30 American Producers That Can Resurrect Dubstep

For the past two years, there's been a word, an iconic American EDM phrase, that's been largely missing from significant mention in the conversation regarding dance's mainstream American presence: dubstep. Once only the domain of the south London underground, when the sound's global reach found its way into the American mainstream, the sound may have found another significant home, a place where more prodigious growth for the genre could occur.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

For the past two years, there's been a word, an iconic American EDM phrase, that's been largely missing from significant mention in the conversation regarding dance's mainstream American presence: dubstep. Once only the domain of the south London underground, when the sound's global reach found its way into the American mainstream, the sound may have found another significant home, a place where more prodigious growth for the genre could occur.

Even Mixmag believes that America is keeping dubstep alive. Ironically, it's the nature of the genre's aggravated "brostep" sound (a sound that truly broke out in America) that may have caused dubstep the greatest peril in the UK. Thus, if the sound has set a course for its future to be decided by American hands, just who are these producers at the forefront of "resurrecting" dubstep, what are their roots, and what is inspiring their sounds?

There's 30 groundbreaking producers on this list. From those making sounds that owe much to the roots of heavy dub to those making sounds that feel more inspired by razors and saws at work on a construction site, the list is extraordinarily diverse. However, their concentration in both the American south and west says much about the nature of American bass and where the sound is headed.

The West Coast makes sense. Los Angeles is arguably the home of American EDM, with major labels—both dance specific and otherwise—based in the city plus the city being a hub for producers, too. The South makes sense as well, especially if one considers a) the importance of trap to the resurgence of dubstep, and b) the prevalence of well-respected heavy bass communities in many American southern cities (Dallas and Austin, Texas, Atlanta, Georgia, etc.)

If looking for the who, what, when, where and why of dubstep's resurrection—especially from an American point of view—there may be no better guide at-present than this list.

heRobust

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Atlanta, GA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/herobust

heRobust has the ability to use dubstep synths across every bass genre possible, continues to grow his fan base organically, and doesn't release bad records. He's consistent without being repetitive, and is making giant records without beating us over the head. This skillset is unique, and the only way that his momentum will stop is if he decides to quit music.—Nappy

MUST DIE!

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Atlanta, GA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/mustdiemusic

MUST DIE! just moved to Berlin to start a new life chapter with his fiancé, and while we're curious what his output will look like in the coming months, his stream of releases in 2013 really was unmatched by anyone in bass music. His work flow is insane, and the dude truly never misses. If his consistency is anything close to the past year and a half, he's destined for greatness.—Nappy

Eliot Lipp

Not Available Interstitial

Location: New York, NY
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/eliotlipp

Eliot Lipp's disappearance from the scene hasn't gone unnoticed, and though he's only released three records in the past year, everything he's ever put out has been absoultely massive. If he ever brushes his DAW off, it's sure to be a movement. We're patiently waiting to see what he has up his sleeve.—Nappy

Protohype

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Los Angeles, CA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/protohype

"Sex, dubstep, and puppies." Well, that and cosigns from 12th Planet and Datsik pretty much place Protohype at the forefront of American bass music. As if pelting low-end frequencies with UFC-style hammer fists, Protohype's tracks have evolved (as one should only expect) from being rowdy to anthemic, the stuff of which festivals and #plurnt dreams are made. A frenetic touring schedule coupled with a hectic schedule of releases keeps Protohype's sound both based in dubstep's throbbing expectation, but perpetually fresh, timely and well aware of ever-quickening pace of sounds now influencing the ears of bass fanatics.—Marcus

12th Planet

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Los Angeles, CA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/12thplanet

12th Planet is an OG in this game, and though he's shifted to live performance and duties for SMOG, he comes through and smashes absoutely everything when he decides to pop up with a remix, collab, or original. He's constantly reinventing his sound and putting the next generation in their place with his records, and has never been one to sleep on.—Nappy

Seven Lions

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Santa Barbara, CA

Soundcloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/seven-lions

Seven Lions has seen his career skyrocket over the last four years, getting tunes signed to a number of vital labels, including OWSLA, Anjunabeats, and Viper Recordings. He doesn't stick solely to dubstep, but when he does, he puts his soul-drenched musicality into it. He's already toured with Porter Robinson, remixed Above & Beyond, and is seen by many as the future of the electronic music scene. The best part? He's really just getting started.—khal

Getter

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Los Angeles, CA

SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/getter_dubstep

Getter's profile starts off pinning him as "the unsung hero of underground bass culture," but this is far from true. His following is huge, and the records he releases often do huge numbers. The tune's he's cuffing for release are giant, too. Trust us when we say his work in dubstep is nowhere near complete.—Nappy

Dubloadz

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Ringwood, NJ
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/dubloadz

Unlike most of the artists on this list, Dubloadz is still flying under the radar. Even with a SMOG co-sign and a collab with P0gman, he's barely broken the five figure follower mark on his SoundCloud. Everything he's released has been insane though, and a continued flow of carefully placed remixes will place him in a position of power. Let's see what the rest of 2014 brings for him.—Nappy

CRIMES!

Not Available Interstitial

Location: West Coast
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/crimeskill

CRIMES! is a sleeper that can produce just about anything, and though he's been on Ultragore, Dim Mak, and Mal Label, the mainstream is still largely unaware of his presense. His latest wave of offerings have been mostly trap, but his ability to add dubstep elements into these bangers is more than impressive.—Nappy

Haunta

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Los Angeles, CA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/hauntastep

We're shaking our heads at Haunta, to be honest. The guy is reposting other people's records so often on SoundCloud that we have to swim through a sea of tunes to get to his work, he's uploading clips of shit that we can't buy or download, which can be upsetting because his production is that good. He's making tunes that are simplistic in theory, but looping complex synth work into that heady foundation that brings us back a few years. Once someone consults him on how to use the Internet, he's going to start winning really fast.—Nappy

Deco

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Los Angeles, CA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/deco

Sounding like exactly what happens when trip-hop meets ambient sounds, there's a profound nature to the soulfulness apparent in Deco's creativity. Whereas so many other names on this list bring styles that either make a direct assault on top-40 rap or keep things more Euro-friendly in inspiration, there's a delicate balance of all things in Deco's sounds, a stillness that keeps the bump in the night from making too much noise. Chilling but not chilled, cool but not cold, Deco's a producer every producer probably wishes they could emulate, but are also likely certain that could never actually fully replicate in style.—Marcus

Skrillex

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Los Angeles, CA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/skrillex

What else can be said about the OWSLA Records boss that hasn't already been said? Well, with one listen to his album Recess, note that the first track is titled "All Is Fair in Love and Brostep," which is either the world's largest troll of a title or a realization by the producer of where his bread and butter are as a superstar. "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" set a precedent, and for as much as Skrillex sonically moves into hip-house, techno or anywhere else, there's always the notion informing his style that the insistence on placing bass at the forefront isn't too far away. With brand marketing experts and pop culture in general now keenly observing his every move, every Skrillex track from here on out isn't just a song, but a potential pop culture direction-changing event in and of itself.—Marcus

David Heartbreak

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Los Angeles, CA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/david-heartbreak

I'll admit that I'm completely biased with David Heartbreak. I've known him for years, and even though he signed with OWSLA and AM Only since we started speaking, we still shoot the shit like nothing changed. He's also holding onto the records that will define him as a musician, and though his run has been incredibly solid thusfar, the next wave is going to cause a serious commotion.—Nappy

Reid Speed

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Los Angeles, CA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/reidspeed

Reid Speed is known more for her skills as a DJ and curator for her own Play Me imprint, and we're cool with that. Her production smacks when she decides to let loose, but she's carved out a lane as a tastemaker and has continued to push the dubstep sound and the next generation forward for as long as she's been in the game, and has proven to be a pivotal ear in the game.—Nappy

Carvar & Clock

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Austin, TX
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/candcofficial

Carvar & Clock are two producers from Texas that are making records that are truly insane. Though their catalog isn't nearly as vast as some on this list, their sound design and style are truly special. We're anxious to see what these guys cook up next, and hope that we don't have to wait forever for their next release.—Nappy

UFO!

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Los Angeles, CA

SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/itsufo

Being pushed heavily and consistently collaborating with Bro Safari is certainly part of the success of UFO!, but we certainly see why this partnership has been so magical. These two push each other musically, the records they're making often defy the stereotypes and constraints of genres, and though we often hear those wobbly roots, both of these guys are smart enough to stray away from pigeonholing themselves as producers. We're excited to see what UFO! cooks up in the coming months, and though you can easily write him off as a producer that is reliant on collabs, his solo work smashes just as hard.—Nappy

Kelly Dean

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Irvine, CA

SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/kellydean

Kelly Dean is an artist that baffles us, to be honest. His records are huge, but somehow his following isn't. He and SMOG labelmate Pawn have a tried and true brand backing them, but their fan bases that don't match their output at all. That said, his records are incredible, and he truly has the potential to lead the next dubstep revolution.—Nappy

Mayhem

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Atlanta, GA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/mayhem

People fail to remember that Mayhem has been around since before EDM was ever a thing, that he produced drum & bass records more than a decade ago, and though he's a notable figure in the industry, his following really doesn't reflect his influence on Atlanta or bass music culture at all. He struck trap music with a flurry of bangers at the right time, but he's going to fuck your head up if he ever decides to flex his roots.—Nappy

Evol Intent

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Various Locations
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/evolintent

Newcomers to "EDM" likely only know Evol Intent as "that act that Bro Safari used to produce with." Well, that notion is entirely false, and if sleeping on the American drum & bass OGs, you're doing it wrong. Yes, Knick Weller's is "Bro Safari," but amazingly, The Enemy makes the funkiest of house records as "Treasure Fingers" and Gigantor makes heavy electro as "Computer Club," too. Keeping an ear out for Evol Intent tracks is a must. Intense and funky, they're absolutely brilliant. Weaving agony and ecstasy together, the magic existis in them when you find the beauty in the midst of the madness.—Nappy

Dubtek

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Seattle, WA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/kschab123

By producing deep and grime-ready beats, Seattle-based Dubtek has found significant acclaim in the UK with his productions. Like dredging an ocean at 20,000 leagues and coming back with mud-covered gold, the producer makes bass-driven sounds that are defined by the high level of attention paid to style as much as substance. If looking to rediscover heavy music's traditions in an EDM-driven bass environment, discovering and appreciating Dubtek's sounds is an absolute must.—Marcus

Space Laces

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Louisville, KY
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/space-laces

With a sound that can best be described as what spraying quarks with Red Bull could sound like, Space Laces' bass productions move quite scientifically in up, down, left, right, strange and certainly very charmed directions. A devil-may-care attitude blends with a more-than-apparent awareness of the importance of constructing soundscapes that adequately contain and properly showcase the plethora of seemingly zany but ultimately ear-worming bits that work in concert to give his sound and style a unique (and growing) space in America's progressive bass future.—Marcus

TrollPhace

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Los Angeles, CA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/trollphace

One listen to TrollPhace gives you the sense that if he were a doctor, he would operate on patients with lasers for scalpels. Pleasantly ostentatious, synthlines snap and roll throughout his productions with a furious energy that gives him a uniquely recognizable style and instantaneously unforgettable sound. Seeing him get some recent love from OWSLA at least shows that his productions aren't just finding favor in our ears, but in the ears of industry-powerful others, too.—Marcus

Buku

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/buku

Yes, just as his social media handles would lead you to believe, Buku is "dat dude." It's becoming far more commonplace that the roots of heavy bass are merging with pop-mainstream hip-hop style. However, Buku's own roots are in Pittsburgh, an area with a long-standing tradition of an underground scene that has been built in that unique space, thus giving Buku an organic advantage over others making similar-sounding productions. That, and having a live show that features the producer having a populist flair and rap selector's handle on a crowd gives him the possibility of being a superstar on the rise and power player in American bass' future.—Marcus

JPhelpz

Not Available Interstitial

Location: St. Louis, MO
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/jphelpz

JPhelpz's sound is intentionally mechanical and robotic and intended to induce manic responses. With each release he gains greater renown in the dubstep universe, his current release on Firepower Records proof positive of the level of awareness for his sounds being on the rise. A peak-hour and festival champion sound of the moment, if Americans were to resurrect dubstep, he'd be more likely than most to have a hand in the most mainstream of realms in this development.—Marcus

Twine

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Pensacola, FL
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/iamtwine

Searing and euphoric sounds define the quick-rising excellence of Pensacola, Florida's Twine. "Killing Machine" may be the best of his work to date, as the heavy, hard and gnashing track has an immediate sonic potency. Bearing a sound that has similar creative impulses to mainstream popular producers Excision and Datsik doesn't hurt either, as in carrying forth the evolution of their highly-favored sounds portends well for the development of his career.—Marcus

Minnesota

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Santa Cruz, CA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/minnesota

Expect colorful melodies nesting on bulldozer-like basslines on Minnesota releases. Yes, he's named for the land of 10,000 lakes, but these sounds are inteneded to move at least 100,000 people—maybe even more. Touring with Big Gigantic and Paper Diamond has Minnesota well-positioned for sustainability as a road warrior, but being dropped in the sets of those like Bassnectar has him positioned to be a name that's already respected, with an expectation of genre dominance being the next-level expectation.—Marcus

Stratus

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Chicago, IL
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/stratusbass

From trap to twerk to reggae and dancehall, Stratus' sound has comfortably stretched out to the current pop/dance limits of heavy bass. It's in his desire to consistently examine those (and other) influences that truly will define him as one of the names likely to play a significant role in defining the future of dubstep—especially as a resurrected genre. He's gained the favor of Ultra Records, remixed Krewella, and has the support of the genre's most respected names. One could do no worse than at least keeping an eye on a star that continues to rise.—Marcus

EshOne

Not Available Interstitial

Location: San Diego, CA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/eshone

EshOne is a producer's producer, and a DJ's DJ. He's spinning records that nobody else spins, crafting sounds that set him apart, and gets booked by people that truly know their shit. He's got another alias, but neither personality really gives a fuck what you think. Please note that most of these posts are SoundCloud embeds, and we used a YouTube link for this single. This is because this was only uploaded to one spot. It also has less than 200 plays because he doesn't care about marketing and its phenomenal.—Nappy

Des McMahon

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Philadelphia, PA
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/desmcmahon

Des McMahon has truly found himself creatively as a producer in the nether regions of the sonic register. His career of label releases showcase this descent brilliantly, as somewhere between remixing a DJ Muggs release on Ultra Records to his latest releases, he progressively reveals more of his own unique take on bass' past, present, and future. If looking for one to watch in the future, McMahon's unique ability to dissasemble his career, and rebuild it even stronger in his own image by his own hands is impressive.—Marcus

Run DMT

Not Available Interstitial

Location: Austin, TX
SoundCloud URL: https://soundcloud.com/rundmt

Four years into the game and instantaneously (or at least it seems that way) evolving genres as fast as they seem to develop, one-man bass army Run DMT is setting himself up rather nicely to be at the forefront of any (and all) moves that bass music makes in the future. Rare is the producer who can incisively cut into a genre, discover its heart, and interpolate it in such a manner that he carves out a piece of the genre for himself (and himself alone). That's the only way to understand how Run DMT has excelled and released tracks on Mad Decent and Dim Mak, hit #1 overall on Beatport, become a festival staple and yes, even remixed legendary rock band The Who.—Marcus

Latest in Music