Mike Crook, a multi-genre producer who is representing Los Angeles, California by producing some of music’s biggest hits. The chart-topping producer has that charming LA flare by including instruments, and chords in his beats. Not only has he been able to secure placements with award-winning artists, but he has also been able to distinguish himself as a versatile producer by mixing west coast with mainstream sounds.
“I think what makes my music distinct, is being able to mix the west coast bounce, with the pop/R&B melodies. It creates like this radio feel. I spent years trying to perfect it. I can also do the trap stuff as well, but my go to is really getting those R&B chords with the 102-107 bpm, feel good vibes.”
Working with artists like Blueface, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Tyga, Lil Wayne, G-Eazy and more, Crook has truly put himself on the map. Crook produced some of music’s hottest hits like, “Like That” by Doja Cat, “Bleed it” by Blueface and “Blood Walk” by YG ft. Lil Wayne & D3, and recently hitting the scene with a new track by Saweetie ft. H.E.R “Closer.” The compelling producer has paved a lane for himself and isn’t letting up anytime soon.
After having only been on the music scene for a few years, Crook ran into humbling challenges along his way. Similar to most beatmakers, Crook used those challenging experiences to fuel himself into the producer he is today,
‘I think the biggest challenges as a producer is to be able to get in the room. So many artists have their go to producers that they’ve been with for years, I think me being new, it was a challenge to even get them to approve me coming to the studio. With the songs I have now, it makes it a little easier for people to want to work, but for a long time it felt like a challenge.”
In 2021, Crook was able to make connections with familiar writers, and producers who were major players in the process of catapulting his career and his confidence in beat making.
“Last year, there was honestly not that many high moments, I think I only had 2 placements even tho I’m grateful for them, — I appreciate supakaine who wrote on best friend by Doja and Saweetie and also big energy by Latto, for still coming to my house to work with me during a time I had 2 placements out. I appreciate Ryan OG and Lourdiz so much as well, they were apart of “closer” and “freaky deaky” as well. They never gave up on me and I was with them almost every week. That means the most to me, is the ones that were there when others weren’t trying to work. They are forever in my favor. Extendo beatz is a producer I’m with almost every day, we do almost everything together, he also engineers and has been there for me.”
Consistently perfecting his craft, Crook has been anticipating working with variety of artists over the upcoming years, “Drake, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Roddy Ricch, Kendrick, Dua Lipa, Bluebucks Clan, Remble, Bino, Blxst and the list can go on, I want to work with everyone, especially on the west coast.”
Crook is back again this time producing upcoming track “Blick Blick” by Coi Leray ft. Nicki Minaj. I think it’s safe to say that Crook’s name will be continuously popping up on charts, as he takes the music game by storm.
