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An Instagram post that I saw on March 4th made a bold announcement that caught me by surprise. Two heroes of the EDM industry were teaming up on Monstercat for an unexpected collaboration to rock the masses: DJ DIESEL and rising star LEVEL UP.
For those who are unaware, DIESEL is the musical alias of famed basketball star Shaquille O’Neal. He is very passionate about EDM and has repeatedly compared the feeling that he gets from DJ’ing to his years as an athlete. He has a genuine appreciation for the genre and community, working with countless artists as well as promoting the work of smaller producers. No gimmicks here. DIESEL is the real deal. It is refreshing to see such a genuine appreciation for EDM in such a noteworthy individual. LEVEL UP is originally from Los Angeles, but got her musical career started on the other side of the country upon moving to the borough of Brooklyn, NY. She is married to dubstep superstar Subtronics and has been steadily building her brand.
This collaboration is titled “NXT LVL” in direct reference to one of the project’s collaborators. The promotional post shows photos and video of the two artists hugging and collaborating on stage in real time, as well as a DIESEL lifting LEVEL UP into the air. A depiction of the single’s video game inspired album cover is also included in this post. The massive size difference between DIESEL and LEVEL UP makes this post exceptionally memorable. This is a GENIUS way to promote an upcoming collaboration and I applaud them for their efforts. Well done.
“NXT LVL” begins with stringed instruments and a steady drum line, while a rising ectoplasmic effect and a record scratch adds to the overall mood of the track. There is also a bit of a sports championship vibe present here as well, likely attributable to DIESEL’s former career as an NBA star. A voice yells “GET UP!!” which leads us into a beefy baseline that emerges as a voice chants
“Level up. It’s time to level up. We’re going to tear this bitch down, put some liquor in your cup.”
This bassline is perfectly blended with the vocals for a seamless transition.The tempo of the song quickly increases as we are blessed with our first drop. “GET UP!!!” returns the vocal sample, in addition to a call to “get to the next level.” This drop is blaring, chunky, well-layered, and takes on numerous twists and turns. We are reunited with the heavenly stringed instruments and “level up” chant upon conclusion of the first drop. The producers behind the decks perfectly mix these different vibes into one balanced song. Lyrically, this is a party song for the ages and is sure to get the crowd amped up at live performances of this song. Especially if both collaborators are present on stage. This song is perfect for car rides, parties, working out, and other EPIC events. The hype train does not stop on this one. I highly recommend this song to anyone interested in seeing what these two artists can accomplish as a unit.
Connect with DIESEL: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
Connect with Level Up: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
