Legendary Producer Mike Dean Launches M.W.A. Record Label

For the past two decades, Mike Dean has produced and/or engineered albums for the most important artists in hip-hop - from the Geto Boys to Kanye West. Now the legendary producer is stepping behind the boards with the launch of his very own record label called M.W.A.

In an interview with Billboard, Dean said forming a record label seemed like a logical next step in his 25-year career of crafting albums for rappers and singers.

"I figured I'd start a label and sign some new acts," he said. "Seems like a good time to start it. I got a studio out here [in Los Angeles] and I'm able to meet a lot of new artists."

As for the name of his label (which is clearly a wink and a nod to N.W.A), Dean has been holding on to it for years. "That's just what I call myself when I DJ. Mexican Wrestling Association. It's something that I've done with the merch, so I just figured I'd keep the name going," he said.

Right now, Dean has only one artist signed to his label - Houston rapper Dice Soho. The first single under their partnership is called "Goon' Up" Featuring Rae Sremmurd's Slim Jimmy.

"The first session we did was the 'Goin Up' song... I was like, 'Oh, okay. This guy has something,'" said Dean. "He came out and we smoked a few blunts in the studio. I made the beat on the spot. Then he wrote his s--- as I made the beat. It actually started out as a different song. We changed the hook. We thought it needed flavor."

Next up for Dean is Desiigner's debut album, Liife of Desiigner. The project is slated for release in July.

"He's experimenting with different sounds [on the album]," said Dean of the G.O.O.D. Music signee. "I don't wanna comment on him too much, because he's still young. I got a lot of dope stuff for his album. It should be fire."

You can read Mike Dean's full Billboard interview here.