Heard It Here First

Hold the phone, because Ringtone Murder and Chef Boyarbeatz have cooked up a new dubstep masterpiece. “Wagwan” pulls influence from classic reggae dub with incredibly crisp sound design and Chef’s signature breaks. This is dubstep in its purest form.

Los Angeles-based Chef Boyarbeatz has been busy in the kitchen. “Wagwan” is his second release of the year, coming off his latest track “Flight Malfunction / Crash Landing.” His discography features deep basslines, classic dubstep one-shots like dub sirens, and outstanding breaks. For an artist relatively new to the scene, his music feels incredibly nostalgic, calling back to the era of classic dubstep. He’s received glowing support from industry icons Ternion Sound, including a rinse of some of his unreleased plates at the trio’s DEFINE EVERYTHING FUTURE show.

Hailing from Santa Cruz, California, Ringtone Murder has some of the most sinister sound design in bass music today. His first two releases of 2022 “Blood Moon” and “Can’t Kill Me” showcase that sound design and production prowess. His signature wicked soundscapes are fully present and on display throughout “Wagwan.”

The Classic Sound With A Modern Flare

This release begins with a traditional reggae dub beat before signature dub breaks and vocals build tension. Shortly after, the track’s punishing bassline and crisp percussion then take over. The bass synths are masterfully crafted and this 140 tune is fit for any sound system. After a brief interlude, the second drop’s bassline flexes its muscles, delivering an incredible punch. “Wagwan” is the perfect representation of the revival of that classic dubstep sound. Artists like Chef Boyarbeatz and Ringtone Murder among many others are paying homage to the legends of the genre while adding their own unique flare.

The sound design in bass music has never been better and artists combining these modern techniques with classic dubstep elements has been absolutely fascinating to watch.