Ahadadream has been sitting on “Bass Dhol” since early 2023. The Pakistan-born, London-based producer started the track in Miami with Skrillex, played him some Raf-Sappera, and the three knew immediately what they had. Three years later, the single is out now via Astralwerks, and it’s been worth the wait.
“The beginnings of ‘Bass Dhol’ were back in early 2023, when Sonny invited me to work on music together in Miami,” Ahadadream explains. “That’s when I played him some Raf Saperra too, he loved the vibe and we thought he’d be perfect for this track. Early versions of the track have been getting played since back then, so I’m super happy to finally see this officially going out into the world in its final form.”
The track fuses Punjabi dhol rhythms with driving electronic beats, Ahadadream’s signature skittish drum patterns running underneath Raf-Sappera’s Punjabi vocal presence. It’s a dancefloor record that doesn’t soften its cultural reference points. The dhol is the foundation, not a garnish.
“Bass Dhol” follows “TAKA,” Ahadadream’s previous collaboration with Skrillex and Priya Ragu, which announced him to a global audience in unmistakable fashion. “TAKA” went viral at his debut Boiler Room when Skrillex appeared on screen to debut it live. BBC Radio 1 named it Hottest Record, Essential New Tune, and Track ID, a rare triple crown the station hadn’t awarded since Calvin Harris’ “How Deep Is Your Love” in 2015. Support from Peggy Gou, Fred again.., Four Tet, Dixon, and Chris Lake followed, and the track has since accumulated millions of streams worldwide.
Ahadadream draws from the UK, Pakistan, and the wider African and South Asian diasporas, and his production reflects every one of those influences without ranking them. With scene support from Skrillex, Fred again.., Four Tet, Eliza Rose, and Pete Tong already established, “Bass Dhol” pushes his profile further into the conversation at exactly the right moment.