HEXXA, the “Dubstep Demon,” has taken the bass scene by storm. Over the last few years, she has graced the stages of major music festivals and released some of the heaviest-hitting tracks in dubstep. But behind the makeup, the drops, and the chaos is Chris Castro, a lifelong musician who evolved into HEXXA.
Long before the decks and festival stages, Chris was a kid learning viola and trumpet, building a foundation in music without knowing where it would eventually take him. That sense of performance followed him into college, where he began exploring drag. This art form would become central to everything HEXXA is today. The name itself came to him in a dream, shaped by late nights watching American Horror Story: Coven and a fascination that clicked into something bigger. As he puts it, he was “obsessed with the ‘Hex Girls,’ so it just made sense to become HEXXA.”
At that point, Chris was already creating a presence in the drag world as HEXXA. But everything shifted the first time he heard “Lockdown” by Excision. “The energy and the way that song can move crowds is so impressive to me.” That moment is when he fell in love with dubstep and realized that he didn’t have to choose between his identities as a performer and a musician. Instead, he fused them, stepping forward as the “Dubstep Drag Queen.”
What followed wasn’t instant success, but steady, intentional growth. Friends helped him learn the fundamentals of DJing, and hours of practice on his XDJ-RX3 sharpened his technical abilities. He worked on tightening transitions, perfecting doubles, and building confidence behind the decks. Production came next, guided by mentorship and ongoing lessons that he still pursues today. It’s a process he’s never rushed, choosing instead to refine his sound constantly.
Breaking into the dubstep world as HEXXA came with its challenges. Not everyone immediately understood or respected what he was doing. But resistance only reinforced his identity rather than softening it. “While those early challenges were difficult, they ultimately helped me stand out in a space where blending in is common, and for that I’m extremely grateful. I’ve met so many people who truly respect and admire what I do. Building that respect and credibility took time, but I’m proud of where I’m at now.”
That perspective shapes the advice he would give to others starting out: “Don’t rush the process or compare yourself to anyone else. Everyone’s path looks different and growth takes time. Focus on learning and practicing your craft with production or DJ’ing while making sure you are showing up consistently, even when it feels discouraging. BE YOURSELF UNAPOLOGETICALLY! Your uniqueness is what will set you apart in the long run and what people will remember you for. And most importantly, build genuine connections, support the people around you, and be a good person forever and always.”
In the studio, HEXXA keeps things simple, just a MacBook Pro M4 running Ableton. Her output is anything but that. Her sound hits hard, unapologetic, and full of attitude. For anyone just discovering her, she points to one track as the perfect introduction: “Femme Fatale.” “It’s aggressive, sassy, and unapologetic, which is exactly how I approach my music and my sets. If you want to understand my energy as an artist, that track says it all.”
That same energy carries into her ambitions. Collaborating with artists like Layz or Vastive is high on her list. “I really connect with their energy, sound design, and the intensity they bring to both their music and live sets. I feel like our styles would complement each other really well and make one hell of a banger.” And while she’s already landed releases on some major labels, she’s aiming even higher. She dreams of releasing tracks on Bassweight, Welcome, Disciple, Deadbeats, and Monstercat.
Of course, HEXXA doesn’t exist without the transformation, and that process is as intentional as the music. It takes up to two hours to fully step into the persona, from makeup to hair to the carefully chosen outfits that define her stage presence. Products like ELF’s Power Grip Primer and Juvia’s Place foundation are products she swears by. As she explains, they deliver “a full coverage look that fights the heat and sweat when I’m dancing for an hour on stage and whipping my hair around.”
Onstage, those hours of preparation culminate in moments that stick forever. Playing Lost Lands 2025 stands above the rest so far. “It’s been my dream festival for so long, and performing there was absolutely insane. Looking out into the crowd and seeing how everyone packed out my set had me so emotional onstage. It was a huge moment for me, and one I’ll always be proud of.”
Still, there’s plenty left on the horizon. With Forbidden Kingdom just around the corner and dreams of taking on EDC Las Vegas’ Basspod and Tomorrowland, HEXXA’s trajectory is only climbing. At the center of it all is a clear vision: to grow without losing authenticity. Her biggest goal is to “continue growing while staying authentic to who I am as an artist and performer. I want to keep pushing my sound, headline more festivals, and eventually have my own tour. Expanding internationally and traveling the world is a huge goal of mine, and I also want to continue creating more space and visibility for queer artists in the bass scene.”
For all the milestones, though, it’s not the stages that define the journey; it’s the people. “The many friends I have made, meeting supporters everywhere I go, exchanging hugs, and having real conversations, mean more to me than anything. When someone thanks me, tells me they feel seen by what I do, or encourages me to keep going, it hits me deeply. Those moments remind me why I started and make all the hard work worth it.”
That connection continues to grow in 2026. With two releases already out and another, “Play Time,” coming out this week, HEXXA is building momentum fast. This year, she says, is “all about new music, bigger shows, and bringing you all into HEXXA’s world even more. I’m working on more releases, exciting collaborations, and continuing to level up both my production and live sets. There’s a lot in the works, and I’m really excited for what’s coming next and to share it with you all.”
When the lights go down and all the makeup is removed, Chris is still there. He can be found searching for the best coffee in whatever city he’s in, diving into horror, playing Fortnite, working out, and spending time with friends.
As for what he leaves fans with, it’s simple but genuine: “I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me along the way and believes in my craft, whether you’ve been here since day one or just recently discovered. I can’t wait to keep sharing this journey with you and show you all the dreams I’m working to turn into reality.”
Follow along with HEXXA’s journey through the dubstep world by using the links below.
