Mustard Sheds 120 Lbs After Fredo Santana's Death Inspires Health Journey

Hip Hop producer finds balance through tennis, diet, and exercise after wake-up call on fatty liver and high blood pressure

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:51am

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Producer Mustard, known for his work with top Hip Hop artists, has undergone a major health transformation, losing 120 pounds after the death of his friend Fredo Santana prompted him to address his own struggles with weight, poor diet, and substance use. Mustard's journey involved adopting a holistic approach of improving his diet, exercising regularly, and discovering a passion for tennis as a healthy outlet.

Why it matters

Mustard's story reflects a broader trend within the Hip Hop community, where artists are increasingly prioritizing wellness, mental health, and finding healthy lifestyles to sustain long-term careers. This shift away from the narrative of excess represents a significant cultural change, as more musicians use their platforms to advocate for self-care and inspire fans to adopt healthier habits.

The details

At his heaviest, Mustard weighed 340 pounds, fueled by a poor diet and excessive lean consumption. The death of his friend Fredo Santana, who passed away due to complications linked to Xanax and lean use, served as a wake-up call. Coupled with warnings from his doctor about a fatty liver and high blood pressure, Mustard knew he needed to make a change. Losing weight proved challenging, as he had tried "every diet" and worked with multiple trainers. The key, he discovered, was a holistic approach that included walking, running, improving his diet, and finding inspiration from unexpected sources, like his camera guy who was "super into health." By 2021, Mustard had reached 215 pounds and now maintains a weight around 225 pounds.

  • In 2018, Mustard reached his heaviest weight of 340 pounds.
  • The death of Mustard's friend, rapper Fredo Santana, due to complications linked to Xanax and lean use, served as a wake-up call in the late 2010s.
  • By 2021, Mustard had reached 215 pounds through his health journey.

The players

Mustard

A producer known for his work with top Hip Hop artists who underwent a major health transformation, losing 120 pounds after the death of his friend Fredo Santana inspired him to address his struggles with weight, diet, and substance use.

Fredo Santana

A rapper and Mustard's friend who passed away due to complications linked to Xanax and lean use, serving as a wake-up call for Mustard to prioritize his own health.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

Mustard's journey highlights the growing wellness movement within the Hip Hop community, where artists are increasingly prioritizing their physical and mental health to sustain long and successful careers. This shift represents a significant cultural change, as more musicians use their platforms to advocate for self-care and inspire fans to adopt healthier habits.