Basti Grub is a German artist with an esteemed reputation after releasing on the some of the industries biggest labels like Innervisions, Diynamic, Cocoon, Hot Creations, Crosstown Rebels and many more. With a new release ‘Whoomp’ out on his Aprapta Music label, we sat down with him to find out how he gets inspired, and how his sound has evolved over the years…

WWD: Hey Basti, what’s good and bad in your world right now?

Hey When We Dip Team, thanks for the interview. I only have good news. So far the highlight of the first half of 2023 was my debut on Diynamic Music.

WWD: You are prolific, you release a lot of music, do you make music every day?

I spend as much time in the studio as possible, yes. When I am on the road I keep my laptop at hand to gather ideas that I will produce and finalize. Over the years I have produced so many tracks that don’t have to pressure myself.

WWD: Where does your inspiration come from?

It just gushes out of me. There is so much great content out there that inspires me.

WWD: Are you making the tunes you want to hear and play in your own sets, is there a link like that?

Not every track is intended to be part of my set. I also produce Pop music that sets a different mood than what I go for in my sets. However, the music I release under Basti Grub usually represents the tune I want to play and listen to when I play a gig.

WWD: How has your sound evolved over the years?

I always had a vision of what I wanted to produce but when I first started I simply didn’t have the know-how. Over the years I learned how to execute what I had in mind.

WWD: And how has the scene changed do you think with the rise of social media and digital tech?

I think social media offers a platform for everyone to share their art and music with the world. The internet has democratized many disciplines and opened the world to people who otherwise may not have a chance to be heard.

WWD: Tell us about your new tune Whoomp – why tackle this classic?

The hip-hop track that I sampled in ‘Whoomp’ came out when I was only ten, and it was a track that I really liked, as it had an upbeat, feel-good vibe. That hip hop track always stuck with me, and I never forgot about how it made me feel. So, I decided I wanted to make my own version, which I could play in my DJ sets.

WWD: How did you do it, did you have a pan before you started what you wanted to do with it and how you wanted it to sound?

Starting point of my interpretation of Whoomp! was that I wanted to make sure that the new version would be true to the original and not lose its authenticity. Combined with my signature sound I think I created something that represents the spirit and positive vibes of the original and gives it a new polish.

WWD: What is next for you, what else you working on?

I look forward to my first release on Pias that is only days away. This release marks an important milestone as I have worked towards it for many years.

WWD: What was the last record you heard that made you go ‘wow’ and why?

That’s a good one. There are of course multiple tracks with so much great music out. If I had to name one, I‘d say – Sam Smith and Madonna – „Vulgar“. I love the sound aesthetic of the track.

Basti’s “Whoomp” is out now on his label Aprapta Music. Grab it here

Basti Grub: Facebook / Instagram / SoundCloud