5 Reasons GrandMixer GMS’s EP Dubtronik Vol. 1 Woke Us Up, Motivated Us, and Had Us Dancing
GrandMixer GMS – Dubtronik Vol. 1 – EP Review
A feel-good, high-energy, heart-filled EP built to pump us UP!
You ever press play on a project and feel your whole energy shift?
That was us at Pump It Up Magazine the moment Dubtronik Vol. 1 hit our speakers.
GrandMixer GMS didn’t just release new music — he dropped a full-on motivation booster. This EP wakes you up, lifts your mood, and gets your body moving before you even realize it.
GrandMixer GMS unleashes futuristic energy with the bold and iconic Dubtronik Vol. 1 EP cover art.
Even better? A portion of the proceeds supports public media stations impacted by the 2025 budget cuts. So this project isn’t just energetic — it’s meaningful.
Let’s break down 5 reasons this EP pumped us up.
From Unfinished Files to Pure Inspiration
What makes this EP even more special is where it came from. GMS shared with us:
“I have a lot of unreleased music, and I decided to go through my catalog and finish up neglected tracks.”
We love that. It’s like he opened a treasure chest of creativity, polished each gem, and gifted them to the world.
He added:
“The ingredients reflect my vast taste in music and trying to fuse them together in a way that I like.”
Spoiler: We like it too. A lot.
GrandMixer GMS commanding the stage at The Knitting Factory with signature precision and style.GrandMixer GMS delivering an electrifying Halloween set at Lynnwood Bowl & Skate on c89.5 FM.GrandMixer GMS – Halloween at Lynnwood Bowl & Skate on c89.5 FM.
A Beautiful Moment: “Ignition”
This track is one of the emotional anchors of the EP. When GMS told us why it’s his favorite, we felt it deeply:
“‘Ignition’ was inspired by an intro Nasty-Nes used for his groundbreaking show ‘KFOX Freshtracks.’ Since he passed away this year, it pays homage to him.”
He also shared:
“I played an unreleased version during my intro set at the c89.5-FM Halloween party… it set the stage perfectly!”
That’s not just a song — that’s legacy, memory, and love poured into a beat.
A Sound That Moves, Motivates, and Pumps Us Up
This EP is a journey — a fusion of EDM, hip-hop rhythms, dubstep accents, and turntablist electricity. It’s playful, bold, and full of surprises.
GMS describes the overall sound as:
“A fusion of EDM and Hip-Hop with many unique elements that can be enjoyed by the listener and used by DJs.”
“Let the Music Take Control”
Oh, it does. This track is pure joy — club-ready, radio-ready, and perfect for anyone needing a vibe boost.
“GMS’ DJ Weapons”
He created this not just for listeners but for DJs themselves:
“Aspiring DJs can use it to perfect their scratching skills, and world-class turntablists can add that individual spice to their set.”
GrandMixer GMS and DJ Lady Love lighting up the room with a powerful dual-DJ performance.
We LOVE a DJ who creates for the culture.
The inclusion of DJs Harmony Soleil and Mia Maya is the cherry on top — community, connection, and celebration.
A Creative Process Driven by Heart
GMS told us something that made our whole editorial team smile:
“When I’m finished, I always go back to when I was 11 and I listen with those ears.” “If what I hear captures my sense of wonder and love for music, then I am happy.”
That is exactly the spirit behind a truly timeless project.
His setup blends digital tools with classic hardware like Roland EG-101, Alesis HR-16, RANE controllers, and Mackie boards — giving the EP that handcrafted, signature GMS sound.
Why This EP Stands Out
GMS reminded us of something important:
“Some may classify this as something other than hip-hop, but early Hip-Hop included a lot of electronic elements.”
Truth. This EP is not breaking away from hip-hop — it’s reconnecting to its roots while expanding into the future.
This is innovation with intention.
Who Will Love This EP?
Fans of:
EDM
Dubstep
Open-format mixing
Turntablism
Creative hip-hop
High-energy radio mixes
…will absolutely love this.
GMS even said:
“If you listen to my mixshow ‘Global Frequency,’ or my mixes on c89’s ‘Drive @ 5,’ you’ll definitely like this!”
He’s right. We did.
🔮 What’s Next? A LOT.
YES — Dubtronik Vol. 2 is coming! But first, he shared:
“I’m working on collaborations with Cordell Drake, Mak Music, Rich Tycoon, DJ Solar, Mr. Erb… and an EP honoring Nasty-Nes.”
Dj Nasty Nes
Oh — and there’s a surprise project for MMA fans too.
GrandMixer GMS is in his creative renaissance, and we’re here for it.
Final Thoughts — A Must-Hear for Anyone Who Loves Feeling Alive
Dubtronik Vol. 1 didn’t just entertain us. It pumped us up, lifted our spirits, and reminded us of the power of sound to energize, inspire, and connect.
This EP is emotional. It’s uplifting. It’s bold. And it has that “hit play again” effect.
Trust us — you’re going to want this in your rotation.
🔗 STREAM / BUY DUBTRONIK VOL. 1
Support the project. Support public media. Support art with heart.
I have a lot of unreleased music and I decided to begin going through my catalog and finish up neglected tracks, and this was a part of that. But the ingredients reflect my vast taste in music and trying to fuse them together in a way that I like.
2. How would you describe the overall sound and style of this project?
It’s similar to my open-format style of mixing, with a fusion of EDM and Hip-Hip being the primary ingredients. Just as my mixes contain vast elements, this EP has many unique elements that can be enjoyed by the listener and used for DJs. “Let The Music Take Control” fits perfect for the club vibe or on a radio mixshow, and “GMS’ dj Weapons” can be used for aspiring DJs who want to perfect their scratching skills, or for the world-class turntablists who want a distinctive collection of sounds to add that individual spice to their set. Or if someone just wants beats that hit for their car or motivation at the gym, Dubtronik is the perfect addition to their playlist.
3. Which track is your personal favorite, and why?
“Ignition” is probably my favorite because it was inspired by an intro that Nasty-Nes used for his groundbreaking show, “KFOX Freshtracks,” and since he passed away this year, it pays homage to him. I also created “Ignition” to be used as an intro for my DJ sets as a way to prep the crowd for what’s to come. In fact, I played an unreleased version for my intro set at a c89.5-FM Halloween party that was broadcast live on the air in Seattle, and it set the stage perfectly!
4. What was your creative process like when producing these songs?
For these songs, I was thinking about how I can pay respect to those who have inspired me, and how can I capture the ear of those who may have never heard of me. So I wanted to merge various sounds together in a way to show my production skills while also creating something interesting to listen to. I still remember when I was a kid wanting to do music but having no idea how to release the ideas in my head to the world, so when I’m finished, I always go back in time to when I was 11 and I listen with those ears. If what I hear captures my sense of wonder and love for music, then I am happy.
5. What equipment or software do you rely on most for your signature sound?
Ableton, Reason, MixPad, and ProTools are the software that I used, and for hardware, I used my Roland EG-101, Alesis HR-16, Roland 505, Akai Remix-16, and my RANE 12s and RANE Performer controllers. I still use my Mackie mixing boards to run all of my sound because the signal is always clean and I’ve found Mackie products to be high quality, easy to use, and affordable.
6. What makes Dubtronik Vol. 1 different from your previous work?
My music has always been me having an experiment of fun, and this is still like that, but, this was a more extreme experiment, going a bit deeper in the creative process, expanding on more electronic elements. However, while some may classify this as something other than Hip-Hop, that’s not actually true because early Hip-Hop included a lot of electronic elements.
7. Fans of which artists and genres do you think will connect most with this project?
Fans who like open format mixing, dubstep, creative Hip-Hop, turntablism and EDM would enjoy this. If you listen to my mixshow, “Global Frequency,” or my mixes on c89’s “The Drive @ 5” in Seattle, you’ll definitely like this! I even included a live radio segment from DJs Harmony Soleil and Mia Maya because they are not only incredible DJs, but they are some of the nicest people you will ever meet!
Also, proceeds from this project go to help fund Public Media because in July 2025, the U.S. Congress passed a rescissions package that eliminated $1.1 billion in previously allocated funding for Public Broadcasting, and those cuts pose a significant threat to many local stations, particularly those in rural and underserved areas.
8. What can fans expect next — is Dubtronik Vol. 2 on the way?
I will definitely produce Dubtronik Vol. 2 but first, I’m working on collaborations with Cordell Drake, Mak Music, Rich Tycoon, DJ Solar, Mr. Erb, and a few other people, as well as an EP honoring Nasty-Nes. I also have a surprise record coming out that our MMA fans are sure to enjoy!!!
