WRCKTNGL is no stranger to the music scene, with an impressive discography of 25+ singles and EP’s since the project began in 2013. Focusing first on phonk and bass music, before trying his hand at wave, he has found a balance that’s effortlessly navigated these influences, resulting in a sound that is something new entirely.
With a decade in the game, and no signs of slowing down anytime soon, we wanted to sit down with the man behind the project to delve into his journey to this point, as well as the future of both WRCKTNGL and the evolving phonk scene, something everyone seems to be talking about lately.
The Interview
TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND IN WAVE MUSIC, AS WELL AS YOUR INTRODUCTION TO PHONK.
I started listening to phonk back around 2012-201. I was a huge fan of the underground scene and was always trying to find the next cool thing. I got introduced to the sound listening to rap as a kid, but around that time that sound wasn’t being represented, and I wanted to find the musicians that were making it. Tommy Kruise, DJ Smokey, Lil Ugly Mane, BAKER, Akoza, RVIDXKR KLVN were some artists I listened to early on.
Through that, I fell into the underground SoundCloud scene. Also around the same time I was really into finding different sounding trap beats, just stuff that wasn’t the usual Young Chop, Lex Luger type thing. I found Yung Gud‘s ‘U Want Me” track and that changed my whole perception on what a trap beat could be. That’s what sparked this idea like “Ok, this is new and it sounds amazing, I want to learn how to make it and add my touches to it,” so that’s what I did. I was really focused on phonk production around 2014-2015, 2016 is when I switched gears to wave music because I liked how melodic and emotional, but also gangster it can be, and that’s what drove me into wanting to pursue the sound. I also really love how phonk and wave music can go hand and hand.
WHO ARE YOUR MAIN INFLUENCES AND WHERE DO YOU GET INSPIRATION FROM?
Some of my main influences are Hudson Mohawke, GRXGVR, Yung Gud, Dubstep from 2008-2012, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, Disclosure, Elvis Presley… There’s just too many. But I love to grab inspiration from what I’m listening to mainly. That changes on the daily, or even a few times a day. Right now I’m very obsessed with the Corridos Tumbados genre. The melodies and structure just fit the vibes right now for me. I also love the singing aspect even though I can’t speak Spanish. Going for walks and taking showers also help me with inspiration, it gives me time to sit there and process my thoughts and emotions.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE FUTURE FOR THE PHONK SCENE, AND HOW DO YOU SEE IT CROSSING OVER INTO THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA?
I think the phonk scene is already crossing into mainstream media, there’s this new song I’ve been hearing on TikTok that has this phonk feel, but has some dude singing all cool on it. Boom, the sound is already leaking into the cracks for the majors! That’s a good thing, shit like that can change people’s lives.
As for the future of it, I think it’s going to get stronger and of course evolve a bit. It will get simpler and harder. The fact that people can come together and vibe out to some hood ass beats… I feel the next trend in phonk will be tracks that are made from around 180 to 190 bpm, I’ve been hearing some stuff in that range that’s feelin’ phonky!
TAKE US THROUGH YOUR PRODUCTION PROCESS ON A GIVEN TRACK… WHERE DO YOU START? ANY FAVORITE VST’S OR PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES YOU’VE BEEN USING LATELY?
I like to think of my production process like I’m Jackson Pollock, I just take this mess of sounds and arrange them to make them fit to how I want them. One day I can start off with drums, another I can start with a melody. I have noticed I’ve had more success with finishing music when I use a sample, but I also have finished tracks without even having a sample in mind, besides drum one hits. It varies daily.
I do have a couple of favorite synths. I love fm8, Serum and Diva, I used to get a lot of my basses from Massive early on, but I’ve been slowly transitioning to mainly serum for basses. I got a Microkorg hardware synth a few years back and I’ve always loved getting witch house sounds from that thing, it’s way too cool!
ANY PLANS FOR RELEASES THIS YEAR?
I recently upgraded to a new computer for my birthday, so my grind and focus right now is to finish a lot of the tracks I started two years ago and release them all throughout the summer. M!NGO and I have been sitting on a phonk collaboration tape for awhile now, we’re in talks about releasing it soon. A lot of stuff is in the works!
SHOUT OUTS OR A MESSAGE TO THE FANS?
I wanna give a shout out to my Mom. Love you and thank you for always putting me on to cool shit, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I also wanna give a shout out to all my brothers, I couldn’t do this shit without y’all either. My message to my fans, find yourself and love yourself, and love your loved ones and be true to yourself. Don’t get lost in the fog.
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