Riot Ten: Rage, Reels, and Requiems – Inside the Mind of Dubstep’s Chillest Chaos Conductor
When it comes to dubstep, few names hit as hard as Riot Ten, and with his new album “Requiem for a Riot”, he’s proving that even chaos can have heart. The El Paso-born bass bringer has been a staple in the scene for years, lobbing rail-breaking drops like it’s a second nature, including at this year’s EDC Las Vegas. But what happens when the man behind the madness sits down and gets real about inspiration, insecurity, and…Hans Zimmer?
All my railbreakers, grab your neck brace and wait for the drop – this one’s heartfelt, heavy, and kind of wholesome.
From OG Dubstep to Wubs and Wonks
Riot Ten has seen the dubstep scene transform more times than your favorite DJ changes USBs mid-set. “It [started with] a lot of energetic and ‘hard’ energy,” he says, “but now it’s heading towards more of that wubby, wonky style – artists like Levity and Tape B are leading that direction.”
Don’t you fret, though, the rage isn’t dead – it’s just evolving. Riot Ten admires that while the sounds change, it is you, the fans, and the energy you bring that stays consistent in the dubstep scene.
The “Meant To Be” Moments
Ask him if he ever knew this life was the one, and you’ll get a surprisingly tender answer: “It happens a lot. When the room is going wild and the energy is good, I just think – ‘this is the exact moment I’m meant to be in.’” It’s not always lights, lasers, and pyro shows – sometimes it’s just a quiet epiphany in the middle of sonic mayhem. “It’s one of the best feelings you can have as an artist.”
Studio Sessions: Calm Guy, Angry Music
Riot Ten makes some of the most face-melting bass music out there, but in the studio, he’s not exactly raging. “Usually I’m just chillin,” he says, “but I’ll be making the most aggressive music.” It’s a paradox he embraces: calm demeanor, chaotic output. He credits his love of hip-hop, especially artists like Meek Mill, for fueling that intensity. “People say I’m obsessed with angry music,” he laughs, “but I’m not mad when I make it. I’m just drawn to that energy.” Turns out, some of the hardest-hitting tracks come from the most laid-back sessions.
Drop First, Talk Later: A Modern-Day Production Survival Guide
If you’ve noticed Riot Ten’s tracks get straight to the point, it’s not a fluke. “I usually start with the drop first, then build into that, and save the intro for last,” he explains. That backwards method is very much by design. With the pressure of TikTok trends and short-form content, the stakes are higher than ever to hook a listener instantly. “It’s exhausting sometimes, always thinking about making a viral sound,” he says. “You want to make something that is satisfying to your artistic ability.” Still, he adapts. His goal? Keep it short, get into the meat of the song, and grab people before they hit skip. But hey, if that means that his songs allow us to indulge in more of bass-face inducing drops – that’s fine with me!
Rap Roots and a Love for Collab
Riot Ten’s DNA is laced with hip-hop. “I started as a hip-hop producer,” he says, “and rap will always inspire me. That’s why most of my songs have rappers.” It’s less about time, more about feel. “If it sounds good to me, it goes out.” Shout-out to DJ Paul from Three 6 Mafia – one of the many unexpected but glorious fits.
A Figurine, a Family, and Finding Ground
Tour life can be chaos – flights, festivals, green rooms, and crowds – but for Riot Ten, the one constant is a tiny Batman figurine. “My oldest son gave it to me when he was maybe eight years old,” he shares. “He told me to have it so I’d always have a piece of him with me.” Since then, it’s quietly traveled from city to city, tucked away in his backpack – three backpack swaps later, it’s still there.
“I don’t think he even knows I still carry it,” he admits, “but that little thing grounds me. It reminds me of why I’m doing all this.” For an artist navigating the highs and lows of a relentless industry, it’s more than a keepsake – it’s a lifeline. “As artists, we go through moments where we doubt everything, want to quit…but that figure brings me back.”
The bass may be heavy, but his heart? Even heavier.
Why EDC Las Vegas is His Favorite Festival (and He Means It)
When Riot Ten says EDC Las Vegas is his favorite festival, he’s not just checking off a PR box – he means it with his whole chest. “This is my favorite festival in the entire world – my favorite I’ve ever played,” he says without hesitation. And it’s not just the massive crowd or the production on steroids – it’s the people behind the scenes. “I’m really big on connections,” he says. “We check in on each other like, ‘How was your set? I’m proud of you.” For an artist who’s been in the game this long, that kind of camaraderie is priceless. EDC might be built on lights and lasers, but it runs on mutual respect and shared moments. “This festival is run so well, the entire experience is my favorite part.”
Dream B2B? Buckle Up.
No, it’s not Skrillex. Or Excision. Try…Hans Zimmer.
Yes, that Hans Zimmer.
“I know it would be weird, but that would be the dream,” he says, citing Inception as his all-time favorite movie. “He’s probably one of my biggest inspirations.” And suddenly, we’re picturing Riot Ten dropping sub-bass under a live orchestral swell. Let’s manifest.
Inside “Requiem for a Riot”: The Rage Gets Real
Riot Ten’s highly anticipated album “Requiem for a Riot” is more than just a collection of bangers – it’s a reflection of his creative soul. “It’s fifteen songs, with tons of collabs,” he says. “I love sending ideas to artists and seeing how they completely flip them – it’s wild how they’ll turn it into something I never would’ve thought of.”
But it’s the intro, interlude, and outro where things get personal. Like his previous albums, the outro features a piano piece, played by Riot Ten himself. “I don’t know how to read music or anything technical, but I just sit down and play,” he says. “Those are always my favorite songs. They mean more to me than anything else I’ve made.”
Inspired by his love for cinematic composers like Hans Zimmer, these moments are raw, emotional, and unexpected from an artist known for blowing out subwoofers. It’s not just bass – it’s feeling.
Words to the Railbreakers
“Thank you,” he says. “Really. I’ve been doing this for so many years, and the fact that I’m still here – still able to do what I love – is because of you. Your support means more than you know.”
Riot Ten is proof that the heaviest artists often have the softest souls. From viral drops to quiet family keepsakes, he’s blending chaos and care in equal measure. And if the new album “Requiem for a Riot” is any indication, the best is yet to come.
Rest your necks now, because come June 6th…all of our necks are breaking.