DJ King Flow interviews 4-IZE for Mixtape Addict 53.

French DJ and producer DJ King Flow has announced the playlist and special guest for the latest episode of his renowned weekly show, Mixtape Addict. This week’s segment includes an exclusive interview with the esteemed 4-IZE, further solidifying the show’s reputation as a leading platform for underground hip-hop culture. Scientific Sound Asia, a significant player in the Asian music industry, continues to back the series as a radio station, music news site, event organiser, and DJ agency.

DJ King Flow, an exceptional talent from France, began his musical career at the age of 14 and has since established a distinct presence in the international hip-hop scene. Known for his dynamic mixtapes and innovative outlook, he has been praised for pushing genre boundaries while staying true to hip-hop’s core traditions.

At the cutting edge of modern hip-hop production, DJ King Flow is celebrated for his inventive mixing techniques and genre-crossing creativity. His collaborations with influential artists such as Ras Kass, Torae, Juicy J, Tragedy Khadafi, O.C., and Khujo Goodie of Goodie Mob highlight his versatility and widespread respect within the global rap community.

His music crosses borders, acting as a powerful medium for storytelling, emotion, and cultural exchange. Through unwavering dedication to his craft, DJ King Flow continues to inspire both new artists and long-time fans, establishing himself as a leading figure in contemporary hip-hop.

Since starting his career in 2012, he has forged meaningful connections across major American cities, including New York, Dallas, Providence, Miami, and Seattle. Alongside his long-time collaborator Young Amsterdam, he has cultivated a vibrant, cross-border rap community. Their shared passion for authentic hip-hop has led them on extensive journeys across the United States, fostering partnerships and encouraging creative collaboration.

In 2015, DJ King Flow launched Mixtape Addict, a radio show that quickly gained popularity on stations globally. By 2019, the platform expanded with Mixtape Addict Report, a video interview series offering in-depth discussions with key figures in hip-hop. Touring France, Canada, and New York, the series marked a new chapter in delivering raw, unfiltered hip-hop journalism to international audiences.

With 4-IZE featured in this week’s episode, Mixtape Addict continues to highlight voices that define and challenge the limits of hip-hop. DJ King Flow’s commitment to showcasing genuine artistry and his dedication to connecting global rap communities remain central to his ever-evolving legacy.

Interview Guest: 4-IZE.

4-IZE is a veteran hip-hop artist with deep roots in both the underground and mainstream scenes. Originally from Chicago, he began rapping in the early '90s as part of the Loudmuth Hooligans before relocating to Atlanta in 1994, where he became a respected figure in the city’s hip-hop community.

Known for his sharp lyricism, wit, and commanding delivery, 4-IZE carved out a unique lane with a style that bridges classic boom bap sensibilities and modern versatility. His early national exposure came through notable features on Ludacris’ multi-platinum albums Back for the First Time and Word of Mouf, where his dynamic voice and punchline-heavy verses helped him stand out.

From there, he continued to develop a reputation as a skilled lyricist and a dedicated representative of hip-hop culture. In 2020, he released Look Into My IZE, a full-length solo album packed with heavyweight collaborations and production from hip-hop legends including Swizz Beatz, 9th Wonder, Beatminerz, and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League.

The album features appearances from Talib Kweli, Sean Price, Planet Asia, and Ludacris, and was praised by hip-hop heads for its lyricism and authentic boom bap production. 4-IZE is also one-half of the duo Ultra Beast, alongside Señor Kaos.

Their album United (2019) continued his streak of concept-driven, bar-heavy music and included production from Don Cannon, D.R.U.G.S Beats, and Beatminerz. Whether solo or in collaboration, 4-IZE remains committed to pushing the culture forward while staying rooted in hip-hop’s lyrical foundation.

He’s also known for his live freestyles and energy behind the mic, with standout sessions like his High Off Life freestyle showcasing his skill in the moment. Off-stage, 4-IZE is active in the independent music scene as a producer, writer, and A&R, supporting the next wave of talent and contributing to the genre’s evolution.

As the interview guest on the show, 4-IZE brings decades of experience, battle-tested bars, and a deep love for hip-hop. Whether talking about his creative process, his journey through the industry, or his ongoing work with legends and up-and-coming artists, this interview is set to be a must-listen for anyone who appreciates real lyricism, boom bap music, and the culture at large.

Mixtape Addict 53 by DJ King Flow opens with 4-IZE setting a strong lyrical foundation through Time To See, WeaponIZE and Bag Full Of Seafood, combining sharp delivery with varied production textures that balance Boom Bap structure and Southern influence. Late Nite then smooths the tone with The Musalini and DJ Fresh, before Andare Via and L’Envers De La Medaille expand the palette with a more international and reflective edge.

The momentum builds through Whatcha Talking About and Body Bag, bringing the focus back to raw drum-driven energy, while Times Square maintains a dark, underground hip hop atmosphere. Readings On The Wall sharpens the lyrical intensity, leading into Super Powers and The Hart Of New York, both rooted in classic East Coast Boom Bap with strong narrative presence.

The middle stretch keeps the pressure consistent as Think Critical introduces DJ cuts into the mix, followed by The 1st Time, which blends traditional Boom Bap with a modern collaborative feel. Gee Ride and Don’t Be Telling Me continue the street-focused tone, while Hated pushes into a heavier, more aggressive direction.

The closing run moves through standout classics and deeper cuts as Thuggin anchors the set with its unmistakable Madlib groove, followed by Last Line Of Defence and I Gotta Get Down, both reinforcing the episode’s connection to Boom Bap heritage. Thank God For That White brings a final dose of East Coast hip hop authority before DJ King Flow closes with an in-depth interview with 4-IZE, tying the episode together through a blend of lyrical focus, underground grit and cross-regional influence.

The interview focuses on DJ culture, mixtapes, storytelling in hip hop, artistic identity, and the importance of originality at a time when many listeners are searching for something more substantial. Early in the discussion, 4-IZE names DJ Premier and DJ Jazzy Jeff as his all-time favourite DJs.

He explains that seeing Jazzy Jeff live in the early 1990s left a lasting impression on him, while Premier’s consistency, production and scratching make him impossible to overlook. That balance between technical respect and personal inspiration runs through the rest of the interview, especially as the conversation turns toward mixtape culture and what it meant for hip hop.

Asked whether he misses the mixtape format, 4-IZE says he absolutely does. For him, mixtapes were the place where listeners found exclusives, new records and experiments that would not always fit on official albums. He points out that artists could take more risks, use more samples and simply have more fun.

He also notes that the right DJ cosign could make a record feel even more important, which is one reason the mixtape era still carries such weight for many artists and fans. When DJ King Flow asks how he would describe his style, 4-IZE gives an answer that reflects both his personality and his craft.

He presents himself as a traditional, boisterous lyricist with elements of battle rap, sarcasm, education, comedy and animated commentary. He also references influences and qualities associated with artists such as Common, KRS-One, Immortal Technique, Eazy-E and André 3000, while making it clear that his own approach is rooted in wit, storytelling and saying the things many others avoid.

A major theme in the interview is his refusal to be boxed in by the narrow subject matter that dominates so much contemporary rap. 4-IZE says too many artists have already covered the same ground, violence, drugs and overused clichés, and he sees it as his role to prove that rappers can still be technical, sharp and entertaining while talking about a much wider range of topics.

His record about seafood is mentioned as one example of that humour and range, and he makes the point that storytelling remains one of hip hop’s most valuable but underused skills. He also speaks at length about timeless music and what gives it staying power.

In his view, music lasts when it contains layers, when it offers more than one immediate interpretation, and when listeners can return to it years later and hear something they did not catch the first time. He argues that vocabulary, detail and multiple levels of meaning are what separate lasting work from disposable songs that reveal everything at once and have nothing left to offer after the first listen.

The conversation then shifts toward advice for younger artists. 4-IZE encourages them to believe in themselves, keep studying, stay original and trust their own perspective. He stresses that every artist has a story that only they can tell properly, and that self-knowledge is essential.

He also speaks bluntly about standards, comparing the craft to martial arts and arguing that too many people want the rewards without putting in the necessary work. In his view, artists should earn their position rather than simply presenting themselves as masters before they have developed the discipline and technique to justify it.

Another important part of the interview covers the current state of the industry. 4-IZE acknowledges that there is an agenda behind much of what gets pushed to the front, especially music built around destructive themes, but he also believes that audiences are beginning to see through it. As listeners become more aware, he feels there is more space again for honest, layered and authentic material.

He sees this shift as part of a wider awakening, where people are beginning to recognise manufactured trends for what they are and are returning to music with more depth. The international side of the interview is also significant.

4-IZE says he wants to tour Europe and is actively building the right relationships to make that happen. He mentions France, Spain, Italy, Amsterdam, Japan and Belize as places he hopes to visit, and he speaks enthusiastically about the idea of finally travelling and connecting directly with audiences outside the United States.

For him, Europe represents an important space where lyric-driven hip hop is still respected, and he seems genuinely eager to experience that first-hand. The interview closes with 4-IZE encouraging listeners to check out his recent project All Seeing Eyes on Me, and to stay ready for upcoming work, including a new release with Bronze Nazareth.

He thanks DJ King Flow for the platform and leaves the audience with a message of self-belief, spiritual grounding and artistic perseverance. Throughout the exchange, he comes across as thoughtful, humorous and committed to keeping lyrical, intelligent hip hop alive without losing the sense of fun that made the culture powerful in the first place.

DJ King Flow Mixtape Addict episode 53 (first hour).

4-IZE - Time To See (prod by D.R.U.G.S Beats)

4-IZE - WeaponIZE (prod by D.R.U.G.S Beats)

4-IZE - Bag Full Of Seafood (prod by HONORABLE C-NOTE)

The Musalini & DJ Fresh - Late Nite

Napoleon Da Legend & Clypto - Andare Via

2spee Gonzales - L'Envers De La Medaille (Prod DJ King Flow)

Kail Problems & DJ Hoppa - Whatcha Talking About

Gran Centennial - Body Bag

The Bad Seed & Shade Cobain - Times Square

Casablanca The Gawd & Che Noir - Readings On The Wall

REKS & Artisin - Super Powers

Agallah - The Hart Of New York

oBleak - Think Critical (Cuts by Tone Spliff)

Jamo Gang, DJ Premier & Slug - The 1st Time

Snyp Life - Gee Ride

El Gant & Shyste - Don't Be Telling Me

Lord Goat - Hated

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Thuggin

Dilated Peoples - Last Line Of Defence (Prod The Alchemist)

Casual - I Gotta Get Down (Prod The Alchemist)

Fat Joe - Thank God For That White (Prod DJ Premier)

DJ King Flow - Interview With 4-IZE

Listen on Mixcloud here.