Mike T started his career as a professional DJ in the late 80's working with the underground rap group Quicksand. Soon afterwards, Mike T became acquainted with MC Eiht & CMW after Quicksand and CMW both appeared on the The Compton Compilation - The Sound Control Mob Under Investigation album. Although Comptons Most Wanted already had a DJ (Ant Capone), he was later fired and Mike T was asked to be the group's replacement. Mike T laid down cuts and scratches over the group's first three albums, the MC Eiht solo releases, and hooked up with various underground west coast hip-hop groups as a DJ and producer. Aside from his turntable trickery, Mike T also programmed and produced many of the classic CMW beats alongside DJ Slip.