Dubstep FBI Founders Christina Yessa and Yesenia Vizcaya Discuss Their Journey in the EDM Scene, New Label Launch, and Future Aspirations.
As EDM and rave culture continue to capture mainstream attention, the industry has become more corporate, leaving many ravers craving authentic content created by individuals who genuinely appreciate the culture. Dubstep FBI Founders Christina Yessa and Yesenia Vizcaya have responded to this need by establishing a platform that champions local and emerging talent while creating a community for bass music enthusiasts.
Their commitment to redefining the genre has made them influential figures in the scene. Their podcast boasts over 65 episodes featuring prominent artists like CRANKDAT, Ray Volpe, Level Up, and ALLEYCVT. Additionally, their radio series, Riot Control Radio, has garnered hundreds of thousands of streams. In 2024, their brand achieved global recognition with their stage takeover at Rampage Open Air.
To commemorate the fifth anniversary of Dubstep FBI (an acronym for Filthy Beat Investigators), Christina and Yesenia launched the Beat Intelligence Network (BIN) on January 24. BIN is an innovative record label aimed at elevating emerging producers within the bass music genre.
We spoke with Christina and Yesenia about their experiences launching Dubstep FBI and BIN, overcoming industry challenges, and their aspirations for the future of bass music. Read on to discover more about this rising force in the EDM landscape.
Congratulations on reaching five years of Dubstep FBI! What inspired you to start this brand?
Our journey began when a mutual friend invited us to Tomorrowland 2018. After experiencing the festival together and forming a strong friendship, we attended multiple festivals and shows, which sparked the idea for Dubstep FBI. We wanted to create a space where bass music fans could celebrate their passion daily, not just during events. At that time, we observed our friends DJing with Traktor controllers and envisioned a central hub to showcase their mixes.
Initially, we hesitated to launch due to concerns about public perception and the fear of failure. However, in January 2020, we decided to fully commit to the project, supporting each other and believing that our venture would yield positive results. With our backgrounds in branding and sales, we thought applying those skills could help us grow Dubstep FBI. Looking back, taking that leap was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.
As a women-owned brand in a predominantly male industry, what challenges did you face when entering the EDM scene?
One of our greatest challenges was overcoming self-doubt. We often wondered if our efforts would resonate, if we would face judgment, and if our time and energy would be worthwhile. Initially, we felt the need to prove ourselves. However, over time, we learned that our uniqueness was what set Dubstep FBI apart. Instead of conforming to an industry not designed for us, we chose to redefine it entirely. We remained true to our vision, persevered, and refused to let gatekeeping or industry standards dictate our path.
Now, five years later, we aim to inspire other women to realize they don’t need permission to carve their space in this industry.
What projects are you most proud of since launching Dubstep FBI, and what makes these moments significant for your brand?
One of our most impactful projects was the stage takeover at Rampage Open Air in Belgium last summer. When Rampage reached out, we were astounded. Having never done a stage takeover before, being approached by a festival for collaboration was a significant milestone for us. This partnership opened numerous doors, enhancing our international visibility.
We are also proud of the tactical bags we released last year. The development process was extensive, requiring significant communication with the vendor to create a fully custom product. Following the initial sell-out, we received inquiries weekly about restocking. After some updates, we’re set to release new inventory in March. Witnessing the positive reception to something we invested so much effort in has been incredibly rewarding.
Additionally, we’ve had the privilege of interviewing industry legends, assisting artists in breaking into the scene, and now launching our record label. Each step of this journey has been a defining moment, but we believe even bigger ones lie ahead.
Your new record label, Beat Intelligence Network, is an exciting venture. What is the mission behind BIN, and how do you envision it shaping the future of bass music?
We had contemplated starting a label for years, but doubts held us back. Last year, we realized this was a venture we had to pursue.
BIN aligns with our mission to showcase underground artists and provide them with the recognition they deserve. Many talented producers have tracks waiting for label responses that may never come. We aspire for BIN to be a platform where artists not only release their music but receive genuine support, effective marketing, and valuable connections that make a difference. Our hands-on approach ensures every artist we sign feels supported and valued.
We are confident that BIN will become the go-to destination for fans seeking fresh underground dubstep and riddim from artists they may not yet know.
Versa’s Another Yoi Song EP is the inaugural release on the label. What led you to choose Versa for this launch, and what about his artistry made him the ideal candidate?
Versa has a long-standing relationship with Dubstep FBI. In 2023, we collaborated with Versa’s team at Forbidden Kingdom, and the content we shared from his set gained significant traction on our page, indicating a strong connection. We continued to collaborate at other events like EDC Mexico and Rampage Open Air, consistently admiring his production and branding. Given the positive feedback from our fans, we aimed high when inviting him to submit demos for the label.
“Another Yoi Song VIP” is a track he has been performing live for months, and we know it’s one that fans have eagerly anticipated. Everything about Versa resonated perfectly with our vision for our first release.
Are there specific artists or sounds you feel are underrepresented in the bass scene that you hope to promote through BIN?
It often seems there’s a lack of representation for riddim on the label side. While some major labels sign riddim artists, the underground scene lacks cohesion on streaming platforms. We aim to capture the high-energy, gritty vibes that only an underground riddim event can provide, offering fans a central location to enjoy these sounds beyond just live shows.
Another aspect of BIN is our intent to deliver something unique. Our album artwork reflects this ethos as we utilize simple, hand-illustrated designs instead of 3D renders. We want artists and their teams to feel connected to the label, ensuring that their tracks won’t simply disappear after release.
We achieve this by fostering close relationships with the artists we sign, distributing music weeks ahead of release, and leveraging Dubstep FBI channels to generate excitement and awareness.
Having collaborated with some of the biggest names in bass music, how does it feel to witness Dubstep FBI’s evolution into a respected brand in the bass scene?
Honestly, we never anticipated that Dubstep FBI would grow to this extent. We initially started it as a SoundCloud page for our friends to publish their Traktor mixes from our gatherings. The success of this brand highlights a significant gap in the dubstep scene.
Fans desire a community where they can share their love for music. They seek a relatable brand that embraces humor and maintains a lighthearted approach. As the EDM landscape has become increasingly corporate, we believe our distinct voice resonates with fans. Despite working with some of the industry’s biggest names, our passion lies in helping emerging artists develop their brands. Having a platform to assist others is incredibly meaningful to us.
What advice would you give to women aspiring to enter the EDM industry?
Stop worrying about others’ opinions and just take action. The first step is often the hardest, but once you commit to putting yourself out there, things will start to fall into place. Remember, you’re not alone, and you can always reach out to us for support and encouragement.
The bass music scene is filled with incredible women eager to uplift one another. Our DMs are open, and we love making new connections — don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to others in the industry!
What lies ahead for Dubstep FBI and BIN, and what can ravers look forward to in your upcoming projects?
We are finalizing a major compilation set to release in March, featuring exceptionally talented artists from North America and Europe — some of whom you may have heard live.
One of our primary goals is to secure a stage takeover at Tomorrowland. While we haven’t locked it in yet, we are preparing to announce a stage takeover at another prominent European festival this summer. Expanding our brand internationally is a key focus, and this takeover will be a significant milestone for us.
Additionally, we are working on expanding our merchandise line, emphasizing premium items that fans can genuinely use. Ultimately, Dubstep FBI has always been about advancing the culture and providing fans with a welcoming community.
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