DJ King Flow interviews Johnny Slash for Mixtape Addict 97.

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, developing a style grounded in boom bap while maintaining a contemporary outlook. His sound draws from the foundations of 90s hip hop while remaining firmly connected to the present, consistently supporting emerging voices across the underground scene.

This ability to bridge 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, relationships that reflect his continued 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 work 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), alongside tracks including Warzone featuring Ice Crimi and Win or Lose featuring Imam T.H.U.G.

His collaboration Money with Lex Lakaiser and releases such as Give the Town Some Hope reflect continued activity into 2025, alongside ongoing collaborations and mixtape projects that demonstrate steady artistic development and a clear dedication to the craft.

Interview Guest: Johnny Slash.

Johnny Slash is an underground hip hop producer associated with the East Coast scene, known for his dark, sample-driven boom bap production and consistent work within the independent circuit. His sound is built around hard drums, gritty textures and cinematic loops, reflecting a raw aesthetic that aligns closely with traditional hip hop foundations.

He has developed a strong reputation through collaborations with artists such as Coast Locastro, where their joint work highlights a cohesive balance between stripped-back production and direct, street-focused lyricism. Tracks like Showin Ass, Wannabe Frenz featuring Lil Vic and Meanwhile In Gotham featuring Apathy and Lil Dee showcase his ability to craft beats that support narrative-driven verses while maintaining a strong underground identity.

Johnny Slash’s production style often leans into darker tonal palettes, combining minimal arrangements with heavy drum patterns and layered samples. This approach creates space for emcees to deliver focused performances, reinforcing the importance of rhythm and clarity over unnecessary complexity.

While operating largely outside mainstream visibility, his catalogue continues to grow through independent releases and collaborations, positioning him within a network of producers and artists dedicated to preserving boom bap’s core elements. His work is frequently featured across DJ-curated platforms and mixtapes, where consistency and sonic identity remain key.

Within the context of Mixtape Addict, Johnny Slash represents the producer-driven backbone of underground hip hop, delivering raw, cohesive beats that support lyrical depth and maintain a strong connection to the genre’s roots.

The session opens with Hail Mary and Showin Ass, immediately establishing a raw Boom Bap foundation with gritty underground energy. Gangster pushes the tone further into hardcore territory, while 40 Shots maintains that stripped-back, street-focused intensity.

A smoother shift arrives through Champagne Bottle and Smoke N Pray, bringing a laid-back West Coast rap feel before Crack Era and Rap Gods return to sharp East Coast hip-hop lyricism. I Remember introduces a reflective moment, adding depth to the mix without breaking its flow.

The energy builds again with Splinter Cell and Creatures, both delivering aggressive cypher-style performances. Halal continues the underground momentum, while Hollis 2 Southside injects high-energy classic New York attitude.

The closing stretch blends styles through Crazy Bout A Thot, adding a melodic West Coast touch before DJ King Flow transitions into an in-depth interview with Johnny Slash. Episode 97 stands as a cohesive Boom Bap session built on underground grit, strong regional identity and consistent lyrical focus.

DJ King Flow welcomed Johnny Slash to Mixtape Addict 97 for a producer-focused interview centred on mixtape culture, underground hip hop, beat-making, and creative independence.

Johnny Slash named DJ Premier as his favourite DJ, praising his live sets and presence beyond production.

He also mentioned The Alchemist, highlighting the energy and impact of his performances. From there, the conversation turned to mixtape culture, with Johnny saying he misses the mixtape format and dislikes that streaming has become the dominant way people consume music.

He spoke about the possibility of a future Johnny Slash mixtape or compilation, explaining that he has been recording more vocals and could see himself putting together a project built from singles, unreleased material, instrumentals, or reworked music. He also discussed wanting to create more instrumental versions of projects, including the recent album he made with A.M. Early Morning.

The interview then explored possible DJ collaborations. Johnny mentioned his past work with Hopa, but said Tone Spliff would be someone he would like to work with more. He praised Tone Spliff’s cuts and consistency, while King Flow noted how naturally his scratches fit over Johnny’s production.

Johnny also discussed his work with Coast Locastro, describing their chemistry as aggressive, raw and funny. He said Coast’s direct, confrontational bars fit his beats well, creating music that is hard-edged but also entertaining. He also reflected on how Coast influenced him to bring more humour into his own writing.

Although Johnny is currently based in Houston, Texas, he explained that his sound is not rooted in the traditional Houston style. Originally from Washington state, he connected more with East Coast underground hip hop than with the Southern rap sound around him. Still, he showed respect for Houston artists and agreed that unexpected collaborations can create powerful results.

A major part of the interview focused on Johnny’s development as a producer. He explained that he first recorded rap music in middle school, later performed locally, and eventually began making beats because he wanted his own production.

After investing in equipment, he fell in love with beat-making and gradually shifted from rapping to producing. Over time, people began buying his beats, which eventually allowed him to leave his job and pursue music full-time.

For younger producers, Johnny’s advice was direct: know your worth, do not sell yourself short, and stay consistent. He warned that excitement over working with known artists can lead producers into bad deals, so they need to understand when to say no or ask for more. He also stressed that doing music full-time is difficult and requires more than making beats. Producers have to promote themselves, create content, build income streams and manage the business side.

The technical side of the interview covered his main tools, including Native Instruments Maschine, Ableton, the SP404 MKII, hardware compressors, and different samplers. He explained that Maschine remains his main production tool because he knows it well and can work quickly with it. He also talked about using synthesiser plugins, vintage-style sounds, and hardware such as the Akai S950, ASR-10 and SP1200.

Johnny reflected on the balance between sampling and composition. He said he started heavily with samples, later moved into more composed and synthesiser-driven work, and is now trying to find a better balance between both approaches. He also mentioned plans to record guitar from his partner, who plays in the band Scar Head, and use those live elements in future production.

The conversation also touched on mobile beat-making, with King Flow mentioning BandLab and Johnny recommending Koala. Both agreed that the equipment does not matter as much as the creativity behind it. Johnny pointed out that some producers can make strong beats on simple portable devices, proving that ideas matter more than expensive gear.

Looking ahead, Johnny revealed that he is close to finishing his own album, Spaceship Level, dedicated to a friend who recently passed away and encouraged him to rap. He described the project as organic and unforced, featuring Fred Durst, Daren Benton, Jack Progresso, Coast, G-Mo Skee’s nephew, Gondre, Bizarre from D12, and others. He also mentioned ongoing work with Blizz from Juice and several other projects.

Johnny closed by thanking his supporters and promising to keep releasing beats and music. The interview showed him as a producer with deep underground roots, a practical understanding of the business, and a creative mindset that keeps moving between samples, synthesis, vocals, live instrumentation and mixtape culture.

The live broadcast will take place on Tuesday, May 5th, 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 97.

Johnny Slash, Coast Locastro & Marley B - Hail Mary

Johnny Slash & Coast Locastro - Showin Ass

Obleak, Outcast Gawd Lord El & J Vengeance - Gangster (Prod Johnny Slash)

Flee Lord & Starz Coleman - 40 Shots

Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa & Harry Fraud - Champagne Bottle

Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa & Harry Fraud - Smoke N Pray

Barz Banga & AliBlack - Crack Era

Dollarmentary - Rap Gods (Prod Vinny Idol)

Young Amsterdam - I Remember

Obleak, Yotto Beatz, Recognize Ali & Unscathed - Splinter Cell

Stu Bangas, A.G. & Sadat X - Creatures

Da Inphamus Amadeuz, Shah Leezy & Tahmell - Halal

Onyx & DMC - Hollis 2 Southside

The Outfit & Butch Cassidy - Crazy Bout A Thot (Prod DJ King Flow)

DJ King Flow - Interview With Johnny Slash

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