While the West Coast isn’t known for its mixtape scene one DJ is trying to change all that through his relentless grind and street savvy work ethic, that DJ’s name is Nik Bean.

After years of putting in work as a DJ, Nik Bean has become one of the top, if not the top DJ in Los Angeles. Unlike many DJ’s of today Nik refuses to just throw a product out there, he takes his time and makes sure the fans are getting what they deserve, and that is official product.

Known as the mixtape hustler, Nik has worked with many artists on the West including Crooked I, Spider Loc, and fellow DJ, Felli Fel. Never one to boxed in Nik has also expanded his horizons by working with a number of Southern artists including Lil’ Wayne and Rick Ross and is gearing up to make his first NYC mixtape. Sixshot.Com caught up with DJ Nik Bean to discuss why DJ’s should need a license, his hometown of L.A, and how he made it to the top in the rap game.

First things first, how did you get into spinning?

Well, I used to play college basketball for three years but then I had a daughter and I had to quit. I started making money on the streets but then I got into trouble with the law so I had to find something else to do. I wanted to ma ke money legit and the mixtape game out here on the West Coast isn’t like it is on the East Coast. I found my lane and I ran with it.

Why do you think the mixtape game isn’t as heavy on the West Coast?

I’ve actually never been to New York, I was supposed to go recently though. It’s really geography man. It’s a lot of legwork and nobody really did that before me, like just hopping in the car and driving up and down the coast. A lot of people just wanna throw it on the internet now and the internet is cool but mixtapes are a street thing. That’s the roots of it and you gotta stay true to the roots.

Mixtapes have been around for years, why do you feel the FEDS are trying to crack down on them now?

I think the labels are telling them to do that. Labels know who I am and they know who Drama is but a lot of people are putting out unofficial shit that nobody wants to see and nobody cares about. That’s kinda fuckin’ the game up because fans don’t know which is real and which isn’t. How many Lil Wayne mixtapes are out right now? Like 300 a week. (Laughs) What they need to do is treat mixtapes like guns. You need a license to carry a gun, you should need a license to be able to put out a mixtape, and not everybody should be allowed. It should be official dudes like Whoo Kid, Kay Slay, Green Lantern, and myself. There are some dudes comin’ up so they should be put on probation. Just because you have a DSL connection and you know how to
use Photoshop doesn’t mean you should be able to drop a mixtape.

I noticed you work with a lot of other DJ’s as well.

Yeah, I try to reach out and work with the people that I respect.

In terms of DJ’s, who are you feelin’?

I actually just met Green Lantern and Whoo Kid at the same time. I always have been a fan of them. As far as the West Coast, I like Felli Fel. I’m getting to do a lot of work with people that I’m a fan of so it’s real satisfying.

You’re on the radio now too, right?

We’re in the midst of doing that right now; it’s up in the air. It’s gotta be a good situation so we’re just making it happen
behind the scenes right now.

How do you feel about the West Coast MC’s right now?

I think there’s a lot of talent on the West Coast right now. You just gotta get the West Coast behind you because the underground scene in southern California isn’t really crackin’ right now, it hasn’t been for years. There’s no one reason, it’s a combination of things. The Bay Area does real well as far as the independent scene goes. Other than the Game, who’s really blown up on a worldwide scale? You gotta start with your hometown and then let it spread.

You do work with a lot of West Coast artists though.

Yeah, I fuck with everybody. Felli and me did a mixtape with Spider Loc. We’re about to do something with Problem. He just signed with Universal Republic; I think Amy Winehouse is under that division and they don’t have a lot of urban artists. The Crooked I mixtape was hot; I was a fan of his before I even started DJ’ing. I want him to make it more than anyone else. I came up with the idea for that mixtape and he loved it, we might do a part two but we’ll see.

So you’re on tour with G. Malone right now?

Yeah we’re doing Seattle, Utah; we’re in Boise, Idaho right now. His album, Beach Cruiser, is about to drop on June 3rd. “Certified” already blew up and the video with Akon is on 106 and Park. His second single is gonna be “Go Big” with Mack 10 or  Baby and Lil Wayne record called “Haters” so either way he can’t go wrong. You’ll hear about that real soon.

A lot of people call you L.A’s mixtape king, how do you feel about that title?

It is what it is. I called myself the mixtape hustler. I never had a real job in my life; I’m just doing what I gotta do to make money on a street level. DJ Warrior said the same thing and he was here before me. When I was coming up, we had issues but we could have a conversation now, it’s all good. When it comes to the street level mixtapes, I own that, no disrespect to anyone else. That’s me, Nik Bean.

You also work with a lot of artists from the South, are you a big fan of Southern hip-hop?

Yeah Southern hip-hop is cool. I fuck with my man Hot Dollar. He’s considered like a West Coast artist but he was in Mississippi for a long time so his music has that Southern mentality. I fuck with anybody if they’re hot; North, South, East, West.

Speaking of working with anybody that’s hot, when can we expect you to do a mixtape with a New York artist?

It’s funny you should say that because I’m about to do something with N.O.R.E. I’m not tryna be boxed in, I wanna go worldwide.

No doubt, so what projects should we be checking for?

I got a mixtape with Problem coming soon. I got a mixtape with an artist from Watts, Bang Loose, called Sonically Correct. I got a mixtape with Yung Berg and one with Balance as well, he’s dope. The way shit is coming in right now I may have something new tomorrow.

Anything you’d like to say to the fans at Sixshot.Com?

Check out the myspace and check out mixtapebuzz.com. Also, I got a DVD magazine coming out called Street Certified. We got interview with Rick Ross, Ying Yang, Keak Da Sneak, and Mistah F.A.B.  Actually, we’re the first ones to talk to Mistah F.A.B. after  his battle with Royce.We also got Trey Songz addressing the jumping into the crowd situation, it’s hot. Sixshot.com, there you go!