Multi-talented artist Bella Renee swung by to tell us how drum and bass changed her life and share her thoughts on the genre’s future.
DJ, producer, and vocalist Bella Renee has been on quite a ride in the scene lately. This Phoenix-based rising artist has been making the desert even hotter with banging tunes and performances that continue to turn heads. While she’s found her way into multiple genres over the years, there’s one that’s completely won her over: drum and bass.
“Drum and bass has become such an unexpected part of who I am,” Bella Renee told us before diving into the story behind how the genre changed her life. That massive change happened in 2021 when she teamed up with REAPER for “IMY,” a track she would go on to play out at festivals like EDC Las Vegas, Beyond Wonderland, Countdown, and more.
“IMY” has since surpassed 26 million streams, has seen support from Excision and Illenium, and was even the grand finale track for the closing show at kineticFIELD EDC Las Vegas in 2023. “I had no idea then what that one drum and bass song would do for me and my life!” she exclaimed.
The music is only one part of the equation for Bella Renee, though, as the community has kept her motivated. “I have truly met some of the sweetest humans in the EDM community and connected with so many amazing artists and fans in the drum and bass scene, and I’m so thankful for that,” she shared. “It inspired me to make my own original Bella Renee drum and bass music.”
I started DJing because of drum and bass and how much I absolutely love it. The way I can blend my influences from Paramore and Linkin Park and perform it in such an epic way is the best thing in the world.
Bella Renee
Those aforementioned artists include Skellytn and Dr Apollo, two of Bella’s closest friends who have encouraged her to push herself and reassure her along the way. “It’s been beautiful having their support, making music together, and watching our journeys in drum and bass unfold together,” she told us.
Bella Renee isn’t the only drum and bass artist who saw its surge in popularity in recent years. “I noticed that DJs started sneaking a few drum and bass gems here and there in their sets in the past few years,” she said. “Especially playing it on main stages like Coachella by Fred again.., Four Tet, and Skrillex, and that became super popular.”
After people started reacting well in the crowds and it became more common, more DJs started to release drum and bass records; some even created whole DNB sets or aliases, and it just started to pop off. I think this shined a light on some of the up-and-coming drum and bass producers and started a whole movement in the US.
Bella Renee
As drum and bass becomes even more popular, artists like Bella Renee are at the forefront of its sonic evolution. One listen to her releases will put her style on display, especially in tracks like “Hollow” with Skellytn and “COLD CASE” with REAPER. She’s also gone beyond the reaches of the genre, dipping into bass house with Benzi and Velvet Cash on “My Fix” and dubstep with Neotek and Jacknife on “BREATHLESS.”
I want to see drum and bass continue to evolve but continue to be that same fun, unique genre with innovative twists and a nostalgic feel. I hope to bring a new sound to drum and bass with my songwriting and vocal performances during my sets while also paying respect to the original drum and bass legends, staying educated on its history and where it came from, and creating new lanes and sounds to be heard through this genre.
Bella Renee
To Bella Renee, that future also includes her hopes that a festival like Rampage will make its way to US soil soon and that more drum and bass acts will grace mainstages. And after WORSHIP took over kineticFIELD at EDC Orlando this past weekend, it certainly feels like her prayers are being answered.
Bella Renee also made it clear that some amazing women are also helping push drum and bass forward into the future. “Artists like Becky Hill, Kenya Grace, Charlotte Plank, Koven, A Little Sound, and Venbee are absolute powerhouses in the genre,” she said. “[They] create a lane for women and artists to keep innovating and shining their lights in the genre.”
I have significantly seen a huge shift in the appreciation of drum and bass in America. We don’t give enough credit to the people who started to open themselves up to new genres, sounds, and feelings. When you open your mind to new things, there’s bravery and curiosity, and I think that’s something beautiful to acknowledge.
Bella Renee
As the conversation came to a close, Bella Renee had some artists she wanted to spotlight who she’s been tuned to recently and you should check out. “Skellytn makes heavy and grimey neuro DnB, Dr. Apollo makes super high-energy DnB with unique basslines, and Don Darkoe has a super heavy, unique, energetic jump-up sound that I love,” she told us. “Honestly, Neotek and I have been making some awesome drum and bass that I’ve been super happy with. It’s like alt-rock DnB. Charlotte Plank has been making some cool poppy, energetic tunes that I’ve loved and been inspired by lately!”
Listen to this exclusive guest mix from Bella Renee on SoundCloud, and follow her on social media to stay in the know on her upcoming releases and shows!
