Last month, Denver’s renowned venue The Black Box hosted a landmark night as UK sound architects ENiGMA Dubz and Mystic State took the stage for standout solo performances and an unforgettable back-to-back set, where they played their hypnotic new collaboration “Backchat.”
Each of these pathbreaking producers has spearheaded modern dubstep and sound system culture internationally, exerting an immeasurable influence on new artists across the globe. As the headquarters of Colorado’s music community, known for platforming the underground and hosting legends, The Black Box is a favorite among many creatives and artists worldwide, especially ENiGMA Dubz.
The Sonic Journeys of These Dual Innovators
Hailing from Birmingham, UK, ENiGMA Dubz is a versatile producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist known for his wide range and boundary-pushing approach to bass music. With roots in dubstep, garage, and grime, he has spent over a decade crafting a sound that seamlessly weaves together deep sub-bass, atmospheric textures, and soulful melodies.
He first emerged in the early 2010s, gaining recognition for his emotive productions and immersive live sets. Throughout his career, ENiGMA Dubz earned a dedicated following within the global bass music community and founded his own successful label, Morii Records. His willingness to experiment across genres and continually evolve his sound has made him a luminary figure in the vibrant electronic music scene.
He has garnered support from leading industry runners, including UKF, KissFM, and Radio1Xtra, and has played alongside dons such as DJQ, Caspa, and London Elektricity. Touring across Europe, North America, and Australasia, ENiGMA Dubz has also played some of the biggest bass music festivals in the world, including Lost Lands and Rampage.
Mystic State is a dynamic electronic music duo from Bristol, UK, celebrated for their immersive and forward-thinking approach to bass music. Since their emergence in the mid-2010s, they have built a reputation for blending elements of dubstep, drum & bass, and experimental sounds, creating deeply atmospheric tracks that resonate with both underground and mainstream audiences.
Mystic State’s productions often feature intricate rhythms, textured soundscapes, and a signature blend of darkness and melody, reflecting the rich musical heritage of their hometown. Their commitment to innovation and genre exploration has also established Mystic State as prominent tastemakers within the global electronic music community.
Genre-Bending Synergy Takes Center Stage
Mixing a flavorful blend of dubstep, drum and bass, jungle, and countless other styles, this trio’s first pair-up delivered the crowd with a vivid tapestry of genres. The Black Box was ignited with their innovative, dynamic sounds, bringing a magnetic energy to the dancefloor.
In the wake of his electrifying performance, we caught up with ENiGMA Dubz to dive deeper into his creative process with Mystic State and his perspective on the evolving bass music scene. Continue reading for an exclusive interview with insights on his latest releases, live experiences, and what’s next for this pioneer of sound system culture.
Liz Seitzinger, Electric Hawk: “Backchat” is a hypnotic, rhythmic, deep dubstep heater that fuses eerie soundscapes and tension with sub-flexing bass and grooving percussion. The vocal cuts add that dancefloor energy. What was the creative process like collaborating on this track?
ENiGMA Dubz: With this release, me and the Mystic State lads shared a bunch of ideas initially, across different BPMs. We worked on a couple of them loosely but then the Backchat project was the one we really got into. The initial concept came from Mystic State, and I knew straight away it was the one for us to finish and release. We bounced it back and forth a few times, taking it in turns to add synths, adjust levels, and tweak stuff, etc., but ultimately it was done and dusted over a week. Plus, we were in different continents at the time, so we were wrestling time zones too!
Liz: How was performing with Mystic State live? Does another back-to-back feel like something you’d want to do again on future tours?
ENiGMA Dubz: Honestly, my favourite b2b sets to date. I really enjoyed playing alongside Mystic State, and our selections really complemented each other. I like that kind of challenge and buzz when you’re feeding off each other’s styles and selections, and we weren’t finding ourselves clashing in which direction to take the set at all. All of it was unplanned, and each b2b set was different. I would jump on another set with them for sure.
Liz: The UK has always exported bass music culture worldwide, such as dubstep, drum & bass, and grime. As artists who are touring the States, what do you think American audiences understand about this music that’s different from a UK crowd?
ENiGMA Dubz: There’s definitely a different vibe in the states overall, but there’s also a clear similarity in the bass music scene and the audience in both the UK and the States, we’re all here for the shared love of bass and low frequencies on big systems. It brings people together, legitimately, and it shows at the venues wherever I’m playing.
I’d say there’s a thirst for harder-hitting Dubstep in the States in some scenes and cities, but for me, that’s never an issue as I like to move to some hard energy in my sets, whilst keeping the overall experience a journey through my various styles and sounds.
One thing I loved on this tour was the blackout set in Columbus. I feel that with Dubstep and underground bass music in general, when the stage production is at a minimum and the sound system is well tuned and really giving a full body experience, you really can’t beat it. It’s all about the music. You also find that people are more likely to get into the zone and lose their shit when they don’t feel like everyone can see them. I love that, and I’d like to see more of this in the States, 100%.
Liz: What’s coming next — releases, tours, collabs — anything you can tease?
ENiGMA Dubz: Absolutely loads coming up, to be honest! We just dropped two DnB bangers with Dread MC and Slay on my label Morii Records – which included videos we shot here in Birmingham, UK. They’ve been going off in my sets and been sick to get them out.
Next, I’m out Stateside in May for a weekend, playing in Rochester, NY, May 15th, and then Infrasound Music Festival, May 16th. I’m also planning a tour in early September Stateside, which will be paired with a new release. Got a sick show locked in for Paris in September too, plus in the works to organise a label night in London for our first Morii Records collaboration event. The label has been growing really well, we’ve got a bunch of releases locked in to take us through 2026.
I’m also putting the finishing touches to my next big project. This is the third edition of my mixtape series. First, we had #Heaters, then it was #Vibes. Don’t want to give the game away fully but next up it’s focused on MCs over various genres of bass music. I’ve got a serious passion for UK Grime and MC culture. I’m always looking at who’s popping off in the scene and coming through with new talent. This mixtape is getting stacked and to be working with some of my favourite vocalists in the scene is a huge honour for me. Can’t wait to drop this project!
Also, I’ve got some collabs with TRUTH that are getting great reactions at shows across the globe, so this year might be the time for those, keep it locked… big up!
As the night at The Black Box demonstrated, ENiGMA Dubz and Mystic State are not only masters of their craft but also passionate innovators within the ever-evolving landscape of bass music. ENiGMA’s thoughtful insights and genre-spanning artistry reflect a deep commitment to pushing boundaries and connecting with audiences on a profound level.
Whether through their collaborative performances or individual projects, both acts continue to shape the sound system culture from the UK to the global stage. With new releases on the horizon and a relentless drive for creativity, ENiGMA Dubz is poised to leave an even greater mark on the music world, and it was a pleasure to catch up with him.
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