LA-based BINKS is a trap OG that still somehow remains slept on. As half of Pyramid Juke he helped to shape the electronic trap genre with a slew of bangers including the classic ‘Yen’ alongside Ookay. In the past few years, he’s launched his own solo project and signed with Mayhem’s SKRONG record label. With the release of his Frequencies, Hope and Transcendence EPs, BINKS has proven his skills continue to sharpen with time. 2020 is shaping up to be BINKS biggest year ever, with collaborative projects in the works with Bro Safari and PRYZMS, plus a ton of solo material on the way.
We caught up with BINKS for an exclusive guest mix and interview. The mix showcase BINKS heavy-hitting trap and bass style perfectly and even teases upcoming collabs alongside legends Bro Safari and Craze. As for the interview, we discuss his early trap roots, personal transformation, 2020 outlook and more.
Can you tell us about your roots in Pyramid Juke and your role in the early stages of electronic trap music?
So Pyramid Juke was one of the many artists who help set the direction of edm trap music. We didn’t blow up but we did make a lot of noise.The last EP we released was in 2014 on 12th Planet’s Record Label Smog. We were turning heads but we lacked consistency & effective communication so it fell apart.
You went through a pretty big personal transformation over the past few years. From a new exercise regimen and yoga, to a plant based diet and meditation. What prompted this change?
Well during my early 20’s I was feeling like shit all the time. Depression was kicking my ass & I was worried about how my health would turn out if I continued my poor lifestyle habits. So I searched for a solution to rid myself of the unpleasant feelings that have haunted me for years.
The changes impacted my life in such a positive way. I lost 60 pounds in total. I have more energy, I’m not depressed & I feel more focused than ever before.
How have the changes impacted your life and musical output?
The changes impacted my life in such a positive way. I lost 60 pounds in total. I have more energy, I’m not depressed & I feel more focused than ever before. I work a day job & go to the gym so it feels nice to still have energy for music.
How did you connect with Mayhem and Skrong? What’s it been like working with them?
Well after Pyramid Juke fell off, I started to release music on my own because the thought of not releasing any music made me sad. I picked a name that I thought sounded cool & started working. I released singles on my SoundCloud & Mayhem would always show love & drop comments on my tracks. Mayhem was the only OG at the time really fucking with my music & one day he sent me a message on SoundCloud asking if I would be down to drop an EP on his label SKRONG. Fast forward to 4 amazing years later & I’m still with them. Mayhem & SKRONG gave me hope again, I was sad after Pyramid Juke because I felt like maybe music was not meant for me. SKRONG showed me that music is & will always be meant for me.
I love adding specific percussion sounds in my songs because it reminds me of my ancestral background. It reminds me that they still live through me now & forever.
I read that you have indigenous roots. Has that any impact or influence on your music?
Yes I do! To the indigenous people of Mexico & it certainly does! I love adding specific percussion sounds in my songs because it reminds me of my ancestral background. It reminds me that they still live through me now & forever.
You seem to have an inclination for collaboration. What is it about working with other artists that you enjoy so much?
It’s nice having different perspectives when creating music, sometimes other people can see & hear things you can’t & that helps me observe the spectrum from a different lens.
Do you think coming up as part of duo had any impact on this?
It def played a role but I also enjoy having my own space to create.
I heard that you have an EP with Bro Safari in the works. What should we expect from it? Do you have any release timing in mind?
Yes I do! It’s been so much fun working with Nick! I actually dropped 2 IDs in this mix of our unreleased tunes so everyone can see what we got going on! As of right now no solid release date yet, but I will def keep y’all looped in!
So for 2020 I’ve got an EP with my boy Pryzms dropping on SKRONG, I have a collab with the OG Craze coming out on SLOW ROAST, I have collaborations with Mayhem, Armanni Reign, Drug Money, Nate Rose, ZIGGY2PLAYA & Kevin Flum…
What else do you have planned for 2020?
So for 2020 I’ve got an EP with my boy Pryzms dropping on SKRONG, I have a collab with the OG Craze coming out on SLOW ROAST, I have collaborations with Mayhem, Armanni Reign, Drug Money, Nate Rose, ZIGGY2PLAYA & Kevin Flum. I’m also working on another solo EP & still have about 10 more instrumentals that need rappers & singers so I’m def locked in for 2020.
Tell us about the mix. What should listeners expect. What was your aim when putting it together?
The aim of this mix was to show the listeners what to expect from the BINKS project in 2020. I added some unreleased tunes in this mix with the collaborators that I mentioned above & I also have some fairly recent singles of mine & other artists that have inspired me in this mix.
Any final words or advice you’d like to leave fans with?
Thank you for taking time out of your day to support me! I appreciate every single one of you so much! I hope you enjoy this mix as much as I enjoyed putting it together for you. Remember if you have a dream go chase it & never give up! You are all worthy of greatness & love. Again, thank you, I love you! May the universe flow in your favor!
Tracklist
1. VHOOR – Con Altura
2. BINKS – Ego
3. BINKS – ID
4. Serious Klein – 91 Flex
5. BINKS x Nate Rose – Monument
6. BINKS x Pryzms – Trip
7. J.I.D – Westbrook Ft. A$AP Ferg [BINKS Remix]
8. BINKS x Pryzms – Limitless
9. Rad Hatter – Airwalk
10. BRO SAFARI x BINKS – ID
11. Drift Boy – Grind 12. JD. Reid – Roshi (Ft D Double E) [BINKS Remix]
13. Inimicvs – Ridin’ Round (feat. Dilip & Olswel)
14. BINKS x ZIGGY2PLAYA – Creature
15. HXRY – Bottles
16. Sebjin – Tempest
17. BINKS – Consciousness
18. BINKS – Rage
19. BINKS x Pryzms – Whip It
20. Anti – Gate
21. NIGHT GRIND & Weird Kid – Fallen
22. Manman Savage – I Won’t Go Out Sad (Prod By Mayhem)
23. YFN KAY – Traffic (Prod By Pryzms)
24. BINKS x Gnosis – Transcendence
25. BINKS x Gnosis – Symbiot
26. Busta Rhymes – Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See (Nightpunk Remix)
27. Mayhem – Odyssey
28. BRO SAFARI x BINKS – ID
29. Eprom – Hurricane [BINKS Remix]
30. Integrate – Say Less 31. BINKS x Gnosis – Calcination
32. Hapa – Fire & Brimstone (feat. Noer The Boy)
33. DVNGLEZ – Binary Mind ft. NIK P
34. Chee – Eddy Morphine
35. Kije – Morze
36. Herzeloyde – Inverted Bumps ft Hapa & Tsuruda
37. BINKS – Mantra (ft Gnosis)
38. Levitate – Pitchblaque [BINKS Remix]
39. Algo – Hindsight
40. Noisia – Sinkhole
41. Signal – Lunala
42. Ivy Lab x Two Fingers – Orange
43. BINKS x Gnosis – Astral Projection
44. Craze x BINKS – Bring The Power Back
