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The year is 2011 and the vibe on dance floors across the world is that anything goes. Sounds are being chopped up and spliced together as the traditional DJ rulebook sinks beneath the weight of a new, highly eclectic philosophy. Mixpak epitomises this perfectly. Its back catalogue is brimming with electro, dutch house, UK funky, ghetto tech, hip hop and dancehall and provides ammunition for strobe lit big rooms and sweat drenched basements alike.

Based out of Brooklyn, New York, Mixpak has released a steady stream of records since 2008. A highly diverse selection sees hyped up German party starters Schlachthofbronx join ranks alongside Jamaican superstar Vybz Kartel (above left), UK garage kingpin Sticky (below), American southern rap hero Lil Scrappy and label boss and underground dance destroyer Dre Skull (above right).

Mixpak's dedication to musical cross-pollination kicks off Mixmag's new 'Scene Selection' series, in which we profile the labels, promoters, artists and individuals currently making dance music tick. We caught up with Dre Skull for a quick chat about Mixpak and he's also gone into the mix to provide a hot selection of tunes released via the label. Check it!

When, where and why did Mixpak begin

I began work on Mixpak in Brooklyn, New York, during the spring of 2008, though our first release wasn't ready until March 2009. Basically, I started Mixpak to release records that I didn't think anybody else was supporting with the idea of creating situations, collaborations and aspects of culture that no one else was making space for. In a way Mixpak was started with the aspiration that culture could be a little less predictable and that the tendency towards division that often happen around music could be relaxed a bit.

The label is notorious for putting out a bunch of different genres. Why is that and how does music from the label like rap and dancehall correlate with electro and house?

The principal instrument for most rap, dancehall, electro, grime and house producers is the computer. That seems like an interesting development in music, and given that development, I think it just makes sense that a label might release across a wide range of genres. If you listen to contemporary music, there is so much cross-pollination on the production side, it's a renaissance. And then there’s a complimentary sort of shift happening for music listeners with internet-connected computers and devices, which has fundamentally changed how we listen to music and what kinds of music we listen to. YouTube alone has probably changed music forever so, if anything, I think of Mixpak as a label for the YouTube/post-YouTube age.

What's the music scene like in Brooklyn and how much inspiration from that area does the label take on?

It seems like there are countless music scenes in Brooklyn and in New York as a whole, but there are enough overlaps between them that it’s a great place to be making music.

Mixpak has just put out a Vybz Kartel record. Why does dancehall matter to what might be seen as a 'dance' label and how important is it to cross-pollinate between genres and to incorporate different styles?

I wouldn't say it's a necessity for any label or individual producer to cross-pollinate between genres or to incorporate different styles – it really depends on where you're at, what you find interesting and where your passion lies. I definitely respect labels that have a distinctive sound, but for me, I'm drawn to a lot of different types of music, so it only makes sense Mixpak would reflect that. It might be a little bit of an American aesthetic. I didn't grow up within a distinct 'dance' music context in the US, I personally was listening to rap music, house, electronic, disco, noise and Jamaican music...

What's in the future for Mixpak?

On a practical level, we’re looking forward to doing more full length album projects and signing artists to longer-term deals. But overall, we’re staying the course of putting out music we love and I imagine that will continue to take us in some unexpected directions. Stay tuned...

Scene Selection: Dre Skull's 'Mixpak For Mixmag' Mix by Mixmag

EXCLUSIVE MIX: Check out Dre Skull's choice selection of Mixpak tunes.

Sissy Nobby - Lay Me Down (L-Vis 1990 Remix)
Lill Scrappy - Look At Me (Justin Martin Remix)
Dre Skull - I Want You (Dre Skull Remix)
Melé - Starlight Express
Dubbel Dutch - Darq
Vybz Kartel - Half On A Baby (Dubbel Dutch Remix)
Melé - Lego
Lil Scrappy - Look At Me
Schlachthofbronx - Wave And Wine
Schlachthofbronx - Wave And Wine (Toddla T Remix)
Vybz Kartel - Yuh Love
Ms Thing & Psycho Tanbad - Bonify
Dubbel Dutch - Lay It Down Remix

BONUS ROUND: Last week we gave away this exclusive Melé tune, taken from his 'Starlight' EP out now on Mixpak. If you didn't get it, download it below. It's a stomping, late night acid banger from one of the brightest young UK producers in the game!

Melé - Starlight Express by Mixmag