Grammy-award winning recording and mixing engineer MixedByAli (real name Derek Ali) has just released a fire new mixtape via Top Dawg Entertainment’s SoundCloud that features a decidedly #throwback bent and a whole lot of classic bangers and smooth beats.

The mixtape comes out at the same time as an interview with website Merry Jane, where he talks about his first time in the studio with hip-hop legend Dr Dre: the two apparently sipped on Tanqueray, and Dre schooled Ali on all things music production. Ali, who was recently named one of Forbes’ 2016 30 Under 30 in the music category, is a growing force within the music industry, having worked with some of hip-hop’s biggest names including Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, ScHoolboy Q, and Drake.

You can check out Ali’s interview with Snoop’s Merry Jane in the gallery above, and while you’re at it, have a listen to the mixtape below.

• Words: Juliet Mentor