On one fateful night in Brooklyn, WRAZ and HYPHO, two rising stars of dubstep, stepped behind the decks side by side. What ensued was nothing short of legendary as WRAZ’s punishing bangers blended with HYPHO’s unmistakable UK swagger. Since that b2b set back in 2023, the duo has cemented themselves as groundbreaking forces in bass music.
As stalwarts of the Deep Dark & Dangerous roster, these two heavyweight producers have flexed their extensive catalogs on stages across the globe, amassing massive followings in their own right. Now, HYPHO and WRAZ are bringing their unique skill sets to one of the most anticipated projects of the year.
Their new album, Global, marks a new chapter long in the making for these collaborators and friends. On Friday, November 20, HYPHO and WRAZ make their joint return to Brooklyn as they provide direct support for the legendary TRUTH. '
We caught up with the duo to talk about how Global came to be, that fateful night in Brooklyn, and what they have planned next.
Behind the scenes, this project has been a long time coming. When did the two of you realize you wanted to join forces, and when did you start working on the project officially? How did early collaborations evolve into Global?
We’ve both been touring across North America for years, meeting in green rooms all over the continent. Over time, we developed a strong bond through conversation & collaboration on a bunch of different projects & shows - and it became obvious that we had a similar view on artistry and the craft of producing. It really came naturally for us and became obvious that we should make a bigger piece of work together - and collaborate on a full LP and tour!
Nearly four years ago, we brought you both out for a renegade warehouse show in Brooklyn. What do you both remember from that night, and how did that show facilitate your collaboration?
This show was so legendary - a real rave experience. Half abandoned warehouse, creepy elevator, no re-entry, people smoking cigarettes inside with no windows, MASSIVE sound system and some dope lighting. Everything about that night was so sick and made it feel like proper underground culture.
This was the first time we were both hanging out for a couple days, and we actually made our very first collab the very next day at Chris’ house - originally called Clockwork. We played it live for a couple years but never released it. As we were making the Global LP, we decided to revisit the Ableton project and ended remaking a version for a MC to rap on. JoSoSick came through with the legendary ACTUAL FACTUALS vocals, making the tune iconic - it’s the 6th track of our Global LP.
Why do you think you work so well together, and what do you each bring to the table on Global?
I (Wraz) think we both have very different backgrounds, with Hypho growing up in Northern England and myself growing up in Quebec as a French-Canadian. However, we definitely have some of our influences connecting making it so that we both add a different spice to the music without going out of taste. I tend to bring the heavier influence & sound design when we make more of a banger track, and Lou (Hypho) brings the UK influence, and also knows so many UK MCs that he brought into the project.
It’s also very fun to create together, because one of my main strengths is developing ideas. So when Hypho starts a new beat, it’s often different than the kind of ideas I’ll come up with on the spot. It makes it fun for me to take that idea and develop it on a larger scale, and integrate his idea into my workflow making something brand new that none of us would have thought of by ourselves. Collaboration is so powerful!
How does the energy of your b2b sets differ from your solo sets? How have those performances evolved since your first one?
What’s really cool with the B2Bs is that we really bounce off each other and like to surprise the audience with contrasting beats, going from heavier Dubstep to Grime into something Deeper and minimal, to melodic, to UKG, then back to heavier Dubstep. Never let them know your next move kind of vibe!
We also showcase a LOT of our original music, making it super unique and recognizable. We also like to go 1 for 1, so the flow of the mix is fast-paced, and we’re always preparing our next move while the other is mixing.
As two artists who hail from abroad, you've established yourselves as innovators in the American scene. How has your perspective on bass music in this country changed, and where do you think it's headed?
Wraz: I think we live in a chronically online era, and social media has a big influence on everything in general. However, what I love about this scene is that people still show up to experience sound system culture in person, keeping the community alive and well. The dancefloors are definitely different than before, but in the right circumstances, the magic still happens in the underground. Shout out to all the real ones out there !
Hypho: Coming from the UK, where bass music is so deeply rooted in underground culture, sound system culture, grime, garage and dubstep, it’s been really interesting seeing how America has embraced it and developed its own identity.
When I first started coming over, I noticed how different the energy was. Everything felt bigger, from the production to the crowds, but over the years I’ve seen a real shift towards people appreciating the deeper, more stripped-back and experimental side of bass music, which is something I’ve always been passionate about.
I’ve always loved the raw, underground side of things. The 140 sound, the space between the sounds, the weight of the subs and the culture behind it all. It’s amazing seeing more American crowds connecting with that.
I think the future is in artists pushing boundaries, blending influences and not being afraid to sound different. I’d love to see more UK and US sounds crossing over, while keeping that underground authenticity alive. For me, it’s never been about making the biggest drop. It’s about creating something that makes you feel something, and I think there’s a real hunger for that out here.
Having extensively toured around the world and experienced various artist communities, how would you describe the unifying thread that runs through bass music?
The unifying thread is the love of the music and the culture. Most people in the scene - we’re all outcasts & misfits in our own ways - so I (Wraz) feel that we all share this unique connection to music that makes our whole world revolve around it. No matter where I go, I meet so many passionate people and it’s always a privilege for me to be able to connect with all these people
As we mentioned, you've both come a long way in the scene, and this month you'll be providing direct support for the legendary Truth in NYC. How does that milestone make you feel, and what else do you both want to achieve individually and perhaps together still?
Truth have been our brothers for years, and we’ve been playing so many Deep Dark & Dangerous shows with them over the years, it feels like a big family reunion as always. Much respect to the boys for creating such a massive movement; we’re always grateful to be a part of it all!
During the Global Tour we’re working on a second album with a whole bunch of new people - so that’s the plan for next year - to release a second album after the tour. We also have so many individual projects to showcase, you’ll see them pop up on both our profiles in the next few months!
