Get To Know The Genre-Bending Genius Of BILLYTHEKID

BILLYTHEKID popped by to give us the lowdown on his beginnings as an artist, the evolution of his project, and what it’s like navigating the scene as a rising artist in 2025.

Florida’s electronic music scene is bursting with talent, churning out some of the biggest names on this year’s lineups. Billy Ziegler, better known as BILLYTHEKID, is aiming to become the next “most wanted” artist, bringing the untamed energy of the Wild West to the rave.

The Tampa-based bass artist has found success through his unique production style, securing releases on massive labels including Subsidia, Dim Mak, and Black Tiger Sex Machine‘s Kannibalen. What began as strictly a dubstep project has evolved into something bigger, branching into multiple subgenres of bass music as BILLYTHEKID harnesses his creativity into sonic storytelling.

Before the year’s close, we had the opportunity to chat with BILLYTHEKID about his identity as an artist, embracing genre fluidity, and what his fans, aka The Outlaws, can expect from him in 2026. Read along for our full conversation and give his exclusive mix a spin!

Stream EDMID Guest Mix 484 || BILLYTHEKID on SoundCloud:

Billy the Kid was a legendary American outlaw. What inspired you to choose the name for your project, and how does the western theme tie into your identity as an artist?

I’ve always liked the idea of the outlaw, not in the criminal sense, but as someone who goes against the grain and lives by their own rules. That’s how I’ve always approached music, and honestly, life in general. I’ve never wanted to follow trends or do what everyone else is doing.

The western theme came naturally after that. It turned into this whole world I’ve been building around the name, we’re really going to dive deep into that over the next year!

When did you first realize you wanted to become a DJ, and what steps did you take to hone your sound and skills?

I first realized I wanted to become a DJ after my first show ever — Bingo Players at Webster Hall. The energy in that room was unreal. I didn’t even fully understand what was happening at the time, but I knew right then I wanted to be part of that world somehow.

I ended up going in a completely different direction musically, but that show lit the spark. From there, I dove deep into production, spent years learning sound design, mixing, and really shaping my own style. It’s been a grind, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

You’ve recently shifted from producing strictly dubstep to allowing yourself to create without putting yourself in a box. How has embracing genre fluidity impacted your energy and outlook on your music?

Everything changed! I started realizing I was drifting further away from the artist I actually wanted to be. I was making music for labels or for a certain audience instead of just creating what felt natural. Nothing against dubstep at all, I just wasn’t making it for the right reasons anymore.

Taking a step back and allowing myself to experiment outside that box completely opened my mind. It’s brought in so many new ideas and opportunities, even outside the electronic world. Now, when I do go back and make a dubstep track, it comes from a genuine place, and it feels way more aligned with who I am and where I want my sound to go.

Your latest track, “BACK,” is a 90 BPM trap tune that marks a shift from the sound you started the BILLYTHEKID project with. What inspired you to experiment with midtempo in this direction, and what did you hope to convey through it?

This track really came from starting completely fresh; a blank template in Ableton, no expectations, no plan. I wanted to mess around in a BPM that felt foreign to me, but was still tied to a genre I love producing. Once I got going, the ideas just flowed. It was one of those sessions where everything clicked naturally and evolved into what became “BACK.”

I went into it chasing energy — something aggressive, fast-paced, and raw. I wasn’t thinking about who was going to like it or what label it might fit on. It was purely, what do I like? What do I want the track to feel like? And that mindset shift made the process way more fun and authentic.

You’ve garnered support from industry heavyweight Excision, landing two releases on his Subsidia label. How has working with such an influential name in bass music helped shape your career?

Getting support from Excision and landing releases on Subsidia was a huge moment for me. He’s someone who’s helped shape the entire bass scene, so to have him back, what I’m doing meant a lot. It really gave me confidence that the years I spent building my sound were paying off.

It also showed me how far consistency can take you. That if you keep your head down and stay true to your sound, people notice. Those releases opened doors, but more importantly, they helped me realize that I didn’t need to chase validation anymore. It reminded me that the goal isn’t to fit in, it’s to keep growing and evolving as an artist.

As an up-and-coming DJ in the digital age, how has social media shaped your day-to-day as an artist and contributed to your success thus far?

Social media plays a massive role in being an artist today. It’s honestly a full-time job in itself. It’s not just about posting music anymore; it’s about storytelling and giving people a reason to care. I’ve learned that consistency and authenticity matter way more than chasing trends.

For me, it’s become part of my daily routine — filming content, editing videos, connecting with people directly. It can definitely be exhausting at times, but it’s also the main reason I’ve been able to grow the project and reach new fans. The internet leveled the playing field, so if you’re willing to put in the work, you can build something real from the ground up.

For someone just discovering your music, which of your songs should they start with, and what makes it a good introduction to your sound?

Honestly, I still love my early releases just as much as the new ones. I’d tell people to start with “Bring It Back,” which was my second release and still one of my favorites because it really set the tone for what I wanted the project to be. Then check out “Sharp Stick,” which was a dubstep track that captured the energy and heaviness I was known for at the time.

From there, jump to my newer songs like “BACK” and “GOIN HARD.” Those tracks show how my sound has evolved. Still high energy and gritty, but with more freedom and confidence behind it. Together, they really paint the full picture of my journey as an artist.

As we wrap up 2025, can you share any insight into what’s next for the BILLYTHEKID project?

2025 has really been about rebuilding the foundation and figuring out who I am as an artist again. Going into next year, it’s all about taking everything I’ve learned and putting it into the next phase of the BILLYTHEKID story.

I’ve been working on a lot of new music that’s pushing beyond just the heavy stuff with more storytelling, emotion, and world-building around the project. We’re diving deeper into the western theme and really bringing that universe to life visually and sonically.