Optimal Music (2020), producing "Alone" (featuring ), which infused R&B sensibilities into his production style and supported the project's emphasis on melodic, introspective vibes. Additionally, on and Tyga's Fan of a Fan: The Album (2015), Free co-produced "" and "Nothin' Like Me," reinforcing his pattern of delivering club-ready anthems for pop-rap crossovers. Overall, Free's album credits demonstrate a consistent role in elevating project cohesion through repeated collaborations, particularly with Mustard, resulting in over a dozen multi-platinum contributions across the decade.
ArtistAlbumYearKey Tracks ProducedImpact Notes
2 ChainzBased on a T.R.U. Story2012"I'm Different"Debut #1 on ; gold certification
DJ Mustard10 Summers2015"Giuseppe," "Down on Me," "Vato"Platinum album; boosted Mustard's profile
2015"" (additional producer)#1 Hot 100 single; multi-platinum album
& Fan of a Fan: The Album2015"Banjo," "Nothin' Like Me"Top 10 debut
2018"Open Safe"#1 ; 480K+ first-week sales
The World Is Yours2018"No Question"#2 peak
& Nieman JOptimal Music2020"Alone"R&B-focused project with guest features

Solo releases

Mike Free transitioned from his established role as a to releasing music as a lead and collaborator, incorporating his signature West Coast trap influences into vocal performances and DJ-oriented tracks. This shift allowed him to showcase his production style in a performative capacity, blending melodic elements with hard-hitting beats rooted in his earlier work alongside DJ Mustard. Free's debut single as a lead artist, "She Ready" (2017) featuring and , marked his entry into front-facing releases. In 2023, Free released his debut collaborative album Free 03 with rapper on Alamo Records, marking Greedo's first project following his release from prison. Entirely produced by Free, the 14-track effort features introspective lyrics over atmospheric trap production, including standout tracks like "If I Die," a brooding closer reflecting on mortality, and "I Can't Control Myself" featuring OhGeesy, which explores themes of with layered synths and punchy . The album's as a post-incarceration statement added emotional weight, with some tracks recorded via jail phone lines for authenticity. Critics praised its emotional depth and Free's versatile beats, with noting how the production matches Greedo's range of longing and hurt, while highlighted its role in evolving melodic trap. Prior to the album, Free issued the single "Pourin" featuring BlueBucksClan in February 2022, a laid-back trap cut about indulgence that later appeared on Free 03. Available on platforms like and , it exemplified his ability to craft infectious hooks while performing. Building on this, Free continued with collaborative singles and EPs in subsequent years. "Waiting On You," a smooth R&B-infused track with Leah Writes, dropped in November 2024 via Drastic Measures LLC, emphasizing relational tension over Free's minimalistic production. In 2025, he featured on "Strike A Pose" with and Young Drummer Boy, released May 16 on Coyote For Hire/Smoker's Club Records, a high-energy club track available on that nods to his DJ roots with upbeat rhythms. Additionally, the 2024 EP Told You Not To FWM by AJ, the One includes Free's production on tracks like "Been That," distributed via AJ, the One Productions and streamed on , showcasing his ongoing ties to emerging West Coast talent. These releases, primarily on major streaming platforms, reflect Free's evolution without notable chart placements but with growing playlist traction in hip-hop circles. Free has also shared instrumental beats and DJ mixes on under his handle, drawing from his production background to offer standalone tracks for sampling or club play, though no formal instrumental album has been released.

References

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