GREAT THINGS TYPICALLY COME IN PAIRS. Two for one drinks, double rainbows, a pair of kidneys and Zeds Dead. The duo, comprised of DC and Hooks, is an electronic phenomenon that began as a friendship in Toronto, Ontario in the early millennium. They met over a mutual interest in graffiti, but by 2004 they were producing hip-hop under the name Mass Productions. Their career has been a snowball effect since then. They have dabbled in pretty much every genre stretching from hip hop to graffiti, but by 2004 they were producing hip-hop the weekly party “Bassmentality” wth The Killabits. It was a hug success from the beginning, a d was not uncanny for them to be hosting alongsid in ernational artists. Self- ated, he team has opted to st y independent as well. They were adamant about the importance of having t drive to succeed and letting the music speak for itself.
“With all the social networking sites, ols ar
already at your disposal,” said DC and Hooks together, the importance of having the drive to succeed and letting the music speak for itself.
electro, and upon the formation of Zeds Dead in 2009 came under the name Mass Productions. Their career has been a snowball effect since then. They have dabbled in pretty much every genre, stretching from hip-hop motitvo electro, and upon the formation of Zeds Dead in 2009 came the weekly party Bassmentality with The Killabits. It was a huge success from the beginning, and was not unheard of for them to be hosting alongside international artists. Self-motivated, the t teoam opted to stay independent as well. They were adamant about “people are buying records less and there are reality TV shows rather than music videos, so the need for a label’s financial backing is not so important. If you "With all the social networking sites, the tools are
have good management, I feel like you could go far.” already at your disposal," says DC and Hooks together, "people are buying records less and there are reality wildfire internationally, and they contribute a good amount of that success to their accessibility. They’ve released ar und twenty productions, and al have
ontinue to gr w ne evolves. Somet mes they
creat music together, but most of the time they start given away free of cost. Just through YouTube and
and B atport alone, they we e able to ignite and wildfire internationally, and they c contribute a good amount of that success to their accessibility. They've released around twenty productions, and all have been on separate ends of the playing field, only to meet in the middle later on.
They have definitel gon fa . Zeds Dead caught on like TV shows rather than music videos, so the need for a label's financial backing is not so important. If you have good management, we feel like you could go far." them have been free of cost. Just through YouTube They have definitely gone far. Zeds Dead caught on like instantly gain millions of hits. T and develop as the s
ZEDSDEAD G
BUILDING A BRAND WITH
Words byCRISTINA OUTLAND Press photos byMARIA JOSE GOVEA
reat things typically come in pairs. meldevelop as the scene evolves. Sometimes they create pro dance, o it makes for a great show." Two for one drinks, double rainbows, mysmusic together, but mos of the time they st rt on a pair of kidneys nd Zeds Dead. The It’s asleparate ends of the playing field, only to meet in the duo, comprised of DC and Hooks, is an electronic phenomenon that began as a friendship in Toronto, Ontario in the early millennium. They met over a mutual interest in
“The development of our sound starts with an idea or a ody in my head,” DC said, “Sometimes, I will record elf humming something to use as reference later on. l about the spark. Maybe it’s a melody or a sample, but er way, the stronger the spark, the fleshier the track will be.”"The development of our sound starts with an idea or a melody in my head," DC says. "Sometimes I will They stated that they never musically stay in one place for any length of time, but are currently sporting the nasty ic dubstep bea s heard in their big est remix of Blue e.
eithmiddle later on. Foundation’s Eyes On Fir
WHEN BASSMENTALITY BEGAN, WE PLAYED DUBSTEP AND THE WHOLE CROWD LEFT. NOW, LOOK WHAT IT HAS BECOME
They stated that they never musically stay in one place for any length of time, but are currently sporting the nasty melodic dubstep beats heard in their giant remix of Blue Foundation's 'Eyes On Fire'.
“I remember when Bassmentality began,” said DC and Hooks collectively, “We played dubstep and the whole crowd left. Now, look what it has become. You just have to adapt. I really love the grimy, sweaty basement vibe though. Our music suits the dark best. People are less inhibited to dance, so it makes for a great show.”
Beatport alone they were able to ignite and instantly arselove the grimy, sweaty basement vibe though. Our gain millions of hits. They continue to grow and
LynX,
It helps to have expl sive s pporting acts in th nal,
WHEN BASSMENTALITY BEGAN, WE PLAYED DUBSTEP AND THE WHOLE CROWD LEFT. NOW, LOOK WHAT IT HAS BECOME
I REMEMBER I REMEMBER
long t me friend and music suits the dark best. People are less inhibited to
record myself humming something to use as reference so faarlready well-established sound. ater on. It’s all about the spark. Maybe it’s a melody or meload sample, but either way, the stronger the spark, the fleshier the track will be."
collaborator, has made many appearances in past ductions, bringing just one more element to their already well-established sound.
“Oma has been around since before our electro days”, collaborator, has made many appearances in past experiment with dubstep. He seemed kay with that, and
It helps to have explosive supporting acts in the arsenal, too. Omar LynX, long time friend and
said DC,” We started out making hi -hop, but wanted to productions, bringing just one more element to their it has gone well.”
Collaboration- wise, th duo is happy where they are, but to experiment with dubstep. He seemed okay with Mant ihat, and so far it has gone well."
"Omar has been around since before our electro days", says DC." We started out making hip-hop, but wanted stated that they’d love to mee up with Redman or Method n the future.
Collaboration- wise, the duo is happy where they are, Redman”, recalled Hooks, “They just have such a good way teracting with the crowd. They told everyone in the crowd to scream as loud as they could for as long as they "I think the best show I've ever seen live is Method man also did a backflip off a 40-foot speaker on to the ground. I was front and center for that show, efinitely.”
For the time being, they have shows booke in Europe,
Puerto Rico, and South America. They also said they have a 40-foot speaker on to the ground. I was front and center for that show, definitely."
all in suspense...
"I remember when Bassmentality began," they tell us. "We played dubstep and the whole crowd left. Now, look what it has become. You just have to adapt. I really too. Omar
“I think the best sho I’ve ever seen live is Method Man and but stated that they'd love to meet up with Redman or of inMethod Man in the future.
could, and everyone did. I’ve never seen anything like it. RedMan and Redman", recalls Hooks. "They just have such a good way of interacting with the crowd. They told everyone in the crowd to scream as loud as they could for as long as they could, and everyone did. I've never seen anything like it. Redman also did a backflip off some unique projects in the mix. They rapped an EP which is set to be released soon, but will also release another mixed genre album as well.
“Expect some more unexpected shit ” DC said, leaving us Altered States tour in the fall. They also tell us they have some unique projects in the mix. They've wrapped up a new EP, recently posted a free download of 'By Your Side' from their recent Essential Mix and will also release another mixed genre album.
For the time being, they have shows booked in Europe, Puerto Rico and South America, with an extensive US
Words by KRISTINA OUTLAND Press photos by MARIA JOSE GOVEA
"Expect some more unexpected shit," adds DC, leaving us all in suspense...
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