top of page

DJ King Flow interviews D/R Period for Mixtape Addict 15.

  • Sep 16, 2024
  • 9 min read

Updated: Apr 2

DJ King Flow Mixtape Addict logo and banner with D/R Period in the upper part and Mixtape Addict logos below, colour image.

French DJ King Flow has announced the roster for his upcoming weekly program, Mixtape Addict, which will include an interview with D/R Period. Scientific Sound Asia, a leading figure in the Asian music industry, functions as a radio station, Music news site, event coordinator, and DJ agency, engaging with an international audience.


DJ King Flow, a gifted artist from France, has left a significant impression on the music scene since the age of 14. Renowned for his compelling mixtapes, he has captured global attention and admiration. His love for Rap music ignites his imagination, compelling him to push boundaries within the genre and earn recognition and praise across the industry.


DJ King Flow has established himself as a trendsetter in music production, continuously expanding the possibilities of sound mixing and fusion. His work with respected artists such as Ras Kass, Torae, Juicy J, Tragedy Khadafi, O.C., and Khujo Goodie of Goodie Mob showcases his adaptability and expertise in seamlessly combining different musical genres into a unified experience.


DJ King Flow transcends cultural boundaries to deeply connect with audiences through his music, which is deeply rooted in his passion for the genre's illustrious heritage. His beats serve as a conduit for expressing emotions, narrating tales, and sharing personal encounters. His unwavering commitment to his artistry and his relentless pursuit of musical perfection set him apart as a trailblazer in the industry, motivating and influencing up-and-coming artists and music enthusiasts on a global scale.


Since 2012, DJ King Flow has been dedicated to bridging cities such as New York, Dallas, Providence, Miami, and Seattle, collaborating with his esteemed partner Young Amsterdam to cultivate a thriving transatlantic Rap scene. This ambitious endeavour has entailed extensive travel across the United States to establish connections and facilitate partnerships that transcend geographical borders.


DJ King Flow introduced Mixtape Addict in late 2015, which swiftly garnered international acclaim on hip hop radio stations across the globe. In early 2019, the team embarked on tours across France, Canada, and New York, launching the Mixtape Addict Report, a pioneering video interview series featuring discussions with rap legends and prominent hip-hop artists. This undertaking represented a significant achievement in disseminating hip-hop news to a worldwide audience.


American Hip Hop producer, rapper and label owner D/R Period a.k.a Darryl Pittman sitting in a chair in his recording studio, colour image.

Interview Guest: D/R Period.


Darryl Pittman, better known as D/R Period, is a name that resonates deeply within the hip-hop community. As a prolific hip hop producer and record producer, D/R Period has significantly shaped the sounds of 90s hip hop and beyond. His journey began in the vibrant streets of Brooklyn, New York, where hip-hop dance and music were more than just art forms, they were a way of life.


D/R Period first gained recognition as the producer behind M.O.P.'s debut album “To the Death” in 1994. His energetic beats and catchy hooks quickly made him a sought-after hip-hop producer. One of his most notable contributions is the iconic track “Ante Up,” which remains a staple in hip-hop radio stations and hip-hop playlists to this day.


Beyond his work with M.O.P., D/R Period has collaborated with a plethora of artists, contributing to the rich tapestry of hip-hop history. His influence extends to hip-hop radio, where his tracks are frequently played, keeping the essence of 90s hip-hop alive for new generations of listeners.


Besides his production endeavours, D/R Period has also gained recognition as a performer. He initiated his solo career in 2004 with the release of the singles "What's Ya Problem!" and "Throw It" under his own label, RockBoy Records, both of which he produced and included guest vocalists.


He made his debut as a rapper with the single "D.R.'s in Here." His 2012 single "Money" received attention after being featured in an episode of the TV series "Breaking Bad." His energetic stage presence and original dance moves have been an inspiration to many in the hip-hop dance community.


As hip-hop news continues to evolve, D/R Period remains a relevant and influential figure. His contributions to the genre are not just a part of hip-hop history; they are a testament to the enduring power of hip-hop culture. For those tuning into hip-hop radio stations or attending hip-hop events, D/R Period’s legacy is ever-present, a reminder of the genre’s rich and dynamic history.


Episode 15 of Mixtape Addict opens with the raw East Coast hip hop power of M.O.P’s Ante Up (Remix) and Smoothe Da Hustler’s Broken Language, both produced by the legendary D/R Period. REKS’ Jump Shots and Cormega’s The True Meaning follow, reinforcing the show’s authentic Boom Bap tone. The Diplomats’ Real Niggas and Hey Ma inject early-2000s nostalgia, blending Harlem swagger with D/R Period’s signature sound.


As the mix unfolds, Bang featuring Royce Da 5'9 and Benny The Butcher pairs modern lyricism with traditional grit, while Float by Termanology (produced by Nottz) and So Glad by Shabaam Sahdeeq carry on the underground hip hop spirit. Top Of The Pyramids by Cam’ron & Styles P keeps the energy elevated, leading into Method Man’s soulful Round & Round (Remix) and Ayo featuring Redman and Saukrates, both masterful examples of Classic Hip Hop production.


The midsection shines a light on DJ King Flow’s own creations, including Mixtape Addict featuring Lefty Pachino, the vivid Ermac with Obleak and Tone Spliff, and Rat Race by K.A.A.N & DJ Hoppa. These tracks showcase Flow’s ability to fuse lyrical artistry with timeless production. Got That by MC Eiht & DJ Premier and Yesterday & Today by Murs close this segment with deep beats and introspection.


The mix itself reflects that broader outlook. Episode 15 moves through tracks that foreground hard production, underground energy and lyric-driven performance, creating the kind of setting where a producer’s philosophy matters as much as any one record. The sequencing supports the interview well because it frames the conversation inside a world of beats, bars and DJ-centred selection rather than turning it into a detached biography. By the time Dr. Period begins speaking, the listener is already inside the kind of sonic space he values, one where originality, impact and texture still carry weight.


This conversation provides deeper insight into Dr. Period’s view of hip hop as a full cultural lifestyle rather than a narrow industry category. Asked about his all-time favourite DJs, he names DJ Scratch and Jazzy Jay, and his explanation is revealing. He speaks not just about reputation, but about the physical craft of DJing, pulling records from crates, organising them properly, working with real equipment and supporting music because it is genuinely good rather than because it arrives with a payment package.


That distinction matters throughout the interview. He is not anti-business, but he is clearly against the idea that support should be reduced to transactions alone. A major theme in the discussion is originality. Dr. Period is blunt about how many current artists and producers are simply following existing patterns rather than creating something that forces the culture forward.


In his view, being technically competent is not enough if all you are doing is reproducing what is already popular. He argues that real quality begins when someone brings in a sound, style or perspective that nobody else is offering and makes people pay attention to it. That belief shapes the whole interview and connects directly to the way he talks about producers, DJs and artists all having a responsibility to keep the craft evolving.


His comments on current production are some of the most pointed in the conversation. Rather than singling out individual names for praise, he explains that a lot of modern production sounds too similar to motivate him creatively. He describes an environment where many producers are drawing from the same packs, the same loops and the same software habits, which makes it harder for distinctive signature sounds to emerge.


He contrasts that with an earlier period when producers like Marley Marl, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Bomb Squad and Easy Mo Bee all carried clearly identifiable sonic identities. The difference, for him, is not nostalgia for older gear. It is the loss of the search itself, the time spent digging for sound, shaping it and turning it into something unmistakably personal.


That leads into one of the most useful parts of the interview, his advice to younger producers. Dr. Period tells them to build an identity rather than relying on a tag, to experiment more deeply with sound design and to think beyond hit-making as the sole purpose of production. He stresses that the real game is catalogue building, publishing and understanding where instrumentals can live outside traditional rap releases.


In his telling, producers should be studying television, film, trailers, music beds and radio placements just as seriously as they study drums and samples. What gives this section weight is that he is not speaking theoretically. He frames it as knowledge learned through his own experience, including the ability to make money from music without always needing an artist on the record.


That business-minded outlook is one of the clearest distinguishing features of the interview. Dr. Period speaks at length about the importance of understanding multiple revenue streams and explains that some of the best opportunities come from areas younger producers may not initially pay attention to.


He wants them to think in terms of long-term infrastructure rather than quick records, and that philosophy now extends into his own mentoring work. He mentions a new one-to-one workshop through his website, designed to help producers understand where they are, what they need and how to get closer to their goals. That initiative fits naturally with the rest of the conversation because it grows directly out of his belief that knowledge should circulate rather than remain locked away.


The interview also touches on scoring and visual media, which opens up another side of his creative identity. Asked which films he wishes he had scored, Dr. Period names titles such as Paid in Full, New Jack City, King of New York, Boyz n the Hood, Set It Off, Lean on Me and Cooley High. The list is revealing because it shows how strongly he connects to films that carry social atmosphere, strong musical identities and a lasting emotional charge.


He also points out that he is a musician in a fuller sense, someone who plays multiple instruments, and that these skills are especially valuable in scoring work where arrangement and mood-building often matter more than straightforward beat programming. This part of the interview widens the picture considerably, showing him not just as a hip hop producer, but as a musician who sees composition as part of a larger visual and emotional framework.


Throughout the conversation, Dr. Period keeps returning to the idea that hip hop is a lifestyle. He talks about it in terms of movement, dress, thought, support systems and the need for every part of the culture to remain active if the whole thing is going to survive. That is why he places so much emphasis on DJs supporting records they genuinely believe in, producers developing their own sound, and artists refusing to settle for imitation.


For him, when one part of that chain weakens, the whole lifestyle begins to flatten into routine.

The closing section of the interview shifts toward his current movement. He directs listeners to his website, speaks about new music built to motivate and uplift, and references the broader Rock Boy framework around him, including management, label support and collaborators.


That final stretch feels less like a sales pitch than a continuation of everything he has already said. Even when discussing his present catalogue, he frames it in terms of purpose, consistency and community rather than simple product placement. Taken as a whole, this edition of Mixtape Addict presents Dr. Period as a producer who remains deeply committed to both the art and the mechanics of the culture.


The mix places him in an environment that values beats, bars and DJ tradition, while the interview reveals a much wider perspective on how music should be made, protected and developed. He comes across as someone who still believes originality matters, who understands the difference between fashion and foundation, and who is trying to pass on enough knowledge to keep the next generation from repeating avoidable mistakes. In that sense, the episode works not only as an artist profile but as a practical statement on what hip hop production can still be when it is treated as both craft and calling.


Mixtape Addict episode 15.

M.O.P - Ante Up (Remix) (Prod DR Period)

Smoothe Da Hustler - Broken Language (Prod DR Period)

REKS - Jump Shots (Prod Buckwild)

Kadiz - On Point

The Diplomats - Real Niggas (Prod DR Period)

Cormega - The True Meaning (Prod DR Period)

Courtney Bell, Royce Da 5'9 & Benny The Butcher - Bang

DJ King Flow & Lefty Pachino - Mixtape Addict

Thunny Brown & Cuzzo Sosay - Hand On The Bible

Shabaam Sahdeeq - So Glad

Cam'ron & Styles P - Top Of The Pyramids

The Diplomats - Hey Ma (Prod DR Period)

Termanology - Float (Prod Nottz)

Method Man & Jonell - Round & Round (Remix) (Prod Hi Tek)

K.A.A.N & DJ Hoppa - Rat Race

OBLEAK, Mr Hyde & Tone Spliff - Ermac

MC Eiht & DJ Premier - Got That

Murs - Yesterday & Today (Prod 9th Wonder)

Method Man, Redman & Saukrates - Ayo (Prod Pete Rock)

50 Cent & Mobb Deep - Outta Control (Remix) (Prod Dr Dre)

DJ King Flow - interview with D/R Period


Listen on Mixcloud here.


Comments


bottom of page