San Diego trap producer XAVAGE recently released several tracks on Boombox Cartel’s MONTA Records, but he’s been in the game since 2015. We had the chance to catch up with him and learn more about his journey from competitive hip-hop dancer to graduate of ICON Collective.
In 2011, XAVAGE attended his first electronic music festival, Beyond Wonderland. It was such a significant experience for him that he still has the schedule pamphlet sitting in his studio. Shortly after, he heard Flosstradamus’ classic remix of Major Lazer’s “Original Don” which quickly sent him down the trap path. “Once I heard that song it was game over, I was absolutely hooked!”
When asked what inspired him to get into producing music, XAVAGE said, “My background in hip-hop dance is ultimately what got me into music and I have been working on the craft for eight years now.” He decided on the name XAVAGE because “It is a play on the word savage, where the X is a symbol of cross characteristics between timeless class and unapologetic edginess. I stand for music that puts dance back into EDM.”
XAVAGE was originally learning to produce music on his own before he was accepted into the prominent Icon Collective music production program, for which he expresses immense gratitude. Now, he has “a dedicated studio with your normal setup of monitors, keyboard, Ableton Push, as well as CDJ’s. I do not play any instruments but am very well versed in music theory and scales.” When asked about developing his sound and goals for his projects, he said “The goal of my music is to get people dancing. I hope my music influences listeners to appreciate trap music that isn’t focused on an “open up the pit” style of music. My music is evolving by creating trap music that is focused on bounce and groove and isn’t concerned about your typical “EDM format” song.”
In 2019, he self-released his first single “I’m a XAVAGE.” If you haven’t had a chance to listen to any of XAVAGE’s tracks yet, he recommends that you check out “Make It Clap” and “If You Need Me, Don’t.” His most recent release was a two-track EP Get Up/Succession on MONTA Records in September. Prior to this, he released music on renowned bass label Circus Records and Trap OG UZ’s label Quality Good Records. XAVAGE expressed, “I appreciate the opportunity to continue releasing on these labels as well as other labels putting out quality trap music.”
Aside from performances, he says that his most memorable moments “have come behind the scenes when I’ve collaborated with other artists.” In his discography, you will find he has projects with many artists such as DARKMARK, Ryan Browne, Jon Casey, The Oshi, NXSTY, and Dabow. If he could collaborate with any artist in the future, his top three are rapper/singer Amine, Tyler The Creator, and the legendary producer Timbaland. If he could perform at any festival, it would be the Olympics of bass music, Lost Lands. The artist he looks up to the most is “Troyboi because of his minimalist approach that perfectly blends hip-hop, pop, and electronic music.”
When he isn’t in the studio creating trap bangers, you can find XAVAGE playing volleyball, hitting the golf course, or working on programming. When asked if there is anything else he would like to share, he wanted to remind everyone to “Stay XAVAGE.” We’re looking forward to more releases and shows from XAVAGE in the near future. Be the first to know XAVAGE news by following him using the links below.
