Home / Arts and Entertainment / Veteran Producer Mike Dean Reflects on Grammys, Collaborations, and Future Plans
Veteran Producer Mike Dean Reflects on Grammys, Collaborations, and Future Plans
2 Oct
Summary
- Mike Dean took a 3-week break after touring with The Weeknd
- Dean has been nominated for 19 Grammys, winning 7, but never for Album, Record, or Song of the Year
- Dean plans to release a new instrumental album "426" in April 2026 and do solo shows
Acclaimed producer Mike Dean is coming off the longest break of his career—a mere three weeks—after touring with The Weeknd. The 60-year-old Dean, who has been nominated for 19 Grammys and won 7, is now focused on new projects, including a 420-themed instrumental album titled "426" slated for release in April 2026.
Despite his impressive accolades, Dean has never won a Grammy for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, or Song of the Year. This year, he is hoping to change that, with 10 submissions for his work on The Weeknd's album. "I've never won an Album of The Year, Record of the Year, or Song of the Year in my life, so hopefully this year with Abel, we fuckin' smash all those records," he tells Rolling Stone.
In addition to his Grammy aspirations, Dean plans to do more solo shows in the first half of 2026, where he can play music and jam in front of intimate audiences. He also hopes to move away from working directly with artists, instead focusing on more synth-based, instrumental projects and compilation albums.
