If you're a fan of our Digital Dynasty mixtape series, you're already familiar with K-Lion's work. He's a rising graphic designer who's done of the majority of our mixtape covers since we started. On top of that, he's an aspiring producer who's on the grind ... all from his home country of The Netherlands.

With all his hard work, we figured it was only right to let our visitors know more about the man who helps make our mixtape series possible. Read on, as K-Lion talks about his beginnings in graphic arts, his influences, some of his secrets, and a little about his stint in music.

BallerStatus.com: Where you are from and how you got into graphic arts?

K-Lion: I'm from Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands. I have always been busy creating things, even as a kid. My two biggest hobbies were music and drawing -- in every shape and form. To make a long story short, I went to a graphic school called Grafisch Lyceum in Rotterdam from 1997 until 2001. Soon after I graduated, I started doing little assignments. It wasn't until the construction for a campaign -- that I had to create for the Dutch rapper Ali B -- that I really got into the business. It helped me a lot. His album was a big hit, and my name was on it.

BallerStatus.com: You have received alot of compliments for your work with us and the Digital Dynasty mixtape series. Out of all those eye catching covers, which where your favorite?

K-Lion: Yeah, I had a lot of feedback, especially from peeps in Holland who heard the shoutouts coming from different US rappers, so that was dope. My favorite one ... hmmm let me think.

You can definitely see some evolution going on since DD3. I like the Stat Quo one the most I think, but the best ones are still to come.

BallerStatus.com: Out of all the mixtapes, musically which was your favorite? and why?

K-Lion: There were some Dutch mixtapes with my own productions on it, so yeah, naturally I have the tightest connection to those tracks. But regarding the DD series I did, I probably like the Crooked I Edition the most. I think it was DD5 right? It had Slaughterhouse on it, Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, Crooked I etc. I'm a big Slaughterhouse fan, so that one got me amped.

BallerStatus.com: What is your long time goal in the design game?

K-Lion: I feel like I'm just getting started in this whole "cover thing". Since I hooked up with Tha Advocate and Ballerstatus, I feel like I took a new direction. My long time goal is simple: keep on doing what I love to do and do it to the best of my abilities. I would also like to do more conceptual projects -- more album covers, campaigns, and of course, make money doing what I love doing. Don't forget, this sh** is from the heart.

BallerStatus.com: That's a good thing. What is it about your style that differs from the rest?

K-Lion: Right about now, I think I'm not fully developed yet, because the biggest ideas are still stuck in my head. Technically speaking, I think I differ from the rest because I always take care of a fast turnaround. I also believe I have a strong ability to turn sh**ty material (like really lo-res pictures) into something good. I try to remain creative. I use a lot of my own photography in my designs, whether it's backgrounds or some layered picture of a concrete floor in some old factory that I use as a texture. I have a lot of those and people often look at me like "WTF, is he photographing??" But in the end, it all works out.

BallerStatus.com: As far as your music career, let people know exactly what you do and what you have coming up?

K-Lion: I'm doing some projects in Holland with some local artists. First of all, my long time homie Algerino; we recently put a mixtape out, [and] now working on a follow-up, and eventually drop a full length album. I'm doing a EP with my homie Jimmy G from The Hague, a mixtape with Mohcain from The Hague, and finished up some tracks for my buddy El Stylo who represents Rotterdam.

Next to that, I'm putting the finishing touches on a old school type project called Lion's Den.

BallerStatus.com: Lions Den ... that's tight

K-Lion: But that's all Dutch, so you won't be able to understand jack sh** they saying ... (laughs). The Lion's Den name was created by an MC called Dennis T. He put our names together and came up with Lion's Den ... he's a genius (laughs).

BallerStatus.com: Some people may not know that you produce and rap as well. How did you get your start and how would you describe your style?

K-Lion: In the early 90s, I hooked up with a friend of mine who was one of the few people in possession of a computer. He had this tracker program in which you could program your own beats. That sh** got me hooked for the first time and we did some songs, rapping in a poorly American accent (laughs). Music never left me, so I just kept on going, eventually got my own equipment and still making beats until this day.

As far as rapping is concerned, I'm not writing anymore. I decided to put all of my efforts into designing and producing, so that's what I'm doing right now and it keeps me fully occupied.

BallerStatus.com: Any music projects of K-Lion coming soon?

K-Lion: The ones I mentioned above -- The new Algerino mixtape can be downloaded from the Dutch hip-hop site, StateMagazine. It's all Dutch except for two French guest appearances and the intro features a spoken word piece by Killah Priest.

BallerStatus.com: With 2010 on the rise, what goals do you have for next year?

K-Lion: More design, more music, more money...

BallerStatus.com: Other then doing graphic arts. Do you have any other talents the fans might want to know about?

K-Lion: I might have some other undiscovered talents, but right now I'm too focused on my core business to take any side roads. Maybe I would be a helluva cook, but for now, I'm cooking up beats and covers.

BallerStatus.com: Have you been to the U.S. yet?

K-Lion: Google Earth made it possible for me to walk through every US hood, but no, seriously, I never been to the US yet. It is definitely going to happen next year because I just love hip-hop, so I should at least take a trip to its birthplace and try to get on the bandwagon somehow.

BallerStatus.com: What is a typical day like K-Lion?

K-Lion: Grindin.. Get up really early in the morning to go to work, do my job, go home, do my own work, spend some time with my girl and that's it. Often, I have to go back and forth between cities to take some pictures or discuss new projects, so actually, I'm pretty occupied.

BallerStatus.com: Let the people know where to check you and how to get a hold of you if they want to get some quality work done.

K-Lion: Well, you can visit my official website, KlionProductions.com, or Klion-Productions.com if you want to see some of my work. There is a contact page on it, so you can reach me. Also, follow me on Twitter @KlionProd.

Hit me on AIM at klionproductions, or the easiest way to get at me is by email -- info@klionproductions.com.