After ten years of pushing the boundaries of bass music, Deadbeats is still asking the same question: Who’s next?
Driven by a relentless commitment to the underground, that question has followed Zeds Dead since the earliest days of Bassmentality, the acclaimed Toronto party series they founded alongside The Killabits in 2009.
What started as a place to play the dark, heavy UK dubstep, DnB, and grime that the now-iconic bass duo fell in love with quickly became a space for upcoming artists to play freely and connect with the community while introducing fans to sounds they wouldn’t hear anywhere else.
In other words, Zeds Dead was putting artists on long before they stepped into the spotlight themselves.
Fast forward to the birth of Deadbeats in 2016, Zeds Dead engraved that same idea into the fabric of the label. Since then, Deadbeats has opened doors for a multitude of artists through massive releases, legendary tours, radio shows, Red Rocks takeovers, and, of course, the We Are Deadbeats compilation series.
Now, a decade later, that mission comes full circle with the seventh installment of the series.
Released today, August 21, We Are Deadbeats Vol. 7 not only celebrates the longstanding success of Deadbeats but champions the artists fueling the next era of bass music.
We Are Deadbeats Vol. 7 Champions the Next Generation
Since Vol. 1, the Deadbeats Compilation Series has given each new class of producers the chance to introduce themselves on a much larger stage. From REZZ, Subtronics, and Ganja White Night to Jauz, NGHTMRE, and Tape B, previous editions have featured artists who would go on to become some of the most recognizable names in the scene.
With We Are Deadbeats Vol. 7, returning names like Distinct Motive, Hydraulix, Mary Droppinz, and Smoakland bring years of history with the label, while AYCH, OVEREAZY, Blurrd Vzn, Baclash, En:vy, Industry Plants, DR MAD, Froidy, PapaJay, rsUN, Floret Loret, Emrys, and more represent the next wave of talent rising through the underground.
Standout Tracks From We Are Deadbeats Vol. 7
Across 17 tracks, We Are Deadbeats Vol. 7 dives into deep dubstep, halftime, experimental bass, and hip-hop influence, capturing the full spectrum of the Deadbeats sound.
AYCH and OVEREAZY kick off the compilation with hip-hop-riddled bass on 9mm, while PapaJay later balances emotion-driven soundscapes with powerful waves of bass on Bring Me Back. From there, Smoakland and Mystic Methods unleash a fury of heavy, psychedelic wubs on MYSTIC SMOAK before Distinct Motive digs into the hypnotic low end of The Nick.
Hydraulix and Mary Droppinz then ignite the dancefloor with the head-spinning drops of RiGHT TiME while Crawdad Sniper injects deep, rolling basslines into trip-hop rhythms with Lobble Robble.
As the compilation comes to an end, Die By The Sword then highlights his meticulous approach to sound design with Land of Wolves before rsUN and Floret Loret’s massive collab Mind takes listeners on a cinematic journey in itself.
Altogether, these tracks not only reflect the undeniable evolution of Deadbeats but highlight the forward-thinking creativity driving the label into its next decade.
The Bassmentality Mindset Never Left
At its core, We Are Deadbeats Vol. 7 is a reminder that the spirit that started Bassmentality and fueled Deadbeats has remained with Zeds Dead through every stage of their illustrious career.
Throughout the past decade, Deadbeats has become one of the most coveted labels in bass music, giving Zeds Dead an even larger platform to continue the mission they first started in 2009, uplifting the artists taking bass music to new territories.
Celebrating ten years as a label with yet another compilation centered around the next generation, Zeds Dead and Deadbeats not only keep the culture moving forward but stay true to that underground sound that started it all.
