Meet CAB, Rising Trap Artist and Champion of Extreme Dance Music (XDM)

CAB swung by to chat about his journey as an artist, why he defines his music as XDM, and get his thoughts on the revival of trap music.

While many in the scene have likely caught wind of the trap music revival that’s supposedly brewing, few can pinpoint who is responsible for bringing it to the center stage once again. Besides the OGs who cultivated the community and the better-known artists who came to take the lead, a handful of artists have lent their creative flare to the cause. CAB is one of them.

CAB is an electrifying young trap artist based out of San Marcos, Texas. Diving into his project in 2020 at the height of the pandemic seemed daunting, but he took it in stride, taking the extra time to perfect his sound and vision. In just a short few years, that dedication has paid off. He’s joined the ranks of other aspiring young trap and wave artists who are taking the scene by storm. Not only has he gained traction with fans through his unique production style, but he’s even caught the ears of some major players, gaining support from artists like RL Grime, Rossy, and Flosstradamus.

Currently, CAB is hot off releasing his new single, “WISH.” The track is a perfect example of his electric energy, with pristine production that will surely continue to propel his career. Before that track, he also found a home on the latest compilation from RL Grime’s Sable Valley, Sable Valley Summer Vol. 4, with “KILLERSOUND,” a collaboration with Virus Mafia that was one of the best trap and wave tracks that dropped all season.

Looking to gain more insight into the story behind this rising star in the scene, we caught up with CAB to dig into his backstory and more. Listen to his exclusive guest mix and read on for the full conversation.

Stream EDMID Guest Mix 392 || CAB on SoundCloud:

Hi CAB! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Let’s start with the origins of CAB. What inspirations led you to pursue music production, and how did they influence the CAB sound?

Thank you for having me! Growing up, YouTube was always fun to watch. From discovering new and old music to watching tutorials on DJing and production, YouTube played a big part in me fully diving into becoming not only a music producer but a creative. However, being surrounded by live music both as a fan and as staff made me admire music and concerts so much more. My favorite genre besides electronic has to be rock. Seeing bands having so much fun on stage inspired me to not only create music but also perform and play the music I create.

We see that you’re from San Marcos, Texas. What was it like breaking into the scene there, and how did that challenge your growth as an artist?

Breaking into the scene was quite difficult for me. When I first moved here from Corpus Christi, Texas, I was 19 years old and knew nobody within the scene in San Marcos. Although it’s a mall college town just outside of Austin, it has a world-renowned venue, The Marc, known for bringing in crazy artists such as Diplo, RL Grime, and DJ DIESEL, aka SHAQ. I wanted to play there so badly. I realized if I wanted to play, I would have to take my project more seriously. Right when I made that decision, the world had entered a pandemic. The pandemic helped me, giving me time to learn music production and create my story.

You’ve posted about using “XDM” in place of “EDM.” Can you tell readers more about that and what it means to you?

XDM means everything to me. For starters, XDM is an abbreviation for extreme dance music. When first beginning my project, I had a hard time identifying myself and what genre I fell into. Some may say my music was too dubstep to be trap and too crazy even to be considered EDM. What I knew about my music was that it was still danceable, which sparked the idea for XDM, extreme dance music. Over time, other producers and fans have begun to use the terms as it represents a sense of community and belonging. The times we are entering sonically are insane, and I think the term XDM perfectly matches the vibe of the new wave of electronic music.

Your recent release, “WISH,” was a high-energy track that surely sounds insane live. What was the production process like for it?

It’s definitely pop city when the song is played live! When writing that song, of course, I had XDM in mind, but I was also just thinking about a good opening track for my sets. The modern hip-hop lead and catchy vocals were sure to grab the audience or listeners’ attention and drive the rest of the record. I feel that it represents my project so well, along with capturing the evolution of my sound.

Another one of your recent releases, “KILLERSOUND” with Virus Mafia, was part of a super stacked Sable Valley Summer compilation that dropped earlier this year. What was it like being a part of that compilation?

It was such an honor to be a part of yet another classic compilation. RL GRIME had been rinsing the demo of “KILLERSOUND” for a little over a year, so it was right to release the record with Sable Valley. I can’t thank RL GRIME enough for showing love for my project and continuing to be a leader and innovator in dance music. With “KILLERSOUND” being my second release with the Sable Valley Institute, I hope to make my next two terms even more memorable.

You’re part of a cluster of artists reimagining trap music and contributing to what many are calling a revival of the genre. What are your thoughts on the state of trap music today?

It’s a beautiful time right now for trap music, and it’s so crazy to be in the conversation around artists who are a part of the renaissance of trap. I believe trap will have that nationwide breakthrough this coming year. I believe that what goes around comes around, so that we may be reliving that golden era of trap music again.

What’s coming up next for CAB?

Right now, I’m gearing up for an exciting 2024 with new music and new shows. This past year was so great. I couldn’t have imagined a better year between releasing my favorite music, my second term at Sable Valley, and making my Los Angeles debut with Pauline Herr. That was so much fun to play!

Finally, just for fun, as a San Marcos local, what’s your favorite place to grab a bit to eat that you’d take us when we come to visit?

I’m a big breakfast guy, and this one spot is the sole reason I don’t think I’ll ever leave San Marcos. The place is called Dos Gatos Cafe. It’s a dope cafe spot that specializes in kolaches, basically a glizzy for breakfast. [Laughs] But the kolaches are so good, as well as the beverages they offer.

Follow CAB:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud