Who is MUST DIE!? MUST DIE! Songs, Music, Discography & Artists Like MUST DIE!

MUST DIE! is an American electronic musician, DJ, and producer from Houston, Texas, best known for his aggressive, genre-blurring approach to dubstep and bass music. His real name is Lee Austin Bates, and he has been releasing music since 2012, building a reputation for productions that are technically precise yet chaotically energetic. 4D4M connects with since first hearing his Skrillex collab, and Adam keeps coming back to MUST DIE! whenever he needs something that hits hard and sounds unlike anyone else in the game.

Who Is MUST DIE!?

MUST DIE! is the project of Lee Austin Bates, an American producer and DJ who grew up in Houston, Texas. He started releasing music around 2012 and quickly developed a following in the bass music underground thanks to his ability to blend dubstep, hardstyle, glitch, and experimental electronics into something that sounded genuinely new.

One of the first things that put MUST DIE! on the map for a wider audience was his collaboration with Skrillex on the track “VIPs,” released through OWSLA. That connection to one of the biggest names in electronic music gave him credibility with a mainstream bass audience while he kept pushing boundaries with his solo releases. He has since worked with Skream, Eptic, Zomboy, and Boyinaband, showing he can operate across multiple corners of the bass music world.

What separates MUST DIE! from a lot of producers in his scene is his sound design. He does not rely on presets or trends. Every track sounds like it was built from scratch with a specific purpose in mind. His drops hit with precision, his transitions are surgical, and there is always something unexpected lurking in the mix. Whether it is a glitched-out vocal chop, a pitch-bent bassline, or a sudden tempo shift, MUST DIE! keeps you on your toes.

He released his debut album “Borg” in 2016, a record that showed he could sustain an artistic vision across a full-length project. His follow-up work, including the “GAGGED AND BOUND” EP released in 2022, showed continued growth and willingness to experiment. He has performed at major festivals and toured internationally, earning a spot in heavy rotation at bass music events worldwide.

MUST DIE! also produces remixes for other artists, including Svdden Death, Seven Lions, Excision, and Slander. His remix work is just as distinctive as his originals. He does not water down a track when he remixes it. He reconstructs it entirely from his own perspective, and the results are usually better than expected.

MUST DIE!’s Sound Explained

The best way to describe MUST DIE!’s sound is controlled chaos. His productions are rooted in dubstep but pull from hardstyle, glitch hop, industrial, and even some trap and rave influences. The result is music that is hard to place in a single genre but impossible to mistake for anyone else.

His bass design is next-level. The low end on a MUST DIE! track does not just thump. It moves and morphs in real time. He uses heavy modulation and distortion to create basslines that feel alive, constantly shifting texture and character. The highs and mids are equally detailed, with synth stabs, noise hits, and pitched percussion filling every corner of the stereo field.

Structurally, MUST DIE! plays with expectation. He builds tension through long, dense intros that lead to drops that do not always go where you think they will. Some of his tracks feature multiple drops with completely different energy levels. Others build to a peak and then strip everything back to a single element, then rebuild from scratch. It keeps listeners engaged and rewards repeat listening.

His collaborations with other producers tend to bring out the most intense versions of both artists. When he works with someone like Zomboy or Eptic, the result feels like a competition to see who can push harder without breaking the track. Those collabs are some of the most exciting music in bass music over the past several years.

If you are into hardstyle and dubstep, MUST DIE! is an artist who will expand what you think those genres are capable of.

Top Tracks by MUST DIE!

CHAOS

“CHAOS” is exactly what the title promises. The track opens with a menacing synth line before exploding into a drop built on layers of distorted bass and glitched-out percussion. It is one of MUST DIE!’s most intense solo productions and a staple in heavy bass music sets.

BLISS 2K

“BLISS 2K” shows a more euphoric side of MUST DIE!’s production. The melody is warmer and the arrangement more spacious than some of his harder tracks, but the bass design is still unmistakably his. It is a great entry point for listeners who are new to his sound.

Back 2 The Rave (with Kayzo)

This collab with Kayzo leans hard into rave culture. The track channels the energy of a 3am warehouse set with driving kick drums, aggressive synth leads, and a massive drop that has been destroying festival stages since its release. A certified banger.

Gem Shards

“Gem Shards” is one of MUST DIE!’s longest and most layered productions. At five minutes, it has room to develop ideas fully, and the track takes advantage of that space. Each section introduces new sonic elements that build toward a drop that rewards the wait.

The Light

“The Light” has a darker, more introspective tone than most of his catalog. The production is still dense and heavy, but there is an emotional undercurrent running through the whole track. It shows range that not every bass music producer can demonstrate.

Castles – MUST DIE! Remix (with SVDDEN DEATH)

When MUST DIE! takes on a SVDDEN DEATH track, the results are predictably massive. This remix strips away the original’s atmosphere and replaces it with a relentless low-end assault. It has become one of his most-streamed tracks and shows why his remixes are just as exciting as his original work.

DELETE IT ALL (with Ducky)

The collab with vocalist Ducky gives “DELETE IT ALL” a more structured, song-forward feel compared to his purely instrumental work. The lyrics match the aggressive energy of the production, and Ducky’s delivery cuts through the mix without ever feeling forced.

Risk It All (with Jiqui and JiLLi)

“Risk It All” is a more experimental entry in his catalog, featuring two vocalists and a production approach that blends bass music with elements of hip-hop and pop. It is a bold move that mostly works and demonstrates his willingness to push outside comfort zones.

Kick Back

“Kick Back” is a pure floor-filler. The track is built for maximum impact on a sound system. The kick drums are thunderous, the bass is relentless, and the arrangement is straightforward in the best possible way. No frills, no surprises. Just pure energy.

Last One Standing (with Zomboy)

The Zomboy collab is one of the most memorable in MUST DIE!’s catalog. Both producers bring their heaviest sounds, and the result is a track that feels like a battle between two of the hardest producers in bass music. The drops are brutal and the build-ups are tense. Essential listening.

Hunnit

“Hunnit” is a stripped-down, confident production that showcases MUST DIE!’s ability to do a lot with less. The arrangement is relatively minimal but the impact is massive. It is the kind of track that sounds even better on a proper sound system than it does on headphones.

Trolley Bags (with Eptic)

The Eptic collab brings two of the most detailed sound designers in bass music together on one track. “Trolley Bags” is dense and relentless, packed with small details that reward careful listening. It has become one of the most talked-about collaborations in the OWSLA orbit.

Ultra Brat

“Ultra Brat” is one of MUST DIE!’s more aggressive solo productions. The track is built on a foundation of industrial-influenced percussion and a bassline that hits from multiple angles at once. It is chaotic in a very controlled, intentional way.

Poltergeist

“Poltergeist” has a haunted, cinematic quality that makes it stand out in his catalog. The production feels like a score for a horror film if that film was set in a bass music club at 2am. Unusual and excellent.

VIPs (with Skrillex)

The track that introduced MUST DIE! to a massive audience. The Skrillex collab on OWSLA is a perfect example of what happens when two producers who share a commitment to sound design come together. The result is sharper, weirder, and more interesting than either producer’s average output.

Why 4D4M Vibes With MUST DIE!

There are a lot of bass music producers making heavy tracks right now. The genre has grown to the point where it can feel oversaturated, with every new release promising harder drops and bigger sounds. MUST DIE! cuts through all of that because he has a genuine identity. You can hear a MUST DIE! track and know immediately who made it. That is rare, and it matters.

What draws 4D4M to MUST DIE! specifically is the technical precision underneath all the chaos. His productions sound aggressive and unpredictable on the surface, but when you study them closely you realize how carefully constructed they are. Every element is placed exactly where it needs to be. The restraint is just as impressive as the excess. He knows when to hold back and when to unleash, and that balance is what makes his best tracks so effective.

The Skrillex connection is obviously a point of interest for anyone who grew up on OWSLA-era bass music. But MUST DIE! has long since moved beyond being “the guy who did a collab with Skrillex.” His solo discography is deep and consistent, and his collaborations with Zomboy, Eptic, and SVDDEN DEATH show he can match energy with any producer in his lane.

His live sets are also worth mentioning. MUST DIE! plays with the same intensity he brings to his productions. He does not phone in a set. He pushes the sound system and the crowd in equal measure. 4D4M appreciates that commitment because it is increasingly rare in a world where a lot of DJs are just playing the same set on autopilot.

If you are building a playlist around hard-hitting dubstep and bass music sound design, MUST DIE! is a non-negotiable addition. His catalog rewards repeat listening, and his newer work shows an artist who is still growing and still pushing. That is exactly the kind of artist 4D4M gravitates toward.

Check out more on staying current with EDM trends and why producers like MUST DIE! are leading the next wave of bass music innovation.

MUST DIE! Discography

Album/EP	Year	Notes
Borg	2016	Debut album, full artistic statement
GAGGED AND BOUND	2022	EP, released November 4, 2022
VIPs (with Skrillex)	2014	OWSLA release, breakthrough collab
Trolley Bags (with Eptic)	2015	Bass music crossover collab
Last One Standing (with Zomboy)	2016	Heavy collab single
Ultra Brat	2017	Solo single, industrial influence
DELETE IT ALL (with Ducky)	2020	Vocal collab single
CHAOS	2021	Solo single
BLISS 2K	2022	Solo single
Back 2 The Rave (with Kayzo)	2023	Rave-influenced collab

Live and Touring

MUST DIE! has been a consistent presence on the bass music festival circuit since the mid-2010s. He has performed at major events across North America and internationally, bringing the same intensity to every set that he puts into his studio productions. His live presence is one of the reasons he has maintained a loyal following even as the bass music scene has evolved around him.

He plays with a focus and energy that is immediately apparent to anyone in the crowd. His sets are not passive experiences. He reads the room and adjusts, pushing harder when the energy is there and building tension when it is not. That responsiveness makes each performance feel different even when he is playing the same tracks night after night.

His festival appearances have included sets at major bass music events, and he has done extensive touring with other producers in his network. Those tour packages tend to attract the most dedicated fans in the bass music scene, people who show up for the entire bill rather than just a single act. MUST DIE! fits perfectly in that context because he is the kind of artist who makes even a supporting slot feel like an event.

For anyone interested in seeing what MUST DIE! can do on a proper festival stage, his live sets circulate widely online and are worth tracking down. They give a clear picture of how his studio work translates to a large-scale live environment.

FAQ

Who is MUST DIE!?

MUST DIE! is the project name of Lee Austin Bates, an American electronic music producer and DJ from Houston, Texas. He is known for his aggressive approach to dubstep and bass music, blending genres like hardstyle, glitch, and industrial into a sound that is immediately recognizable. He rose to wider prominence through his collaboration with Skrillex on OWSLA and has since built one of the most distinctive catalogs in bass music.

What genre is MUST DIE!?

MUST DIE! primarily makes dubstep and electronic music, but his productions pull from a wide range of influences including hardstyle, glitch hop, industrial, and rave music. He does not stay strictly within genre lines, which is part of what makes his sound so interesting. If you enjoy heavy bass music but get bored when things stay too predictable, MUST DIE! is exactly the kind of producer you should be listening to.

What is MUST DIE!’s most famous song?

“VIPs” with Skrillex is probably his most widely recognized track, released through the OWSLA label and introducing his sound to a large audience. Among bass music fans, tracks like “CHAOS,” “Last One Standing” with Zomboy, and the Svdden Death remix are also frequently cited as standout moments in his catalog. His popularity within the bass music scene is broader than any single track, and his full discography rewards exploration.

Where is MUST DIE! from?

MUST DIE! is from Houston, Texas, in the United States. Houston has a rich history in music across multiple genres, and while MUST DIE!’s sound is not directly tied to any regional style, growing up in that musical environment likely influenced his broad approach to genre and his willingness to draw from multiple traditions in his productions.

Has MUST DIE! collaborated with other artists?

Yes, MUST DIE! has an extensive list of collaborations. His work with Skrillex on OWSLA is the most high-profile, but he has also collaborated with Zomboy, Eptic, Boyinaband, Skream, Kayzo, Ducky, Svdden Death, and others. His remixes for Seven Lions, Excision, and Slander are also widely regarded as some of his best work. Collaborations bring out a competitive energy in his productions that makes them consistently exciting.

Is MUST DIE! still making music?

Yes. MUST DIE! has continued releasing music through the early 2020s, with the “GAGGED AND BOUND” EP released in 2022 demonstrating that his creative drive is still fully intact. He continues to tour and perform at events and has shown no signs of slowing down. His recent tracks maintain the same level of quality and intensity that built his reputation in the first place, which is not always guaranteed for producers who have been in the game for over a decade.

Why does 4D4M like MUST DIE!?

4D4M is drawn to MUST DIE! because his productions combine technical precision with genuine unpredictability. There is always something happening in a MUST DIE! track that you did not expect, but it never feels random or sloppy. He has a clear artistic vision and the technical ability to execute it at a very high level. In a bass music landscape full of producers chasing trends, MUST DIE! sounds like he is following his own path, and that kind of independence is something 4D4M consistently gravitates toward.

Listen to MUST DIE!

MUST DIE! Online

Platform	Link
Spotify	MUST DIE! on Spotify
SoundCloud	MUST DIE! on SoundCloud
Instagram	@mustdiemusic on Instagram
Twitter/X	@mustdiemusic on X
Facebook	MUST DIE! on Facebook
Official Website	mustdiemusic.com
YouTube	MUST DIE! on YouTube