[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] Dubstep FBI’s Co-Founders Share Their Top 10 Tips For Building A Powerhouse Brand In Bass Music

The bass music scene is no stranger to disruption, but few have done it with the precision and impact of Dubstep FBI. What started as a passion project in 2020 has evolved into a full-fledged media brand with over 110,000 followers, a highly successful 65+ episode podcast featuring heavyweights like CRANKDAT, Ray Volpe, Boogie T, and Jessica Audiffred, and a mix series, Riot Control Radio, boasting more than 100 guest mixes and hundreds of thousands of streams.

But Christina Vessa and Yesenia Vizcaya, the minds behind Dubstep FBI, refused to stop at content. They have forged partnerships with Insomniac, Live Nation, and AEG Rocky Mountain, hosted massive stage takeovers —including their 2024 international debut at Rampage Open Air in Belgium — and now, they are launching their own record label, Beat Intelligence Network (BIN).

With a deep understanding of content creation, branding, and industry networking, Christina and Yesi have built a platform that’s about more than just music — it is about building artists’ careers and pushing bass culture forward. In this exclusive feature, they break down their journey, sharing the biggest lessons they have learned along the way — how to stand out, build real relationships, land partnerships, and create a thriving brand in the dance music industry.

Whether you are an artist, content creator, or just passionate about bass music, their insights are invaluable. Read on to learn what it takes to build a brand that shakes the scene.

1. BE AUTHENTICALLY YOURSELF

There is something to be said for having a unique flair, all your own. When we first started Dubstep FBI, it was easy to get caught up in what other brands were doing around their merch, social media, and releases. We quickly realized that the fans can instantly tell when something is not authentic. What helped us grow was finding our own voice and tone.

We say funny things (“Yeah, we’re gonna need more handcuffs”) and use slang consistently across our website (i.e. using “merch” instead of “merchandise”). This can be done in less formal ways too, like not using standard punctuation or capitalization. Embrace your unique quirks, sense of humor and nerdy interests. These are things that no one can take away from you, and things that create an authentic experience for everyone who interacts with you.

2. REPLY TO EVERYONE

Some of the most successful artists are the ones who are the easiest to get a hold of. One of our biggest secrets is replying to as many people as we can: whether that be via DM, comments, emails, or inquiries on our website. Every conversation or reply you have with someone could potentially lead to several new fans down the line.

Don’t forget about grassroots interactions like hosting meet-ups at concerts, taking pictures with new friends, and showing your face at EDM events around town. Simply attending shows goes a long way. There was a point from 2021 to 2024 where we were going out two or three times a week just to say hi to locals and grab videos from shows – that was when we saw so much growth.

3. ASK YOURSELF, “WILL THIS MATTER IN 5 YEARS?”

Self-doubt is one of the biggest obstacles we have tried to overcome. Especially in the music industry, where every post is bigger and better than the last, it can seem like a lot of pressure. Find yourself a supportive friend or business partner who you trust and can be vulnerable to.

If you don’t have someone like that, we have found that ChatGPT works really well when in need of support or a friend, albeit virtual. Remember that just because YOU are doubting yourself, that does not mean others are too.

Oftentimes we are critical because we care. If you do not fail, you do not learn. Try to think of every tough situation as a way to grow and get better – remember that if you erased all of your mistakes, you simply would erase yourself.

4. HOW TO LAND PARTNERSHIPS

Before you even get the big email or the big opportunity, you should be showing your face at concerts around town, hyping up artists you want to work with on social media, and visibly supporting brands you would like to partner with. Chances are, if they recognize you from a show or your name in their comments, they will be more likely to respond to an email.

One thing we pride ourselves in is our professionalism. While this industry can lean on the casual side, first impressions matter and how you communicate matters. Prioritize quick responses (under 24 hour turnaround on emails), and maintain a level of professionalism as far as delivering on what you say you will and not over-promising. Bring more in value than you get paid, and work hard to create a positive experience for everyone you do business with.

5. SOCIAL MEDIA SECRET: POST RELATABLE CONTENT

In such a flashy industry, it is easy to think you need the latest camera gear or the most professional content to make it big. We have completely debunked this myth via the Dubstep FBI social media channels. Odds are that you have everything you need to make viral content right in your pocket.

In our experience, vertical videos taken on cell phones do 100x better than professional media. We credit this to the media coming off as more authentic when it is a bit blurry or imperfect. Also, posting content with little editing directly from your phone tells your audience that this post was too important to keep to yourself, and needed to be uploaded at the moment. This is the “breaking news” method that we have utilized by uploading reel and TL posts from the crowd at a show.

6. CELEBRATE SMALL WINS

It is easy to get caught up in chasing the next big thing but do not forget to appreciate the smaller victories along the way. Whether it is gaining your first 100 followers or playing a show to 10 people when you were expecting 100, that’s momentum.

Small wins create positive reinforcement and remind you that every step forward is progress. Plus, sharing these moments with your audience keeps them invested in your journey. They want to cheer for you and feel like they are part of the climb.

7. KNOW WHEN TO UNPLUG

In an industry that never sleeps, it is tempting to feel like you have to be “on” all the time. But burnout is real, and if you do not take time to recharge, it will show in your work (we have learned that the hard way). On top of working our 9 to 5 day jobs, we were attending about three shows a week for the longest time, and we were barely taking any time to ourselves.

Eventually, we realized that taking a day off or even a weekend to recharge was not just helpful but absolutely necessary. We made a rule that we would not work on Sundays, and we would leave our phones on Do Not Disturb.

8. USE FAILURE AS FUEL

Yes, failure sucks. We get it. You want everything to be perfect but if success came easy, then everyone would be doing it. Not every release, post, or event is going to be a hit, and THAT’S OKAY! Some of our biggest flops taught us the most about what not to do.

The key is to take those lessons and turn them into actionable steps for improvement. A stumble today could be the setup for a massive win tomorrow. One of our favorite quotes from a mentor of ours is, “I don’t count failure, I count lessons.”

9. COLLAB, DON’T COMPETE

This industry is way too small to waste energy tearing others down. Instead of seeing other creators, brands, or artists as competition, think of them as potential collaborators. If you admire someone’s work, don’t just silently watch from the sidelines; hype them up publicly, comment on their posts, share their wins, and maybe even slide into their DMs with an idea for a project. Collaboration creates synergy, which can lead to some of the most innovative ideas and biggest breakthroughs.

We have teamed up with other pages, labels, and promoters to cross-promote, share memes, and run giveaways, and it has always paid off. It builds relationships and lets your audience see you as part of something bigger than yourself. Plus, your fans love seeing you join forces with others they already follow.

10. GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE

In any creative space, there are so many people who work behind the scenes and do not always get the spotlight: photographers, videographers, graphic designers, VJs, production… the list goes on. Make it a habit to shout these people out every chance you get. Did someone shoot your show photos? Tag them. Did a designer kill it on your latest merch drop? Hype them up on Instagram. Did production kill it with the lasers and VJs? Let everyone know who it was.

When you publicly give credit to the people who help you succeed, you not only strengthen those relationships, but you also show your audience that you care about more than just taking the credit for yourself. And trust us, people will remember how you made them feel. A quick tag, a shoutout, or even just thanking someone in your stories can build goodwill that lasts for years.