Grammys

In 2024, Grammy-winner Mustard had a year that reminded the world why he was the hottest beatmaker on the planet a decade prior. Thanks, in large part, to the seismic success of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” — the Billboard Hot 100-topping KO punch Lamar threw Drake near the end of their culture-shifting beef – Mustard notched a pair of 2025 Grammy nods: record of the year and producer of the year, non-classical. 
It’s the first time Mustard has earned a nod in the latter category, a testament to both his longevity and the strength of his non-“Not Like Us” 2024 work, like the Faith of a Mustard Seed album, which hit No. 11 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. “Not Like Us” is, of course, the song everyone is thinking about going into Lamar’s highly anticipated Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance: Between Drake’s ongoing lawsuit against UMG and the Grammys, “Not Like Us” has remained at the center of the cultural conversation — even as several hits circulate from K.Dot’s Billboard 200-topping GNX LP, which also includes the No. 2 Mustard-helmed smash “TV Off” (with Lefty Gunplay).

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At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, “Not Like Us” won all five of its nominations: best rap song, best rap performance, best music video, song of the year and record of the year.

While Mustard himself isn’t totally convinced he’ll be joining Kung Fu Kenny for the halftime show on Feb. 9, this year’s Super Bowl will still be a special one for the LA-bred producer. During the Grammy telecast (Feb. 2). Heinz and Mustard announced the first-ever Mustard x Mustard remix, an endeavor that will last the entire year and include Heinz’s first-ever co-created product. Dubbed a “secret sauce,” Mustard’s custom new condiment marks the first new national Heinz Mustard innovation in nearly ten years. 

“I’ve been ‘mustard’ since I was born, my real name is Dijon,” he tells Billboard. “I’ve always wanted to work with Heinz and I only use Heinz. Ironically, I have a Heinz DJ Mustard chain that cost me a lot — I actually spent all of my money on it when I got my first check. I don’t wear it as much no more, but that was my first-ever chain. This could have happened a long time ago, but now is the perfect time. I was 340 lbs. back then, I’m on the leaner side now so I’m looking good; If I ever got to do some commercials, I look better now!” 

Read what else Mustard had to say about the Super Bowl, “Not Like Us” and the best food to pair his new secret sauce with. 

What felt different this time around at the Grammys compared to the previous years you’ve been nominated? 

I’ve never been nominated for this many Grammys in one year. It’s definitely scary but exciting. And producer of the year, man. That’s one of the ones that means a lot.  Everything is different about this year for me. 

What was your initial reaction when you saw your name on that lineup for producer of the year, non-classical? 

I was more worried about “Not Like Us” being nominated, so I [wasn’t even thinking about that category]. I don’t want to say I forgot about producer of the year, but I’ve never been nominated for it, so I never even thought it could happen. At this point, so many years have passed. I don’t think I was even looking for that; it was one of the first ones that popped up, and I just started going crazy because it was just so unexpected. I was like, “What the hell?!” I just couldn’t believe it. 

It’s wild to hear that you were more worried about “Not Like Us.” Was there a world in your head in which that track got no love at the Grammys? 

I think that I’m optimistic about anything; I don’t feel entitled about anything. I’m grateful that we got nominations, but a part of me in the back of my mind was like, “What if we don’t?” I never feel like I’m just supposed to get [recognition]. Although we have a song that is really huge, I feel like people sometimes have a problem with entitlement. I want whatever I deserve, but I don’t feel like it has to be given to me.

What track from Faith of a Mustard Seed are you most proud of from a production standpoint? 

“Pray for Me.” [I’m] rapping [on there and that’s] definitely something that I didn’t see myself doing or wasn’t planning on doing. It’s very personal and vulnerable. I always go for the things that make me super nervous, because that’s the stuff that takes the most courage to do. I’m very proud of that one. 

How does it feel to have a battle track nominated for record of the year? 

[Chuckles]. It feels great. I always think about the song and my legacy. I always think about Jay-Z and Nas and how we still talk about that beef. People are going to talk about this forever, and I don’t know how to feel about it. I’m still in the moment. Every time I think about it, I’m like, “Damn, that’s crazy.” 

What’s the most random place you’ve heard “Not Like Us” playing? 

My daughter’s school. She’s nine and she had a dance recital. It was definitely the clean version, but they danced to it and she was in front. I was like, “Whoa, this is pretty crazy!”  

Would you ever make the “MUSTAAAARRRD” ad-lib from “TV Off” a recurring one? 

I think it’s something I would do. If I did do that, I would use it on a song with Kendrick — I don’t know that I would just start passing around that tag, it’s really special. 

Can we expect an appearance from you during the halftime show? 

I’m gonna go watch the game, but I’m not saying I’m performing, because I don’t think I am. I have no idea about any of that. I don’t actually talk to Kendrick about stuff like this. I recently texted him a voice note where I was singing “Euphoria” [and gassing him]. We talk about stuff like that. I’m not asking him like, “Hey man, can I perform with you?” I’m not asking no s—t like that. But if he did call me up and invite me, I would say “Hell yeah!” As of right now, you can’t expect me on the halftime show. But you can expect me in a box! 

Out of all the songs that you and Kendrick have collaborated on, which one would you most like to see perform? 

All of them! I mean, “Not Like Us,” man. It would just be crazy to see. If he does “TV Off,” I get the shout-out. If he does “Not Like Us,” I still get the shout-out! I like ‘em all the same. I really would love him to perform “Hey Now.” But if he doesn’t, I’ll be good with whatever he does. 

After the year the West Coast had in 2024, what does it feel like to watch Kendrick lead a victory lap on the Super Bowl stage? 

It feels great that Kendrick is really putting the West Coast back in the forefront. He’s giving people like me opportunities to shine; even though SZA’s not from Los Angeles, she’s adopted, she’s with us. And all the people that he put on his [GNX] album; he really cares about the West Coast. That’s the part that people don’t really see. For him to be that big, putting people like Lefty Gunplay and AzChike and Peysoh on tracks… he really gave people looks, and people don’t do that often. People don’t grab the youngest person that nobody knows. 

What can you tell us about the secret sauce? 

Nothing, it’s a secret! It’s one-of-a-kind. I think people are gonna love it. Whenever I end up deciding, it’s gonna be that. 

What’s the best food item to pair with the limited-edition mustard? 

I’m a mustard of all trades, so I like to say, “everything.” You can do some lemon pepper chicken strips maybe, or some hot wings, all flats, extra crispy. I got flavor in every aspect. 

What’s your favorite type of mustard? 

All of them, but I don’t really like spicy like that. I’m not a spicy person. I can do a little kick now, but I can’t do crazy burning hot. I can do Hot Ones with some ranch dressing or something to cool it off. I can’t tell you my favorite mustard, though — because if I told you that, then you probably know a little bit of my secret sauce. And I know you’re trying to figure it out! 

I use them all, depending on what we’re doing. If we grilling, we going regular yellow mustard for the hot dogs and hamburgers. I’m also using yellow for the binder on the ribs now. Now if I’m getting out the fry basket, I’m using yellow mustard for the binder on the chicken!