Statik Link

Joshua Andres and Dan Dwyer, better known by their stage name Statik Link, are American DJs, music producers and songwriters. Statik Link writes songs in the EDM sub-genre of Bass Music (Moombahton, Trap, Dubstep, and Twerk).

Early career

Josh Andres, originally a hip-hop producer under the moniker Avalanche, made the change to Electronic Dance Music (EDM) in 2011. During his career in hip-hop, he produced for notable artists such as Emilio Rojas, D-Black, Big J Tha White Wonder, and worked closely with Grammy nominated engineer Ariel Borujow. During his career in hip-hop, Josh meant EDM DJ/Producer MING (DIM MAK/Mau5trap/Hood Famous) through a mutual producer while working on a project at New York City recording studio Stadium Red. Josh developed a business partnership with MING, which involved shopping MusicAL works to commercial television companies. It was during a meeting in 2011 that MING introduced Josh to EDM Bass Music. In an interview with Urban Hit Promotions Magazine Josh is quoted “I thought Electronic Music was only Techno and House, which I respected, but was never a big fan of.” [2] Josh goes on to say that MING’s introduction to Dubstep was the moment that Josh made the switch from hip-hop production to EDM resulting in the creation of Statik Link.

Career in EDM: The Beginning of Dubstep

Beginning in 2012, Josh began work on Statik Link’s first project “Statik Link The EP.” The album, primarily a Dubstep production, was an experimental album fusing Josh’s hip-hop background with the new found Statik Link electronic bass music sound. The album posted sales numbers that resulted in an iTunes top 200 [3]. Josh continued on the success of the EP releasing two successful underground Dubstep remixes of Stafford Brothers hit single “Hello” Ft Lil Wayne and Christina Milian and Zedd single “Spectrum.” Each of these singles were successful, charting on DJ pools throughout the world. While beginning to build his successful Dubstep career, he wouldn’t developed the known Statik Link sound until a trip to Chicago that would result in the movement from Dubstep to Trap/Moombahton that would define his career.

Career in EDM: Trap Music

In 2012 during a tour stop in Chicago promoting “Statik Link The EP,” Josh was introduced to Trap Music. Trap Music, primarily known for its hip-hop roots, consists of Electro sounding instruments, vocal samples and hip-hop drums. Fascinated with the sound of Trap Music, Josh began work on Statik Link’s new project concentrating primarily on the growing EDM trend of Trap Music. Using the hip-hop sound that he was well respected for during his hip-hop days, Josh would string together a hit of Trap Music remixes leading up to his debut release. While working on Statik Link’s debut Trap EP, Josh released tracks that experienced major success. His first trap remix of Zomboy’s “Here To Stay” was critically acclaimed. The remix resulted in a top Trap Remix title being award to Statik Link for May 2013 by DJCity.com, the most popular DJ Pool in the USA [4]. The remix of "Here To Stay" was followed up with the success of Statik Link's remix of Kaskade's single "Atmosphere" which went viral over the internet resulting in a top hit among Kaskade Trap Remixes across the Internet. Josh continued to work on Statik Link’s debut Trap EP while touring the US. While working on his debut EP, Josh stayed in contact with MING. Upon completion of the EP, Josh submitted the work to Hood Famous Music, MING’s label imprint. During this time, MING had been experiencing major success with his debut release on DIM MAK, King Kong The EP. MING had also begun production in Trap Music. His work resulted in two Top 10 Beatport charting singles (“Rock”, by Paul Mendez at #2 and “Colossal” by Fortune Cookie at #5 on the Beatport Hip Hop charts). Impressed by one of the productions on the album Josh had submitted, MING partnered with Statik Link to produce the anthem “Block Party” ft Moxiie. The critically acclaimed single experienced much success resulting in a Top 100 post on iTunes and a top 10 post on Beatport.

The Formation of Statik Link Music

Excited with the success of “Block Party” Josh formed his own label Imprint “Statik Link Music” in the summer of 2013. The 1st release, “Ounce Of Dat” was released as a Beatport exclusive on Sept 3rd 2013 [7]. The album was an experimental fusion of Hip-Hop and EDM. The album featured 3 original works with the return of Big J Tha White Wonder, one of the artists Josh had worked with in his earlier hip-hop career. This recording, titled Faded, posted a top 10 hit on DJCity.com as well as a Top 25 hit on Beatport. The title original work “Ounce Of Dat” also experience critically acclaimed success resulting in a Top 10 on Beatport’s Hip-Hop charts. The 3rd and final track on the EP, titled "Bam Bam!", experienced main stream radio success receiving airplay on many radio stations across the US including historic Hip-Hop radio station "Power 106" located in LA [6].

Current career

Statik Link continues to grow the label “Statik Link Music” and work on their 3rd EP titled "100 HRTZ". In 2014, Statik Link signed a promotional and public relations deal with 6 to 1 Media. Scheduled releases for Statik Link Music and Statik Link for late 2013/early 2014 include a release by newly signed house artist Coma Coz on Statik Link Music and the release of “Just Stay Rockin’ (Johnny Labs)-Statik Link Trap Remix” on Intraxx Records. Recently, Statik Link began working on remixes for Sony Records with Sony remix artist Johnny Labs. The releases are slated for a summer 2014 release.

Statik Link has also been very active in the remix world producing their 1st major label remix for Sony Music [8]. The remix is featured on Australian artist Bonnie Anderson (singer)'s most recent EP "Blackout." They continue to work closely with Sony Music.

Partnership with Dirty Duck Audio

In August of 2014, Statik Link signed with Bass Music label "Dirty Duck Audio." Dirty Duck Audio, known for their work with with UK Trap artist Gold Top, released Statik Link's 3 track EP on September 8th 2014 via Beatport exclusive. The EP contains 3 new original works titled "Clap When She Walkin," "Get Down (Dat Azz)," and "Xposed Ft Big J Tha White Wonder." The EP featured Big J Tha White Wonder who also frequents Statik Link's original productions. The EP was critically acclaimed and received support from EDM.com (9). The EP debuted at number 22 on the Beatport hip-hop charts (10).

Solo albums and EPs

• Statik Link The EP (Statik Link Music) (December 2012)
• Ounce of Dat The EP (Statik Link Music) (Sept 2013)
• 100HRTZ (Dirty Duck Audio) (Sept 2014)

EPs and singles

• Block Party (with MING and Moxiie) (2013)
• Just Stay Rockin (with Johnny Labs) (Late 2013)
• Dro (Original Mix) (2014)

Remixes

• Spectrum (Statik Link Dubstep Remix) (with Zedd) (2012)
• Hello (Statik Link Dubstep Remix) (with Stafford Brothers, Lil Wayne, and Christina Milian) (2013)
• Here To Stay (Statik Link Trap Remix) (with Zomboy) (2013)
• Atmosphere (Statik Link Trap Remix) (with Kaskade) (2013)
• Mastodon (Statik Link Trap Remix) (with Milk N Cookies) (2014)
• Bang Bang (Statik Link Trap Remix) (with Nancy Sinatra) (2014)
• (I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight (Statik Link Trap Remix) (with [...] Crew) (2014)
• Blackout (Statik Link Trap Remix) (with Bonnie Anderson (singer)) (2014)

References

1. "Beatport DJs." Beatport. 22 Nov 2013. Beatport LLC. <http://dj.beatport.com/statiklink>.
2. Skilling, David. "Urban Hit Promotions." Interview With Statik Link. 22 Nov 2013.Urban Hit Promotions. <http://urbanhitpromotions.com/interview-with-statik-link/>.
3.Torres, Carla. "MusikBeats." Statik Link. 29 Apr 2013. MusikBeats LLC.<http://www.musikbeats.com/statik-link>.
4. DjCity DJs. "DjCity.com." Music Trends. 30 Jan 2013. DJCity, INC. <http://www.djcity.com/trends>.
5. Albano, Aaron. "Hood Famous Music." MING, Statik Link, Moxiie – Block Party (Original Mix) . 30 Sep 2013. Mings Music Enterprises, LLC. .
<http://hoodfamousmusic.com/2013/09/ming-statik-link-moxiie-block-party-original-mix/>.
6. Dj Gigahurtz. "Soundcloud.com." Gigahurtz - Power 106 Jump Off Mix September 2013. 27 Oct 2013. <https://soundcloud.com/djgigahurtz/gigahurtz-power-106-jump-off>.
7. Eat Sleep EDM. "EatSleepEDM.com." Statik Link-Ounce Of Dat. 30 Aug 2013. Eat Sleep EDM. <http://eatsleepedm.com/statik-link-ounce-dat/>.
8. Sony Music Australia Soundcloud. "Sony Music Austalia." Blackout Remixes. 27 Jun 2014. Sony Music. <https://soundcloud.com/sony-music-australia/blackout-johnny-labs-statik-link-trap-club-mix-teaser>. 9. EDM.com. "Statik Link." "EDM.com." 8 Sept 2014. <www.trapmusic.net>, <www.moombahton.net> 10. Beatport. "100 HRTZ." Beatport.com. 8 Sept 2014. <http://www.beatport.com/release/100-hrtz/1366355>.