The roar of the Super Bowl crowd, the electric energy of a live performance, the undeniable power of a hit song – these are the moments that define success in the entertainment industry. For DJ and producer Mustard, born Dijon McFarlane, February 9, 2025, was a pinnacle. Sharing the stage during the Super Bowl halftime show, hyping up his friend Kendrick Lamar as two of Mustard’s most impactful produced tracks, "Not Like Us" and "N95," echoed through the stadium and into millions of homes, was a testament to his undeniable talent. Yet, amidst this career high, a familiar internal battle surfaced.
Mustard, standing at 5’7", found himself at 220 pounds, a figure that, while a significant improvement from his past, still gnawed at him. This yo-yo effect – the cycle of losing and regaining weight – had become a frustrating constant, even on the grandest stage of his professional life. It highlighted a deeper truth: his external success didn’t always translate to internal peace when it came to his health.
The Weight of Success: Early Struggles and Unhealthy Habits
The journey to the Super Bowl stage had been paved with an impressive musical legacy, but also with habits that were taking a serious toll. Back in 2018, Mustard tipped the scales at a staggering 340 pounds. The fast-paced, high-stakes world of music production, filled with late nights, demanding schedules, and the allure of instant gratification, had fueled a lifestyle that was unsustainable.
His early days of late-night fast food evolved into a more sophisticated, yet equally detrimental, diet. Private chefs would whip up decadent, often fried, meals. These were frequently accompanied by alcohol – wine, tequila – and, most alarmingly, "lean," a dangerous concoction of prescription-grade cough syrup mixed with soda and candy. Mustard himself admits that lean only exacerbated his hunger, creating a vicious cycle of consumption. "It’s soda and you’re adding more sugar," he explains, underscoring the deceptive nature of his past choices.
A Wake-Up Call and a Turning Point
The turning point, as it often does, came with a profound loss. In 2019, the passing of his friend Fredo Santana, a Chicago rapper who succumbed to kidney and liver failure due to Xanax and lean abuse, sent shockwaves through Mustard’s life. While Mustard himself had already begun to distance himself from lean, the tragedy was a stark, undeniable warning.
"I wasn’t even drinking it that much by then," Mustard recalls. "But I had a full bottle of lean, and it was expensive lean, and I poured it down the drain and never drank lean again." This decisive action marked a significant shift. Coupled with changes in his eating habits, this commitment led to an initial 70-pound weight loss.
Shortly after this personal breakthrough, Mustard experienced significant financial success, selling half of his music catalog for an amount that dwarfed his previous earnings. However, this newfound wealth, combined with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, triggered a resurgence of his existing hypochondria. "I weighed like 270 and said to myself, ‘If I get Covid, I am going to die’," he remembers. This fear, coupled with a sense of unease about his success, fueled his anxiety and introspection.
Embracing Movement and Mindful Eating
During the isolation of the pandemic, Mustard found solace and a sense of control in simple, accessible forms of movement. "Just all these crazy thoughts," he reflects on his mental state. "So I started walking around my block. My walking turned into a sprint. Then three sprints turned into five." This gradual escalation of physical activity, coupled with the introduction of Peloton classes, laid the groundwork for a more sustainable fitness regimen.
Mustard’s long-standing battle with his weight became a central focus. "I’ve been trying to lose weight for my whole adult life," he admits. "I’ve had five different trainers. I’ve done every diet you can think of." The persistent medical advice – a fatty liver, high blood pressure – served as constant reminders of the toll his lifestyle was taking. "I got tired of hearing that," he says, a sentiment many can relate to when faced with recurring health concerns.
The Power of Repetition and a Supportive Circle
The key to Mustard’s sustained progress wasn’t a radical new diet or an intense, short-lived workout plan. Instead, it was the embrace of consistency and the influence of his supportive network. He credits his camera guy, described as "super into health," with introducing him to a pivotal shift in his dietary approach.
Mustard discovered a simple, yet effective, meal that he could rely on: grilled tilapia, spinach, and corn. He incorporated this into his daily routine, a testament to the power of finding foods that are both nutritious and enjoyable. This dietary consistency, combined with his burgeoning love for physical activity, led to a significant milestone: on his 30th birthday in 2021, the scale read 215 pounds.
Today, at 35, Mustard maintains a weight of around 225 pounds, a healthy and sustainable range for his frame. His fitness routine has become a source of joy and a testament to his extremist tendencies when it comes to self-improvement. He found a passion for tennis, introduced to him by U.K. singer Ella Mai about four years ago. This sport has become his daily outlet, with sessions lasting a couple of hours, burning an impressive 1,000 calories per workout.
"I’m just an extremist," he laughs. "When I start to feel like I’m gonna be good at anything, I’m going to try to be better than all my friends." This competitive spirit, channeled into a healthy pursuit, fuels his dedication.
Beyond the Scale: A Mindset Transformation
Mustard’s fitness journey is far more than just a story of pounds lost. It’s a narrative of profound inner and outer transformation. The physical changes are evident, but more impactful is the shedding of the self-deceptive narratives he had constructed.
"I would always tell people that I’m comfortable with my weight," he confesses. "I was comfortable. But now I feel like I was just covering up that I didn’t think I could actually lose it." This vulnerability is a powerful reminder that true progress often begins with acknowledging our limitations and confronting our fears.
His ultimate goal is to reach a weight between 190 and 200 pounds. "That would be perfect right there. I just want to walk around at a healthy weight," he states, emphasizing a focus on long-term well-being rather than a fleeting number on the scale.
A Symphony of Success: Music, Health, and the Future
Mustard’s life continues to be a vibrant composition of professional achievements and personal growth. He’s recently launched a condiment collaboration with Heinz, creatively named "Mustaaaaaard," a delightful blend of honey and chipotle. Simultaneously, he’s immersed in creating new music, having just completed Ella Mai’s album and embarking on his own new project.
"The direction sounds good; I’m not rushing it," he says, demonstrating a newfound patience and focus. And, of course, he’s still sending beats to Kendrick Lamar, continuing to shape the soundscape of modern music.
Mustard’s story is an inspiring testament to the fact that even amidst unparalleled professional success, personal health must remain a priority. His journey, from the brink of unhealthy habits to achieving a remarkable 120-pound weight loss, is a powerful reminder that transformation is possible. It’s about finding your turning point, embracing consistent effort, leaning on supportive relationships, and ultimately, redefining your relationship with yourself. His greatest drop wasn’t a chart-topping beat, but the profound and lasting transformation of his own well-being.
