Zeds Dead

BIO:

Emerging from Toronto’s underground, Zeds Dead—comprised of Dylan Mamid (DC) and Zachary Rapp-Rovan (Hooks)—has spent over 15 years as one of electronic music’s most adventurous and enduring duos. Known for their genre-defying sound, cinematic sampling, and immersive live shows, they’ve built a legacy that bridges eras, scenes, and formats.

Their roots trace back to early collaborations under the name Mass Productions, born from a shared love of hip-hop, graffiti, and crate-digging. After discovering a growing global appetite for bass music online, they adopted the name Zeds Dead in 2009 and began self-releasing tracks like “Journey of a Lifetime” on MySpace. That same year, they co-founded Bassmentality, a weekly party in the basement of a Toronto bar that helped kickstart the city’s dubstep and bass scene.

Early recognition came with remixes like their take on Blue Foundation’s “Eyes on Fire”, which gained viral traction and became a calling card for their sample-based style. A remix contest win for Barletta and early BBC Radio 1 support from Kissy Sell Out helped propel their rise internationally. By 2010–2011, the duo had broken out globally with relentless touring, festival appearances, and a run of formative releases that earned them a cult following across North America and Europe. Their 2014 track “Lost You” became one of their most widely supported singles, earning national radio play and eventually reaching platinum certification.

In 2016, Zeds Dead released their first full-length album, Northern Lights, featuring guests like Pusha T, Diplo, and Rivers Cuomo. That same year, they launched their own label Deadbeats, which has since become a global force in bass music and a platform for genre-pushing artists like REZZ, Subtronics, IMANU, Nostalgix, and more.

In 2025, the duo released their long-awaited sophomore album, Return To The Spectrum of Intergalactic Happiness. A bold, 14-track journey through sound and memory, the album is a celebration of creativity and sample culture. Drawing from their love of old records, films, and hip-hop textures, RSIH marked a defining artistic statement for the duo. 

Zeds Dead stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation. Their live strategy is modeled after jam band circuits, prioritizes multi-night, anchor-city residencies and immersive experiences in places like Denver, Chicago, and Toronto, with fans traveling across state lines for curated shows that feel more like cultural rituals than traditional tour stops. Zeds Dead continues to evolve without losing the spirit that launched them: fearless experimentation, DIY energy, and a dedication to creating something that lives beyond the moment.