interview

[INTERVIEW] roi* : "the weird quiet nerd in the back of the class"

In riddim's loudest year yet, roi* talks identity, accidental branding, French bass music, and why a drop only works when you laugh and go yeaaaah.

18 juin 20264 min de lecture

Photo by shotbytiffr

In 2026, riddim has never been louder. Same half-time pulse, same trench weight, same crowds waiting for the drop like it's a shared language, and roi* still describes what he does in the simplest terms possible. Dubstep Mag caught up with the French producer for a written interview as his project keeps picking up steam across Europe and Canada: DJ support from Skrillex, a growing live presence, and a sound that feels instantly recognizable in a scene that often isn't.

We started where most discoveries start.

Dubstep Mag : For someone discovering you today, who is roi* in one sentence?

roi* : I'd say I'm the weird quiet nerd in the back of the class who makes a joke that cracks up the whole class every two days.

Dubstep Mag : Before roi*, there was ROISVCKS. What changed between those two eras?

roi* : I think I learnt what I really liked, which is more minimalist and simpler stuff. That's why I'm into riddim now!

Dubstep Mag : Why the name roi*, and why the asterisk?

roi* : The "roi" name goes a long way! As for the asterisk, I accidentally typed it and found it cool... Yup...

Dubstep Mag : When did you feel that roi* had become a real project with its own identity?

roi* : When I started this project, I still had my "main" project happening, and I got as many followers as my main in only three months! I think it made me realize that I was more made for riddim than regular heavy dubstep, etc...

Dubstep Mag : How would you describe your sound to someone who doesn't know riddim or dubstep?

roi* : When people ask me what I do, I say I "make music that goes boom boom".

Dubstep Mag : What makes a track sound like roi*?

roi* : I'd say the sample usage and probably the harsh-sounding bass you hear in my music.

Dubstep Mag : Your music often feels minimal, dry, weird, precise and sometimes funny. Is that intentional?

roi* : Yes! I always try to choose samples that correlate with the frequencies so that you can hear everything clearly. I think it's also cool putting some goofiness in music — it's not that serious!

Dubstep Mag : Is humor part of your music, or more part of how you present yourself?

roi* : I would say yes to both! I think it's important reminding yourself nothing is that serious in either music or life. I'm here to have a good laugh and make everyone smile.

Dubstep Mag : How do you usually start a track: with a sound, a rhythm, a vocal, a title, or a drop idea?

roi* : I always start with the main bass at the drop. I feel like because it's the most important part of the track, I need to start from a good base!

Dubstep Mag : How do you know when a drop actually works?

roi* : When I just have a laugh at what I'm making because I'm like "yeaaaah".

Dubstep Mag : What's the difference between a track that works online and a track that destroys a club?

roi* : If people scream the predrop vocal in the comments and in real life.

Dubstep Mag : Do you produce with live reactions, doubles and DJs in mind?

roi* : The only thing I have in mind when producing is just fun. Anyone will always find a way to play or like what I make because I make music, not tools for the club.

Dubstep Mag : If someone discovers roi* today, what are five tracks they should start with?

roi* : Well, there's a feature on SoundCloud that lets you choose five tracks to put on your profile for people to see! So I would say to actually check this little feature.

Dubstep Mag : Which track changed something for you, either online, live, or through DJ support?

roi* : This is gonna be for sure "Roi The Digger"! This track was the first track that really worked out for me. It even ended up being played out by Skrillex!

Dubstep Mag : How do you see the French riddim/dubstep scene right now?

roi* : I feel like it's insanely hard for French people to make a living out of our music. Everyone is making INSANE music but no one gets the attention they deserve!

Dubstep Mag : What does the French scene have that people outside France don't really see?

roi* : Passion for music! Like I said, it's very rare here to make a living out of music, so everyone is just pushing their sounds to the max.

Dubstep Mag : What do people often misunderstand about roi*?

roi* : Maybe that I have a very different personality from your average online DJ. I'm pretty introverted and I have very limited social battery.

Dubstep Mag : What can people expect from the next phase of roi*?

roi*** : More collabs, more songs, more shows, more merch, more plates!

Follow roi*

Dans les archives Dubstep Mag

Artistes liés