DJ King Flow interviews Confidence for Mixtape Addict 95.

French DJ and producer DJ King Flow returns with a new edition of Mixtape Addict, presenting a carefully curated selection of underground hip hop. Broadcast via Scientific Sound Asia, the Vietnam-based international radio station, promoter, music news platform and DJ agency, the programme continues to serve as a global platform for artists committed to the core values of hip hop culture.

DJ King Flow began his journey at the age of fourteen, building a style grounded in boom bap while maintaining a contemporary outlook. His sound reflects the foundations of 90s hip hop while staying firmly connected to the present, consistently supporting emerging voices from across the underground scene.

This ability to connect different generations has earned him recognition from listeners and artists worldwide, establishing him as a trusted selector within lyrical hip hop. Over the years, he has worked alongside influential figures including Ras Kass, Tragedy Khadafi, O.C., Juicy J and Khujo Goodie. These relationships reflect his ongoing commitment to preserving the genre’s lineage.

Since launching Mixtape Addict in 2015, DJ King Flow has developed the series into a respected hub for independent artists, combining hip hop radio broadcasts, interviews and mixtape releases to highlight genuine talent and strengthen the underground community. Alongside his role as a selector, he continues to expand his creative output as a producer.

His instrumental album The Adventures of F.J. Parker blends jazz-influenced melodies, soulful textures, deep grooves and the raw character associated with classic hip hop production. In recent years, he has expanded his catalogue with projects such as Trill Legacy (Instrumentals), a beat-focused release built around layered production and cohesive sonic themes, alongside tracks including Warzone featuring Ice Crimi and Win or Lose featuring Imam T.H.U.G.

His collaboration Money with Lex Lakaiser reinforced his presence within contemporary underground hip hop, while mixtape compilations such as Industry Pirates 2, Industry Pirates 3 and Time Travel (Beat Tape) reflect continued creative activity. His 2025 releases, including Money, Give the Town Some Hope and additional forthcoming collaborations, demonstrate ongoing artistic development and a clear dedication to the craft.

Interview Guest: Confidence.

Confidence is a hip hop producer and artist from Boston, Massachusetts, known for his refined boom bap sound, clean drum programming and strong focus on collaboration. He has built a reputation within the underground through consistent releases that prioritise lyricism, structure and classic hip hop aesthetics.

His production style is rooted in sample-driven beats, often drawing from soul and jazz influences while maintaining a crisp, modern finish. Rather than overcomplicating arrangements, Confidence focuses on clarity and balance, creating space for emcees to deliver focused and impactful performances.

He is widely recognised for his long-standing partnership with M-Dot, with whom he has released multiple projects, including Ego and the Enemy and Library of Sound. These releases helped establish both artists within the international boom bap revival, combining sharp lyricism with cohesive production.

Beyond this collaboration, Confidence has worked with a wide range of respected underground artists, including Edo G, REKS, Ras Kass and other established names within independent hip hop. His catalogue reflects a consistent commitment to quality, with each project built around a strong musical identity and disciplined execution.

As a producer, he also curates collaborative albums that bring together different voices across the underground scene, reinforcing his role not only as a beatmaker but also as a connector within hip hop culture.

Within the context of Mixtape Addict, Confidence represents the producer-driven side of modern boom bap, delivering polished, sample-based production that supports lyrical depth and maintains a clear link to hip hop’s foundations.

The set opens with Understand setting a steady Boom Bap tone, followed by Rollercoaster Part 2 and Melt, where Confidence anchors a run of polished, sample-driven production paired with strong lyrical performances. The energy lifts as Slippin introduces a West Coast Hip Hop edge, while Hocus Pokus expands the palette with a European underground feel.

The momentum builds through No Smoke and OG To BG, balancing raw underground grit with laid-back West Coast flow. Au Nom De and Soulman 2.0 continue that contrast, blending French rap influence with classic Boom Bap structure and keeping the mix varied without losing cohesion.

The middle section leans darker as Life Sucks And Then You Die and Crack Era push into heavier territory, before Broke Routine maintains a cold, stripped-back atmosphere. J’Pourrai Pas introduces a more melodic edge, while Residue and Gawdbrovas Connect bring the focus back to street-driven lyricism and underground intensity.

The closing stretch keeps the tone consistent with tight, uncompromising Boom Bap before DJ King Flow transitions into an in-depth interview with Confidence. Episode 95 stands as a balanced session that moves between East Coast Hip Hop fundamentals, international underground flavours and modern street narratives, all tied together through cohesive production and sharp lyrical focus.

French host DJ King Flow reconnects with long-time collaborator and underground producer Confidence for a detailed conversation on Mixtape Addict, reflecting on longevity, production philosophy and the evolving identity of hip hop. The interview carries a strong sense of history, with both artists tracing their connection back more than a decade to the early 2010s and the release of the Rashad and Confidence project.

As with tradition on the show, the conversation begins with a discussion around influential DJs. Confidence names his late brother, DJ Technique, as his most personal inspiration, describing how watching him DJ as a teenager sparked his own journey into both turntablism and beat-making.

From there, he highlights DJ Premier and Pete Rock as foundational figures, particularly noting Premier’s sharp, rhythmic cuts and Pete Rock’s more musical, layered approach. The contrast between those two styles becomes a recurring theme, especially as Confidence explains how his own production evolved from those influences into something more individual.

A key part of the discussion centres on the enduring appeal of 90s hip hop. Both agree that sample-based boom bap has shown unusual longevity compared to other genres, with Confidence pointing out that over 30 years later, listeners still actively return to that sound. While newer styles like trap have had their moment, there is a clear sense that audiences are reconnecting with more traditional production styles, a shift partly credited to movements led by artists like Westside Gunn and the wider Griselda scene.

When asked about his own listening habits, Confidence offers an honest perspective that reflects a common trajectory among long-time artists. Rather than actively following new hip hop, he now listens more broadly, drawing from older soul, rock and R&B. He references a past conversation with Cormega, who shared a similar mindset years earlier. For Confidence, creating music has become more internal than reactive, with ideas coming from instinct rather than constant exposure to current releases.

The conversation then shifts into his beginnings as a producer. Confidence recalls the moment in the early 1990s when he first heard beats his brother had made, describing it as a turning point that set him on his path. After years of experimenting with different equipment, getting an MPC in 2001 marked a decisive moment where he felt fully equipped to realise his ideas.

Looking back, he sees the release of The Element of Surprise with Rashad around 2011 as the point where his skills fully aligned with his vision, roughly a decade into focused production work. When describing his style, Confidence outlines a progression from imitation to identity.

Early on, he consciously aimed to recreate the feel of Pete Rock and DJ Premier, starting with jazz and soul samples before blending their approaches into a hybrid sound. Over time, this evolved into something more instinctive, centred on selecting and arranging sounds in a way that could stand on their own even without vocals. His aim has always been to create instrumentals that function as complete listening experiences rather than simple backdrops.

A major theme throughout the interview is longevity. Asked about how to stay motivated over decades, Confidence emphasises mindset and consistency over inspiration alone. He argues that producers need to be wired to create regardless of mood, while also continually searching for new sounds and tools to keep the process fresh.

Whether using traditional sampling, digital packs or newer resources, he sees creativity as adaptable, with no strict rules governing how music should be made. The discussion naturally moves into modern technology, including AI in music production.

While he has experimented with it, Confidence remains cautious, viewing it more as a tool for inspiration rather than a replacement for human creativity. Both he and DJ King Flow acknowledge its potential, particularly when used as a source to sample and reinterpret, but stress that the producer’s identity still lies in how those elements are shaped and combined.

For younger producers, Confidence offers grounded advice based on experience. He warns against relying on high-profile features as a shortcut to success, explaining that even collaborations with established artists do not guarantee career progression or financial return. Instead, he encourages consistent output, working with artists who genuinely fit the sound, and focusing on building a catalogue over time.

His own breakthrough came not from star features but from a cohesive project built on chemistry and quality. This point is reinforced when discussing the Rashad album, which both agree stands as an underground classic despite having no major guest appearances or upfront financial backing. It serves as an example of how authenticity and alignment between artist and producer can create something lasting without industry intervention.

Looking ahead, Confidence outlines several upcoming projects, including a new release with Jay Farao and A1 through a European label, along with more instrumental work and collaborations. His current focus leans more towards instrumental releases, reflecting both his artistic direction and the flexibility of modern distribution.

The second part of the interview closes on a more personal note, with both artists reflecting on their long-standing connection and the importance of international support. The conversation highlights the value of cross-continental links between the US and Europe, with both recognising how global audiences continue to sustain underground hip hop culture.

Overall, the interview presents Confidence as a producer grounded in tradition but open to evolution. His approach balances respect for classic boom bap with a practical understanding of modern production realities, while his perspective on longevity, creativity and independence offers insight into what it takes to sustain a career in hip hop over decades.

The live broadcast is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, from 8 to 10 PM Indochina Time (ICT), and a replay is planned for Saturday from 8 to 10 AM (ICT).

DJ King Flow Mixtape Addict episode 95.

Rashad & Confidence - Understand

M-Dot, Masta Ace & Confidence - Rollercoaster Part 2

Big Dese & Confidence feat. Oak Lonetree - Melt

Xzibit, B-Real & Demrick - Slippin

Jeff Le Nerf & Kyo Itachi - Hocus Pokus

Venom & Reef The Lost Cauze - No Smoke

Snoop Dogg - OG To BG

Le Rat Luciano - Au Nom De

Rampage & Izzy Ice - Soulman 2.0

Obleak & Yotto Beatz - Life Sucks And Then You Die

Barz Banga & AliBlack - Crack Era (Prod Stan Da Man)

Daniel Son & Futurewave - Broke Routine

Jeff Le Nerf & Kyo Itachi - J'Pourrai Pas (Azaia Remix)

Flee Lord & OT The Real - Residue

Tone Chop, Grea8gawd & Frost Gamble - Gawdbrovas Connect

DJ King Flow - Interview With Confidence

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