“It feels like the door to the drum and bass scene is wide open—come join the party. This genre may appear to be experiencing a resurgence, but it’s simply the latest chapter in an ongoing renaissance.”
For those immersed in the electronic dance music scene in recent years, the surge of interest in the drum and bass genre is undeniable. Characterized by its energizing beats, drum and bass is reclaiming its position at major music festivals worldwide. Amid this global movement, one figure emerges as a leading force in North America: the enigmatic producer REAPER.
Bringing a fresh and invigorating sound to a new generation, REAPER combines aggression and excitement, inviting everyone to engage with the music. He has emerged as a pivotal figure in the American drum and bass landscape. We Rave You had the chance to chat with the dynamic bass producer about his latest collaboration with Pirapus, titled ‘BLOW THE ROOF,’ his new album CHALLENGER, and his insights on the music scene, touring through health challenges, and the evolution of his brand. If you’re not already familiar with him, now’s the time to start; soon enough, everyone will be grooving with REAPER.
Before the launch of the REAPER project in 2018, how did your collaboration with your manager come about? Was the focus always on drum and bass, or did that develop over time as you aimed to elevate American Drum and Bass culture?
About eight years ago, I became roommates with Anthony, my manager. Even though we no longer live together, during that time, I dedicated myself to music while he managed various clients. Our daily activities, including gym sessions, grocery runs, and sharing a car, often included listening to tracks from Pendulum and Noisia. This sparked our growing love for drum and bass. I started creating my own drum and bass tracks, and Anthony encouraged me by saying, ‘This is really good.‘ From there, we began brainstorming how to shape this into an impactful project for the bass music scene in the U.S. Once I accumulated several bootlegs and established a vision, we launched the first releases in 2018. It was a carefully planned endeavor, and I owe a lot to Anthony for that. He would remind me, ‘Let’s be strategic and have a clear game plan.‘ This approach was incredibly beneficial to our professional relationship.
To read the full interview, download our We Rave You Digital Magazine and access the complete conversation with REAPER here. Listen to his latest single, ‘BLOW THE ROOF’ featuring Pirapus, below.
