MixedByAli (Derek Ali), Mix Engineer for Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city, joins Dave and Herb on the 97th episode of Pensado’s Place! The trio discuss Derek’s work on Kendrick’s breakout album, as well as working with Dr. Dre, and his own mixing process.
PREVIOUS: Off the Record w/ MixedByAli (Video)
Whenever I get hit with a DM from TDE’s MixedByAli, I think of Kendrick’s Cut You Off and give a good chuckle haha. Anyways, the lineman sized engineer/tour DJ just hit me with a new feature he did with LRG. As part of their ongoing Off The Record series, Ali speaks on working intimately with Dr. Dre, the pride he feels seeing his work enjoyed throughout the world and more.
good kid, m.A.A.d city available now. And speaking of Kendrick, hit the jump for yet another interview clip. This time he speaks with Google Play.
CONTINUE READING
The reason why the music from the TDE camp sounds the way it does? Credit this guy, Derek Ali. The tour DJ for Kendrick Lamar sat down with Good*Fella Media to speak on his role with the TDE camp, his tour partner and more.
PREVIOUS: Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank) (prod. T-Minus)
Come across any post from a TDE member on the site, and you’ll see the name “MixedByAli” on it. As well as being the tour DJ for Kendrick Lamar, Ali is TDE’s Recording & Mixing Engineer responsible for how all of their sounds, well, sound. I’ve seen him on the Twitter always answering fans’ questions about mixing, and he recently sat down with the good folks of The Smoking Section about his roots, his mixing process and more…
TSS: Yeah, that was one of the reasons I wanted to do this interview actually. A person in your role isn’t really at the forefront of the song even though you have a major contribution. And since TDE always makes it a point to credit you and your work, I think it makes sense for us to recognize it as well. But I also feel like you, in particular, are getting that recognition through the music as well, like when Kendrick shouted you out on “Hol’ Up.”
Mixed By Ali: Yeah everyone in the camp does make sure I get the credit. It’s kind of funny you brought up “Hol’ Up,” too, because I’m a big dude. I’m 6-4, 260 pounds. When people see me, they think I’m a security guard, or what have you. When they find out I’m Ali, I always get, ‘Damn! I would hate to be that girl you kicked out the studio,’ or something like that…
Both: [Laughs]
Mixed By Ali: …I mean, if I have to I’ll be security too. I wouldn’t let nothing happen to my brothers. I’ll mix a record and mix a n***a down real quick.
Both: [Laughs]
Q and Soul revisit their Setbacks original. Big shouts to Nez & Rio on the production, this shit got that bounce! HABITS & Contradictions coming soon.
Mixed by Ali.
