COSTA on His SoundCloud Rise, History with Hip Hop, and What’s Next

3 weeks ago 5

Following his Electric Forest debut, COSTA dropped by to discuss his approach to production, festival appearances, and when fans can expect some original tunes.

New kid on the block COSTA arrives on the dubstep scene with a stockpile of party-starting remixes and flips that have caught on like wildfire. While many people in their early twenties are just figuring out their path, he has quickly solidified himself as an artist to watch due to his dynamic production style, which brings a new story to nostalgic tracks.

If you’re completely unfamiliar with the rising talent, COSTA is climbing the ranks, receiving support from John Summit, CRANKDAT, Gryffin, and ALLEYCVT. His massive headline tour kicked off with two performances at Electric Forest, and includes stops at Freaky Deaky and Subtronics’ Cyclops Cove 4 this December.

Although he’s yet to release any original tracks, his sound has resonated with fans as he’s amassed nearly 30,000 followers on both Instagram and SoundCloud. With even more buzz surrounding COSTA than ever before, it’s clear he’s just getting started pushing the envelope. Continue reading for an up-close look into the project.

Stream “BEFORE HE CHEATS” (COSTA REMIX) on SoundCloud

Hey Costa, thanks for chatting with us today! You attended your first bass show in 2024, which ultimately influenced you to pivot to producing electronic music. Who did you see, and what was it about their performance that was so impactful to you?

My introduction into the bass scene was seeing Tape B headline Karma DC in Washington, DC. His vocal-centric and nostalgia-inducing approach to his music and sets really drew me in.

Hip-hop has a ton of attribution to my musical inspiration as well as casual listening habits. Tape B’s ability to blend it with distinct, aggressive sound design caught my attention, and the welcoming community the genre brings had me wanting more.

Your first love as an artist was hip-hop. How did your experience producing hip-hop help you transition to making bass music, and how do you incorporate it within your sound?

I believe hip-hop and bass music are linked in the intention of emotion. Drum grooves, melody, and flow patterns are at the forefront of both genres. I began to learn to produce in 2020 by making hip-hop beats with trap-centric drums. I used vocals and acapellas of my favorite songs to imagine how a vocalist would fit on my beats, which soon progressed into bass flips.

It’s really cool to see how the new age of bass brings a danceable and vocal-centric vibe for all audiences to enjoy. I look forward to challenging myself to push that notion forward while continuing to bend the rules of the genre.

You’ve quickly amassed a fanbase using only SoundCloud remixes and flips. What do you attribute your success on that platform thus far to?

Flips and remixes are a big part of modern bass culture; everyone seems to remix the newest Beatport and Billboard hits. I wanted to defy the norm and evoke the nostalgia and memories that have brought me so intertwined with music.

Being an artist and DJ is just as much about curating a vibe as it is production. I love throwing my imagination into a song from happy parts of my past; it makes me excited when someone shares those same feelings.

Of the tracks you’ve remixed, what has been your favorite song to put your spin on?

“Slow Down” by Selena Gomez is one of my favorites for sure. I’ve gotten a lot of comments saying “I had no idea I needed this remix.” Bringing back a record that listeners haven’t heard in ages evokes an emotion that I try to embody not only in my remixes, but my original records as well. Everyone wants to be taken back to the “good old days.” The energy listeners give when listening to my music fuels me to challenge myself in future ideas.

While you’ve found success through remixes, are there any plans to release some original tracks in the near future? What can fans expect from a COSTA original?

I’ve actually had original music finished for a while now, but I wanted to show that there isn’t just one path to success as a young artist. Instead of releasing for the sake of saying I have originals out, I wanted to focus on building the foundation: a world where I could be as excited about the art that accompanies the music as I am about the tunes themselves.

Fans can expect a wide range of sounds from me. My first three singles, which are all coming out before the end of the year, each highlight a different side of my production. I never want to be boxed into one style, and I love exceeding expectations. The common theme is high-energy, emotional music that feels fresh; each release explores a different direction and shows a different piece of who I am as an artist. I can’t wait for you all to tune in.

Your first festival performance was only last April, and since then you’ve landed multiple high-profile festival bookings. How does it feel to be hitting such major milestones so early in your career?

My first festival run was nothing short of special. Getting these opportunities keeps me motivated to put my best foot forward. Whether the crowd is one person or thousands, I’m eager to have my audience feel fulfilled and impressed. It’s truly a dream to be able to share my ideas and creativity with the world, and I’m excited to continue to learn from the community and expand my imagination.

Electric Forest was one of those milestones, playing on both the Honeycomb and Tripolee stages during your debut year. How did you approach curating your sets to fit the vibe of the stage, time slot, and crowd you were playing for?

I approached both sets pretty similarly — I aimed to create a party atmosphere. No matter the stage, my goal is to get everyone dancing and creating impactful memories. That being said, having to play two sets allowed me to experiment with a ton of my own new music, as well as
tunes from artists within the community who inspire me.

As a recent college graduate, you’re part of the same generation that is driving many trends in today’s music scene. How has that influenced how you approach social media, your project, and the way you interact with fans?

I approach my content as an artistic extension of my music. My team and I put a ton of planning into our visualizers, teasers, and music videos. Their details are intentional and aim to tell a story while building a cohesive world. At the end of the day, it’s about bending the rules and having fun.

Interacting with fans and the people in the community is just as important to me as my music is, and social media has made that easier than ever. I want to create a safe space where people feel welcome and seen, all while putting out ideas, content, and music that I’m proud to share with everyone.

Finally, what are you most excited for as you continue your journey as an artist?

I’m most excited to expand my horizons and experiences. I love to travel, meet new people, listen to new music, and learn from those around me. Every piece of content is a new idea to explore, and every crowd is a new story to tell.