DJ Clue Reflects on Relationships with J. Cole, Clipse and Jay-Z

The legendary DJ discusses his mixtape career, producing for today's artists, and trying to get Jay-Z back in the studio.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:58pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of shattered, glittering glass fragments in shades of red and black, conceptually representing the gritty, nostalgic energy of DJ Clue's influential mixtape career.The shattered remnants of DJ Clue's iconic mixtape legacy shine with a gritty, nostalgic energy, reflecting the lasting impact of his pioneering work in the hip-hop industry.Queens Today

DJ Clue, the influential DJ from Queens, New York, reflects on his long career in the music industry. He discusses his relationships with artists like J. Cole, Clipse, and Jay-Z, and how he helped build his mixtape empire from his parents' home. Clue also talks about the resurgence of his popularity with a younger generation of fans, being featured on recent albums, and his archive of unreleased verses from top rappers.

Why it matters

DJ Clue was a pioneering figure in the mixtape culture of the 1990s and 2000s, helping to break new artists and establish his signature sound. His relationships with major rappers like Jay-Z, Clipse, and J. Cole showcase his lasting influence and how he continues to shape the industry, even as the landscape has shifted. This story provides insight into Clue's role in hip-hop history and his ongoing impact.

The details

DJ Clue started his career in the 1990s, flooding the streets with his influential mixtapes while still living at home with his parents. He went on to sign a deal with Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records and became a mainstay on New York radio. Clue has enjoyed a recent resurgence, being featured on the Grammy-nominated Clipse comeback album and J. Cole's surprise Birthday Blizzard '26 EP, which featured freestyles over classic Clue instrumentals. Clue has also been producing for artists like Lil Wayne, Sleepy Hollow, and DaBaby. While he's been in the game for decades, Clue still has an archive of unreleased verses from top rappers that he's sitting on, hinting at more collaborations to come.

  • DJ Clue started his career in the 1990s.
  • Clue signed a deal with Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records.
  • Clue was featured on the Grammy-nominated Clipse comeback album in 2026.
  • Clue collaborated with J. Cole on the Birthday Blizzard '26 EP in 2026.
  • Clue has been producing for artists like Lil Wayne, Sleepy Hollow, and DaBaby in recent years.

The players

DJ Clue

A pioneering DJ from Queens, New York who helped build the mixtape culture in the 1990s and 2000s, signing a deal with Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records and becoming a mainstay on New York radio.

J. Cole

A rapper who collaborated with DJ Clue on the Birthday Blizzard '26 EP, featuring freestyles over classic Clue instrumentals. Cole and Clue have known each other for years, with Cole being a 'hungry artist trying to get on' who used to hang out and hoop with Clue.

Clipse

The rap duo of Pusha T and Malice, who featured DJ Clue on their Grammy-nominated comeback album Let God Sort Em Out in 2026.

Jay-Z

The rapper and Roc-A-Fella Records founder, who Clue has had a long-standing relationship with, including Clue sending Jay the J. Cole Birthday Blizzard '26 tape in hopes of getting Jay back in the studio.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“To be honest with you, a lot of people have reached out to me to do s—t throughout the years because I feel like that era is just nostalgic. People always say that the energy I brought is missing from the game type s—t.”

— DJ Clue

“I feel like it's more so that they know what recreating that feeling means to the game. I feel like that part of it is missing because a lot of the music that comes out now is microwaved.”

— DJ Clue

“If I'd had it back then? Forget about it. You could make a tape and just put it on SoundCloud. I would've been the Michael Jackson of mixtapes if that was the case.”

— DJ Clue

What’s next

DJ Clue teases that he's dropping something new soon, but avoids going into details. He also expresses a desire to get Jay-Z back in the studio to collaborate on new music.

The takeaway

DJ Clue's long-standing relationships with influential artists like J. Cole, Clipse, and Jay-Z, as well as his pioneering role in the mixtape culture, showcase his lasting impact on the hip-hop industry. Even as the landscape has shifted, Clue remains a respected figure who continues to shape the music through his production, collaborations, and archive of unreleased material.