Artist Profile: Dizzy!

Imagine the art direction of $UICIDEBOY$ combined with the distant soundscapes of Digital Mystikz duo Coki and Mala. At this unique intersection, Devonte Brown aka Dizzy! hones his dubstep craft.

Dizzy!’s older discography spans reggae-infused riddim in fine style, while more recent tracks reflect dubstep rooted in Jamaican dancehall fueled by ska and southern rap. Alongside his horrorcore-esque audiovisual approach, Dizzy!’s art adds flavor to any bass music fan’s rotation.

“I’m from a musically-inclined family,” the Maryland-based producer explains. “My earliest memory of enjoying art is hearing music at family gatherings as a yute.”

When Dizzy!’s father immigrated to D.C. from Kingston, Jamaica in the ‘70s, he brought their family’s sound system: Emperor Sound. Dancehall and reggae colored the background of Dizzy’s childhood home, a place where music carried deep meaning. Being raised in this space shaped his long-term aspirations.

“My family and my culture influenced me to launch a career in the music industry,” shares Dizzy!, whose favorite audio gear is the SUBPAC. “My grandmother was a dedicated vinyl collector who introduced me to Parliament Funkadelic at an early age.”

As a kid, Dizzy! was drawn to southern rap, listening to the likes of Hot Boy$, Hypnotized Mindz, and No Limit Records. This subgenre shines through in his discography to date. Dizzy!’s formula captures chilling vocal-clips paired with throttling reverbs to arrive at thrilling dubstep adventures.

Dizzy!’s intricate digital journeys reflect broader themes in his life: the joys of traveling and the power of giving back.

“In 2019, I was hired for a traveling IT project. I spent a few months exploring the east coast, with amenities comped,” says Dizzy!, a former biologist aid at the National Institute of Health. He reflects positively on gaining invaluable experience from life on the road.

As the son of a Jamaican immigrant in the U.S., Dizzy! recognizes how structural racism and other oppressive structures show up in and beyond the music industry. Given the opportunity, Dizzy! would create an inclusive space for the next generation to learn how to produce and mix music.

“I was once an underprivileged kid who wanted to make music, but I lacked the resources and equitable access needed to build those skills,” shares Dizzy! “If I was in a position to do so, I would open a music studio where underprivileged children can learn to make music.”

Dizzy! expresses lived experiences through his signature sound designs, building a bridge between listeners and his inner world.

“I’ve always made art as a form of self-expression. It makes the connections folks have to my art much deeper and more genuine,” Dizzy! explains.

Maintaining momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic can be uniquely challenging for creatives and media professionals. Despite hurdles, Dizzy! remains grateful to fans for cultivating his confidence and encouraging his growth.

As electronic music communities make sense of a turbulent time for the industry, artists like Dizzy! will be stars to watch. He’s ready to continue promoting critical thought and questioning status quos through his impactful music production. And impact is at the heart of all his work.

“I like to let everyone think what they want,” says Dizzy! “But when I need to change minds, I will do it through my art.”

This article was originally published through Background Noise.