Born and bred in Atlanta, Herobust burst onto the scene as trap music exploded in late 2012 and 2013 with anthems like ‘Turn Ape’ and ‘We Are’. While many saw him as a newcomer in the game, Herobust had been producing music for years, spanning everything from rap and electronica, to glitch hop and self-named goonstep. His productions have always encompassed an air of innovation that is blended with a southern rap influence. Last year, Herobust began another chapter in his evolution. Starting with ‘Skurt Reynolds’ and continuing with ‘Dirty Work,’ ‘Smother Shit’ and ‘Bottle Swervice,’ the producer threw all genre-based constructs out the window and created some of the most forward thinking bass music of 2015. With his Mad Decent debut I’m Aloud set to drop Friday (Jan. 22), we caught up with Herobust for an exclusive interview. He talks about his dirty south influence, unlocking originality, and of course the upcoming EP.
How did growing up in Atlanta influence your sound?
Atlanta is running the rap game and has been for a while now. Growing up everybody rapped, myself included. The first time I touched an MPC it was to make a rap beat. So my production started with hip hop and slowly got more abstract. Even now, everything I’m making is rooted in hip hop.
Do you feel producing trap is more authentic as you’re from the South?
To some people “trap” means southern rap music about hustling. To others, “trap” refers to a style of EDM. I have a strong connection with the hip hop that EDM trap is derived from and that definitely sets my music apart. I wouldn’t say that my music is more authentic, but it definitely comes naturally to me.
Innovation and originality are harder to prevent than they are to achieve.
Your recent releases are some of the most forward thinking tracks out. How do you continue to stay innovative?
Innovation and originality are harder to prevent than they are to achieve. It occurs naturally because we are all very different people. The expectation that everyone’s music should sound similar, or in defined categories, is crazy to me. Any artist willing to ignore the field and just explore themselves is going to end up with something new and unique.
How do you balance evolving as an artist with retaining your signature sound? Is having a signature sound important in the current climate?
Having a signature sound is everything, especially right now. In the past, most artists stuck to one genre. Now that is not the case. So it is not the genre you choose to make that distinguishes you anymore. Instead, it’s the signature sound that you bring to all genres. Attaining a signature sound is just about doing things yourself and applying your preferences to every little detail. Using sample packs is fine, but don’t rely on them too much. Make your sounds yourself fine tune them how you like. We don’t all have the same taste so we won’t all make the same music right?
Where do you see bass music going in the next year?
I have no idea what is going to happen, but I do know that the future always holds tons of new young producers that will come and kill it. I’m very excited to see and hear.
From ‘Skurt Reynolds’ to ‘Arnold Facepalmer’ and ‘Flossed N Found’ you have some of the best track names in the game. How do you come up with such stellar names for your tracks?
Lol. I don’t know how this all started, but now it’s something that’s always in the back of my mind. I’ll hear a word or phrase in a conversation and be like “Oh! I got a good one for that.”
A few months ago I just saw too many people “waiting for the new wave.”
EDM goes through spurts of innovation where there are waves of creativity with everyone inspired and trying new things. A few months ago I just saw too many people “waiting for the new wave.” My goal with the I’m Aloud EP was just to make unique music that inspired people to find a wave of their own. All the best artists were pioneers at some point, but they had to be inspired enough to take that first leap.
The title I’m Aloud is a pun that refers to one’s originality. It plays on the words allowed vs aloud. Artists need to know that they’re allowed to explore new territory. To adhere to rules or expectations that obscure your unique message is to mute yourself. So be allowed and be aloud.
What are you most proud of as an artist?
By far the most rewarding thing I have done is uniting people and facilitating relationships. Nothing else compares.
What artists inspire and motivate you to work harder and why?
Skrillex inspires me the most because he is so prolific and because he does whatever he wants. He has traversed so many genres and made music with so many vastly different people. He is clearly just having fun and being creative, which I admire.
What makes a Herobust DJ set unique?
The DJ set is all about vibe man. I can honestly say that I don’t know anyone that has as much fun as I do on stage. It’s just so contagious. I’m proud of my mixing skills for sure, but ask any Herobust die hard. It’s all about the vibe.
What can we expect from you in 2016?
More dirty south weirdness. What a time to be alive ;)
Follow Herobust on the social platforms below and look out for I’m Aloud out on Mad Decent January 22nd, it’s going to be a game changer.
Twitter – twitter.com/Herobust
SoundCloud – soundcloud.com/herobust
