One of the most significant and productive behind-the-scenes figures in the history of hip-hop is Mike Dean. His chart-topping work with Scarface in the 1990s and the rise and continued prominence of postmillennial stars like Kanye West and Travis Scott are the most obvious examples of how important the native Texan has been to the early development of rap music from his home state and the South in general. Dean has received five Grammys as a result of his collaboration with West, and his work also spans across all genres and features artists like Beyoncé, Coldplay, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, and more.