Inside ‘rebelworld’: VRG on Rebellion, Bass Music, and Breaking Boundaries

2 weeks ago 4

**VRG swung by to discuss the creative process behind his genre-defying sound, the vision that shaped rebelworld, and what it’s like embracing the role of a self-described popular loner.**

VRG has mastered the art of building anticipation. He first introduced the “rebel” ethos with the release of rebelagenda and has kept the momentum alive ever since. Through carefully timed teasers, high-profile collaborations, and direct engagement with fans, he steadily unveiled singles. The result is a project that doubles down on his signature fusion of industrial textures, hard techno, and aggressive dubstep, with fans already praising its devastating tearout drops.

His latest seven-track EP, rebelworld, out on Create Music Group, is a bold statement rooted in the countercultural energy of the underground rave scene. The record thrives on contrast, shifting effortlessly between relentless, high-tempo four-on-the-floor hard techno and rhythmically intricate half-time dubstep. It also marks VRG’s most personal work to date, with his own vocals appearing across four of the project’s seven tracks.

What truly elevates rebelworld is its thematic cohesion. Driving basslines, crushing distortion, and deliberately chaotic sound design create a dark, uncompromising sonic landscape that reflects the project’s rebellious identity. Yet beneath its intensity lies a deeper purpose. Rather than relying on aggression for its own sake, the production captures the sense of freedom, community, and refuge that electronic music has long provided for those on society’s margins.

rebelworld fully realizes the rebel ethos VRG has been building toward, cementing his reputation as one of bass music’s most innovative producers while showcasing influences that span multiple underground electronic subcultures. After its release, we caught up with the artist to dive deep into its tracks, how he breaks boundaries, and more. Read on for the full conversation.

**Stream VRG – rebelworld on Spotify**:

I saw a reel you posted on Instagram reflecting on the music you were releasing seven years ago versus what you are releasing now. How do you compare your sound from then until now?

The biggest difference is the production. I’ve taken a huge step forward and finally found a sonic identity that feels unique and truly represents VRG.

You released the rebelagenda EP on Gud Vibrations back in April; How does rebelworld compare to it?

rebelagenda was the introduction to the “rebel” concept. rebelworld is the full vision; it ties everything together and shows exactly what the project is meant to be

Can you share more about what you’re hoping to accomplish with rebelworld when you talk about the vision and rollout?

I’m hoping to achieve a few things with this EP; one of them is taking the first step toward becoming the artist I’ve always wanted to be. To elaborate further on that, if it wasn’t for discovering EDM and music production, I would’ve 100% tried to dive into another position in music such as being a vocalist or drummer for a band, or even just being a solo artist doing rap/R&B. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and have been dabbling in and perfecting over the past year; this EP is just the first time I’m fully embracing those influences.

Another thing I’m hoping to achieve with this EP is just to give other artists who have felt/feel the same way as myself some inspiration to build their own identity instead of chasing a trend and neglecting the rest. Lastly, I’m hoping to finally create a world my music can live in. It’s something I’ve struggled with over the past few years, but this is the most dialed and solid it’s ever been.

Digging into its tracks, “hypnotize (gtfu)” features a dubstep elements with some hard techno thrown in. Will we see you segue into other genres, or will you stick to blending genres with dubstep?

As of right now, I definitely enjoy blending different genres with dubstep. It gives people the best of both worlds, and it might even introduce a listener to a new genre.

“stilldelusional” features your own vocals. Judging by the amount of streams on SoundCloud, the track is well received, with comments ranging from “diabolical” to “insane” to “this is fucking nuts.” Do you plan on releasing more tracks featuring your own vocals?

Most definitely, four of the five tracks on RebelWorld (stilldelusional… included) include me on vocals in some capacity, especially in the intro, interlude, and outro. Outside of that, I have more in the vault where I do more of that but combine it with dubstep.

What’s the significance behind naming tunes “seethrough” and “stilldelusional…”? Do you think people can see through you or that you’re still delusional in the music you create?

The story for “stilldelusional” is pretty simple. When I was first writing the drop idea, I was talking to my homie Slick (shoutout my dawg forreal), and I showed it to him and mentioned how the fake-out reminded me of an older song of mine called “delusional…” He responded and said, “you should just name it “stilldelusional…” and I was immediately like, yep, that’s the one.

However, “seethrough” is a bit more personal. It came from going through heartbreak and realizing that sometimes people aren’t who they say they are. The vocal before the drop says “so many unsaid lies,” and as simple as it is, I resonated with it and the title just came naturally. I expanded on it in the outro with my own vocals: “I could see it, you’re see through.” I spoke recently about how some of the songs on this EP resonate with me even more now than when I first made them, and “seethrough” is one of them.

When you talk about the theme behind rebelworld, you mention “it’s for everyone who’s been told they are too different, or who’ve been told they won’t make it because they don’t go with the crowd.” Is this something you’ve personally experienced? Did you, or do you, feel like you don’t fit in?

Honestly, most of my life. When I was younger and in grade school, you could say I was somewhat of a “popular loner.” I got along with people, but I was never really a part of the crowd. I’ve always just done my own thing, and that’s still how I carry myself today.

I see you’re planning a Rebelworld tour, with dates in Montreal, New York, and two in Washington, so far. Are you excited to bring your concept to a wider audience? How did you decide on Canada and those particular states as your first stops?

I’m super excited; this is my first-ever headline tour, so it’s surreal to even be talking about it. Montreal is arguably the bass capital of the world; I get so much love every time I’m there, so it was a given I had to not only just come back, but set the tone and kick the tour off there. Washington is very close to home for me, being born and raised in Oregon; playing anywhere in the PNW will always be special to me.

On a larger scale, there’s a lot of online discourse about dubstep as a whole, with people complaining that the genre is going downhill and that its sound is kind of stagnant compared to other genres. What do you think when people say heavy dubstep is dying?

Heavy dubstep never left; it’s just evolved a bit while the current pop/top 40 dubstep remix sound is being pushed. Just like with any other genre of music, you just have to dig a little to find it. However, I wouldn’t say that all heavy dubstep is stagnant; there’s a specific sound within it that definitely is, but unfortunately that’s because the artists making it are kind of stuck on what was working years ago instead of evolving and experimenting.

Some artists to check aside from myself if you’re not familiar with them already: Secrecy, SKXLVTOR, Allinator, Nimda, Prosecute, RZRKT, Benda, Vastive, Tabarnak, Perry Wayne, and KVMAI. I’m definitely missing some names, but they’re all cracked and pushing the envelope.

Finally, now that rebelworld is out in the wild, what’s next on the release front?

After the EP, I have some remixes planned, as well as collabs with RZRKT, Layz, Vastive, Benda, and Ray Volpe to look forward to. Also, a merch drop very, very soon.