Renegade Riddims: RISC

Chicago-born and LA-based, RISC is a producer, DJ, and mix engineer whose bass music CV spans Jungle, Dubstep, and House. Recording as both RISC and DJ Evol, he has spent years releasing Drum & Bass on some of the UK’s most respected labels. On the Dubstep side, his single ‘Sickness’ on SMOG Records gave him an early foothold in the West Coast scene.

The Drum & Bass and Jungle discography reads like a roll call of UK heavyweights. True Playaz, Urban Takeover, Dope Ammo, CIA Recordings, and Full Cycle Records have all released his music, which is serious backing for any producer working outside the UK. That pedigree travelled west with him. Years of residencies and radio work in Chicago shaped how he plays, and LA dancefloors have felt the results ever since.

His dubstep chapter landed at exactly the right time. ‘Sickness’ picked up heavy rotation from Plastician on Rinse FM and went on to feature in his ‘Wake Up Call’ mix, putting RISC on the radar of a whole new audience. Staying true to his Chicago roots, he also produced as RISC for Green Velvet’s Relief Records, one of the city’s most revered house labels.

Off the decks, RISC works as a mix engineer and producer for music venues and major-label artists. His credits include RZA, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Stevie Wonder, Prince, The Roots and Mobb Deep. Meanwhile, his own productions have appeared on BBC Radio, Fuel TV, and Scion AV.

Now he’s firmly back in Jungle and Drum & Bass mode. His ongoing Purple Tapes series on Toronto’s Inner City Dance has reached its twelfth instalment with ‘Freedom’, alongside the ‘First Saint’ EP for the same label, and on current form there’s plenty more to come. His recent release ‘The Reward’ EP dropped on Full Cycle Records on 16th October, grab it here!

Today, we welcome RISC to our Renegade Riddims series with a brand-new exclusive mix curated from all of his own creations!

Check out the mix below. No free download for this one as there are too many dubs!

Q&A:

What’s your personal favourite track on this mix?

There are too many to pick just one so here are a few. RISC- Saturday Jazz, Telepathy, Bullseye and Violet Sounds. These are all my top favorites right now and are currently Dubplates, but will be out in the near future.

What’s the special ingredient in this mix?

I chose my favorite jazz and funky tunes with plenty of heavy bass rollers. These flavors help keep the energy moving along through the mix.

Tell us about your next release… What have you got coming up?

Well, there are a few more releases coming on Full Cycle Records. Some more Purple Tapes releases, and I have some remix projects I have been working on too. These will all be out sometime next year.

When was the last time you actually raved?

Well I can’t remember the last time I was out at a proper rave, been a few years I reckon. But I do rock out weekly while I’m in the studio dancing to tunes as I make them. If I can’t move to it then neither would you. So gotta test it to make sure it works!

And finally, do you have a special message for our readers? 

Yeah I just want to say thank you for tuning in and listening to the vibes. The reason why I make music is for you to enjoy it. Thank you! 

TRACKLIST:

1. All My Love – DUB
2. Diamonds – DUB
3. Genesis – DUB
4. Spent It All – Full Cycle
5. Black Flys – DUB
6. Sleeper – DUB
7. Planet Funk – DUB
8. Outcast – DUB
9. Reward – Full Cycle
10. Hot Water Music – DUB
11. It’s Finished – Purple Tapes
12. Global Thing – DUB
13. The Code – Purple Tapes DUB
14. Jazz Talk – DUB
15. One Selection – Full Cycle
16. Dub Box – DUB
17. Telepathy – DUB
18. Violet Sounds – DUB
19. Easy – DUB
20. Check Mate – DUB
21. Tune In – DUB
22. Saturday Jazz – DUB
23. Plan of Attack – DUB
24. Bullseye – DUB
25. Gravel Pit – DUB
26. Double Vision – DUB
27. Showtime- DUB