Nikita the Wicked: The Villain Redefining Bass

September 13, 2025

Written and Photographed by Alex Dehlavi (@red_bot_)

The world of experimental bass music is constantly shifting, with new sounds and influences emerging from every corner. In this interview, we spoke with Nikita the Wicked, a rising bass star who thrives on unpredictability and whose production style breathes experimentation and energy. Defined by bold sampling choices and a blend of underground bass, hip hop, and global music traditions, drawing inspiration from legendary figures like MF DOOM and Salvador Dalí. Nikita approaches music with a sense of curiosity and a refusal to follow trends. Throughout this interview, we explore his creative process, the role of visual and cinematic influences, and how he’s carved out a distinct identity in a crowded field.

You use a lot of experimental techniques with an underground, bass style. How do you approach experimentation when you're producing yourself?

I think experimentation to me comes from the way I sample. I come from hip hop, sampling soul, and jazz records. So with this new project I've been working on, in terms of experimentation, I've been really digging in the crates for maybe like a 1950s Bollywood sample or some Hungarian jazz from the nineteen seventies. So I really like to just find some really unique sample and make it into more like dance music, bass music. So that's been something I'm into.

That's really dope. I saw that you're a fan of MF Doom. He was literally the legend when it came to sampling.

The villain. Yeah. The villain.

It's cool that his stuff resonates through your own stuff too. Your persona can be described in terms of beautiful, wonky, and darkness. How did you come up with this aesthetic? Like what brought you towards it?

So speaking of MF Doom, you know, he's one of my biggest inspirations, and he kind of started that villain character in rap and music in general. And just a lot of things I respect about him, how he never signed for a major label and would send DOOM bots that would perform instead of him. I thought it was really cool. So I just really like that aesthetic he brought to the villain, and all these other darker, I guess, details that came with that.

And when I listen to your music, I hear that like underground, like, bassy funk that's still to it, you know, like all your music has that swing to it.

Thank you, bro.

Could you walk me through how you might build a concept EP from start to finish? Like what comes first? Your theme, a sound, maybe some visuals that you saw. Some lyrics?

For this next project, well before that, I had always been like drop first and then write around it. With this project, I kind of rearranged it, and it was like, let me start with this weird 1970s jazz sample from Japan and then make a drop out of it. So kind of testing myself in my production limits and starting with the samples, seeing like, hey, can I make this into a bass record? So that's kind of been my process lately.

That's really dope. I love that. What did you do to evolve into a touring DJ? Was there anything specific, or is it just keep producing?

It was the production and certainly the social media content, and just making my name get out there more. You know, with the power of social media, it's really a lottery system, and the more you put yourself out there, the more fans and a bigger audience that will wanna come see you live. So I think just putting yourself out there in terms of short-form content really helped me in terms of touring, especially across the US.

What are some of the lesser-known or non-musical influences, like maybe an artist, or a visual art, or a movie that you like, or a TV show?

Sure. Yeah. In terms of art, I would say I got Salvador Dali's Melting Clocks. It's my favorite surrealist painter of all time. Just the whole surrealism era of art was very interesting in the nineteen thirties.

I just thought how like the way impressionism evolved, was like, alright, let's kinda take it to the next level, and that's where surrealism came in. I thought that was really cool. In terms of film, I'm a huge film guy, listing directors like Tarantino, the Safdie brothers, Aronofsky, and Damien Chazelle. I really love, just like auteurs, when it comes to film. Think that's really cool.

People with a vision.

Yeah. A film or a certain style, you know exactly who the artist is, and I think that's really cool.

Yeah. Same here. You started off making house beats and trap beats before bass. What elements from that era do you still feel live in your production today?

I always say to like newer producers is like when you make different styles of music, different genres, it will make your style of music that much more unique because you can take a piece from house and a piece from future bass, and a piece from trap, kind of make your own style of it. So I just think all the different styles I've made have kind of made my true sound more evolved to what it is today. So yeah, I think that's been really helpful.

You're in a growing space of experimental bass artists. How do you feel that you've stayed consistent in keeping your sound from blending into other layers?

Like I said, just the use of my sampling, think, is something that's brought something different to the table. And especially with the new sound of like 140 and UK garage, it's like when it comes here to the US, I think it's important or interesting because it's like they come here and it's like, alright, what's my take on this genre now? When these new styles and trends come, it's not only that you're copying it, it's that you take it and you kinda make it your own. And that's what I think makes a good artist from a great artist, you know?

When you're building a set, what's the first thing you lock in? Is it energy? Maybe a couple of songs just hit you? Is it maybe a story that you're trying to tell through your set?

Yeah. I think energy is certainly important, and it's good to change the set from festival to sets or from different shows. Like always, keeping that energy where, like, we're gonna start hard, we're gonna dance a little bit in the middle, and then end hard. That's kinda how I like to outline my sets. But making sure I play my hit records, try out some new records, and then play some stuff for my friends is always something I look for.

I could definitely hear it while I was watching your set. Outside of music, are there any other creative outlets or influences that you like to take part in outside of producing?

Sure. Yeah. I always said that when I accomplish everything I want in dance music, I wanna move to film, whether that be film music or also screenwriting. I've been reading this book about screenwriting.

It's an art form I'm really interested in. I know it's gonna take me like ten years to really learn and like get good at it, but that's something I'm really interested in. So I really wanna go into film. Once I'm in my late thirties, forties, when my knees won't be able to support my DJing career, so film is another option.

You can't jump for an hour straight anymore!

Yeah. Exactly! So film is something I’m definitely interested in.

Is there anything that you wanna share with our audience and your audience about maybe an upcoming ID or EP or maybe even the new tour announcement?

Yes. I am about to start releasing, well, depending on when this is published, my new EP called Blinded by Vanity. My new single's coming out in two weeks. That'll be a concept project. I have a new character I'm building.

A lot of that experimental sampling - and then the headline tour next year from January to March. We're gonna do 16 cities, and that's what's up next for me, bro.

Awesome. Perfect. We can’t wait to see all the new content! Thank you so much for your time.

For sure, bro. Yeah. I really, really appreciate it.

With a production style that thrives on innovation and authenticity, Nikita the Wicked is carving a path straight toward bass stardom. Fresh from standout sets at Goldrush and Lost Lands, his momentum is undeniable. By fusing diverse influences and pushing boundaries with each release, Nikita is shaping a sound that’s as personal as it is forward-thinking. With the upcoming EP Blinded by Vanity, the introduction of a new character concept, and a 16-city headline tour, 2025 is poised to be a defining year for this rising Villain.

Thank you to Nikita the Wicked, his management, and Relentless Beats for making this interview possible

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