BADVOID swung by ahead of his Lost Lands set to dive into his love for drum and bass and spin a mix that’s filled to the brim with pure, unadulterated energy.
While the old guard in the drum and bass scene continues to churn out hits and dominate stages worldwide, there’s a new generation of talent that’s quickly ascending its ranks and shaking things up along the way. Among these fresh faces is BADVOID, a British DJ and producer who spent time honing his skills in Australia before making his way to the US to plant his flag. His roots set him on a path to fully embrace the sounds of drum and bass at an early age, and that influence has left a lasting mark on the releases he’s delivered over the past few years.
The sonic side of drum and bass is only one aspect of what makes the genre great, as the community that surrounds it helps keep the passion alive. For BADVOID, this is one of the key reasons why he fell in love with the genre in the first place, and one that still rings true for him to this day.
Drum and bass, and its community, is like a family to me. It’s more than just music; it’s a culture built on unity, energy, and connection. Everyone who comes together around drum and bass does it out of pure passion, and that creates a bond you don’t find everywhere. I really love how die-hard and loyal the fans are; it’s not a casual thing for them, it’s a lifestyle.
BADVOID
Although the UK and Australia have been at the forefront of drum and bass for decades, BADVOID’s new home, the US, has seen the genre ebb and flow in popularity. Yet, over the past few years, it has surged forward at a rapid pace. To BADVOID, that’s due to the hard work that UK artists Chase & Status and the Worship crew have put in to help grow the scene, but also the dedication that North American artists like REAPER, Ghost In Real Life, Rebel Scum, and the OGs have also shown when championing its sound.
“The wave has been building for years. Everyone has been waiting for the moment when it would finally catapult into the US, and now we’re seeing it happen,” BADVOID shared. “Chase & Status and Worship really helped push drum and bass to the forefront of US dance music, but it’s also the collective energy of artists and fans alike that has made it impossible to ignore.”
Now that he’s living in the US, BADVOID is playing an even greater part in the movement to bring drum and bass to the masses. His vision for its future is to see the genre grow to become a “true mainstage force,” which has already begun to be seen at editions of Electric Daisy Carnival and more.
Right now, it’s still in that exciting stage where people are discovering it for the first time, and that curiosity is fueling real momentum. In the next few years, I believe we’ll see more drum and bass acts featured on major festival lineups, dedicated stages, and a greater crossover into mainstream dance music culture.
BADVOID
While true drum and bass domination is on its way, its presence has already grown at bass-fueled festivals like Lost Lands. This year, the lineup features a number of artists, including BADVOID, marking a huge milestone for this British artist to perform at the Excision-led festival—even if dubstep still reigns supreme in Legend Valley.
“Lost Lands is such an iconic festival, and dubstep will always be king there, but I think that’s exactly what makes it so special when drum and bass has its moments,” BADVOID said. “It’s almost like a breath of fresh air, a different kind of energy that cuts through and surprises people.”
For me, playing Lost Lands this year is both an honor and a huge opportunity. I’m excited to represent drum and bass at Lost Lands and show people just how powerful and unifying the genre can be in a setting that’s traditionally dominated by dubstep.
BADVOID
This massive milestone is great, but it doesn’t mean that there haven’t been struggles over the years. BADVOID began his career purely loving the music, but once he landed in the US, it became apparent that the landscape was different. He described his efforts in pushing the genre “like swimming against the grain,” and even said there were times when he was ready to throw in the towel. Yet while hurdles might continue to present themselves, BADVOID is determined to help keep the scene alive and well.
“It’s hard when music is not just your passion but also your livelihood, and you’re putting everything on the line for something that isn’t always mainstream,” BADVOID said. “But those challenges have also made me stronger and more focused. Instead of just being a fan or an artist within the scene, my vision now is about helping drive this culture forward in the US.”
To share a snapshot of his vision and a taste of what’s in store during his set at Lost Lands later this month, BADVOID dropped off a mix for the Drum & Bass Devotions series to spark a fire in your soul. Give it a spin and follow this rising star’s social media channels to stay in the know on his upcoming releases and more.
For this mix, I really just wanted to have fun and capture the energy of what I’m playing in my sets right now. It’s a blend of tracks I’ve been rinsing live, plus some of my recent releases and a few upcoming ones I’m really excited about.
BADVOID
