PULSE Music Group has signed a creative joint venture with hip hop producer Mike Dean.
The news was announced today (November 12) by Josh Abraham and Scott Cutler, co-CEO’s of PULSE Music Group and Ashley Calhoun, Senior Vice President/Head of Creative, PULSE Music Group.
Dean has been an in-demand producer for the past four decades, having recorded and mixed songs for Kanye West, Jay-Z, 2Pac, Beyoncé, Nas, Travis Scott, 2 Chainz, Migos, Kid Cudi, Justin Bieber, Big Sean, Snoop Dogg, John Legend, A$AP Rocky, Madonna, The Weeknd, Young Thug, Christina Aguilera, Kendrick Lamar, and many others.
The first signing to Mike Dean’s JV with PULSE Music Group is Houston producer Apex Martin (credits include Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, Future, PNB Rock, and more).
Apex is also the producer of Smokepurrp’s Deadstar 2.
He was previously named to Complex’s “15 Producers to Watch” list.
Josh Abraham initially connected with Apex and introduced him to Ashley Calhoun and Shannon Choi (PULSE A&R) and the deal took shape from there.
Apex is managed by Gary Marella at Mono Music Group. PULSE Music’s deal with Apex Martin is a go-forward co-publishing deal. Jason Boyarski of Boyarski Frisk LLP was instrumental in forging the deal.
Amongst his many other accolades, Mike Dean is widely known for pioneering the Dirty South sound in the 1990’s, primarily with artists from Rap-A-Lot Records and working alongside Scarface, UGK, Do or Die, Tha Dogg Pound, Nate Dogg, Tech N9ne, Outlawz, and 2Pac, to name a few.
In the 2000’s, Dean became known for his work with Kanye West, initially contributing to mixing The College Dropout (nominated for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album categories at the Grammy Awards in 2005) and Late Registration (Winner of Best Rap Album at the Grammy Awards in 2006).
Dean went on to contribute as a producer on Kanye West’s Graduation, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Yeezus, The Life of Pablo and Ye (earning both production and writing credits on the majority of the tracklist for the last two).
Dean co-produced on West’s collaboration with Jay-Z Watch the Throne.
From there, he went on to mix, produce and master hip hop music for artists like Travis Scott, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Frank Ocean, Ty Dolla $ign, 2 Chainz, Kid Cudi, Migos, Pusha T, Christina Aguilera, Nas, Madonna, Smokepurpp, Gorillaz, and more.
A multi-instrumentalist, Dean is also known to play guitar, bass, cello, piano and keyboard on productions and has served as a guitarist and keyboard for both Kanye West and Travis Scott on studio albums and on tour in live performances.
Dean launched his own label, M.W.A. in 2017.
“I’ve always been a big fan of Mike’s and couldn’t be happier that we finally have an opportunity to work together.”
Josh Abraham
Josh Abraham said: “I’ve always been a big fan of Mike’s and couldn’t be happier that we finally have an opportunity to work together.
“I’ve been following Apex’s career for a couple of years and when Gary mentioned to me the idea of working together it made perfect sense that this was meant to be.”
“Mike Dean is a legend who has helped shape the sound of hip hop.”
Ashley Calhoun
Ashley Calhoun added: “Mike Dean is a legend who has helped shape the sound of hip hop. Partnering with Mike and having the PULSE crew working alongside him in a creative joint venture is a dream team.
“We admire Apex and he’s already proven himself with the work that he’s done with Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, Future, and Smokepurpp. We see this as the tipping point — we’re going to be doing a lot of big things together and the PULSE team is excited to stand with Apex and help shape this next chapter of his career.”
“I’m looking forward to working with the team to push Apex over the top. It’s going to be a fruitful relationship.”
Mike Dean
Mike Dean said: “So happy to start this joint venture with PULSE and Apex.
“I’m looking forward to working with the team to push Apex over the top. It’s going to be a fruitful relationship.”
“I’m very humbled to be joining Mike in this new deal with PULSE.”
Apex Martin
Apex Martin said: “I’m very humbled to be joining Mike in this new deal with PULSE.
“As I continue to dive into my other endeavors, adding to my creative output and building my business I’m thrilled to be at the beginning of this great new partnership.”
Pictured [Left-Right]: Front: Gary Marella, CEO, Mono Music Group and Apex Martin. Back: Shannon Choi, A+R Coordinator, PULSE Music Group; Ashley Calhoun, SVP A&R, PULSE Music Group; Josh Abraham, co-CEO, PULSE Music Group; Mike Dean; and Marisa Pizarro, SVP A&R, Def Jam Recordings.Music Business Worldwide
