Mutant talks Music, Growing-Up Years & ‘Freedom’

Dipesh Yadav, better known as Mutant, is a rising talent in the music industry.

From his early years immersed in gaming to discovering his passion for music, his journey is one of creativity and persistence.

In this exclusive DESIblitz interview, he shares insights into his upbringing, his transition from game development to music production, and his unique style.

We also explore his standout track Freedom and his evolving career.

Mutant’s story highlights the power of passion and resilience in carving an unconventional path in the music world.

Can you tell us about your growing up years? 

I grew up in a middle-class family, but my aspirations were never middle-class. I was a notorious child but serious to my studies and passion.

Since childhood, I had visions of grandeur for myself. I was surrounded by computers since childhood, as my maternal uncle was a software engineer.

The exposure had a profound impact on me. I was hooked to computer video games at the tender age of five or six years due to my uncle’s introduction to them.

As time went by, my passion for video games kept increasing.

My mom used to tease me: “Why do you play games developed by others? You develop your own!”

Her words didn’t go unheard. At the age of 14, I started learning programming by reading my uncle’s books.

I started with basic programs and eventually moved ahead in the field of coding.

Once, I made a small mod for GTA: San Andreas. Still, I required sound effects (SFX) for the mod, and at that time internet data was costly in India—only 1 GB per month.

Adding SFX from the internet was not easy, so I decided to make them myself.

Raised in a music-loving family, I became increasingly immersed in the realm of sound.

I abandoned the game project and began discovering music production via the internet and school library books.

While my peers gossiped, I devoted time to learning about sound and poetry.

In the following two to three years, I developed my skills and had a strong grasp of music composition. 

Eventually, I wanted to monetize my passion for music. A friend suggested I create a profile on Fiverr.

I followed his advice and started working as a ghost producer.

I still remember earning my first $2 through my art—it felt like I was on cloud nine!

Since then, I’ve worked with many clients, creating drum tracks, foley sounds, and more.

What was the reason behind you picking the stage name of Mutant?

The ‘Mutant’ stage name is meaningful to me and has two significant reasons behind it.

To begin with, the word ‘mutant’ has its origin in science, referring to something different or special from the rest.

I am the sole person in my family who listens to music intensely, and I pursue it as a career.

Such singularity made the word resonate with me.

Second, I was the sole student in my family to study science and had a special interest in it.

These two things being different—both in my love of music and my scientific interest—went together to help create the name ‘Mutant.’

It symbolises my uniqueness and the road that I’ve forged for myself. 

According to you, what are the advantages and disadvantages of working as a ghost producer? 

The most notable advantage for me is the freedom of creation I have.

I am free to concentrate exclusively on music production without being under the pressure of performing or maintaining a public persona.

More importantly, it provided me with the means to gain good revenue, which was essential for me, particularly at the start, as I wanted money to invest in the equipment for my business.

But the position is not without its drawbacks. The largest disadvantage is the anonymity – not many know who I am or what I do because my work stays in the background.

While this was important early on to provide for my music career, there are times that I feel the lack of fame.

But in retrospect, beginning as a ghost producer was necessary to lay the groundwork for my career and to get me where I am now.

Can you tell us about Freedom? What inspired you to create this track? 

Freedom is one of my first songs and has a special meaning to my heart.

Although it was one of my initial songs, it actually did quite well without promotion as I haven’t put a single post on my social media about it.

The song was originally made for an artist who requested a combination of pop and electronic sounds.

Then, I was in the initial stages of my music career and did not have sophisticated knowledge, so the process was really difficult.

It took me two months to finish the track since I had to Google nearly every term and concept before using it in the project.

The atmosphere of Freedom encapsulates the emotional process of a person who has been bullied for years.

The artist relays a strong message: don’t treat or tease someone so poorly that they forget who they are. This theme provided the song with a profoundly emotional and connectable foundation.

Making Freedom was not only a technical learning process but also a chance to share a meaningful narrative in music.

What do you hope new listeners will take away from Freedom? 

I hope new listeners of Freedom are inspired and empowered.

The song is about rising above issues such as bullying and learning the strength to be yourself.

I want them to take the message away that they can overcome negativity and love who they really are.

Above all, I hope it reminds people to be kind and respectful towards others. 

Have any musicians have influenced you? If so, in what ways? 

I have been inspired by numerous artists throughout the years, but during my early years, Dr Dre and Metro Boomin were two of the most influential.

I came across Dr Dre when I was watching a stream of GTA: San Andreas, a game that has deep roots in hip-hop culture.

The rapper-like characters in the game and the fact that it is rooted in hip-hop culture made me relate to Dr Dre’s music.

His boom bap, G-funk sound, and synth usage encouraged me greatly.

Additionally, his transformation—from being a black artist to one of the most celebrated producers—left an indelible mark on my life.

Metro Boomin also influenced my creativity significantly, especially in dark trap beats.

His talents and success at such a tender age motivated me to experiment and try new things in my craft.

For Indian artists, I used to admire the Mafia Mundeer group, comprising artists such as Yo Yo Honey Singh, Raftaar, Badshah, Ikka, Lil Golu, Jaz Dhami, and so on.

Even though they didn’t explicitly motivate me towards pursuing music, they provided me with a strong background in hip-hop.

For Indian artists, Dino James is truly a source of inspiration.

His talent for composing raps about life in general –, poetry with a beat – resonated with me.

I understood that I could voice myself and tell my own stories, as he did.

What advice would you give to Gen Z people who wish to become musicians?

First and foremost, don’t give up. Challenges are temporary, and they will fade away.

Always learn and grow, but remain humble. Be proud of your development, but never consider yourself the best.

Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when you require it, and always pay back the favour by assisting others whenever you can.

One of the mistakes I made at the beginning was making excuses about not having the best software or equipment. Don’t do that.

Work with what you have. It’s not about what you have; it’s about what you can do with it. Remember, success doesn’t come overnight.

If it does, it can fade just as quickly. Be consistent, patient, and persistent.

One thing I’ve noticed is that Gen Z often struggles with impatience, wanting results instantly.

Good things take time. Stay calm, stay cool, and keep working on your craft.

Even though I was a computer geek with no family history of musicianship, I picked music and pursued it diligently.

So don’t be intimidated to pursue your dreams of becoming a musician.

It doesn’t matter where you are from or what you have – your determination and perseverance will see you through.

Mutant’s journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and innovation.

From gaming to music, his dedication has shaped his unique artistry.

Freedom reflects resilience, while his advice to aspiring musicians highlights patience and self-belief.

His story proves that with hard work and creativity, success is within reach – no matter where you start. 

You can find out more about Mutant here.