Must Die!

Bate's stage name is inspired by the title of the film John Tucker Must Die{{Cite web|date=2014-09-30|title=MUST DIE! Lifts The Curtain On Death & Magic [Album Review]|url=https://www.youredm.com/2014/09/30/must-die/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Your EDM|language=en-US}}, stating that "I thought that naming myself after something terrible would be a good laugh".

Bates began releasing music under his current alias in 2012. That year, he released a remix of "The Drop" by Bro Safari.{{Citation|title=Bro Safari - The Drop (MUST DIE! Remix) [FREE DOWNLOAD]|url=https://soundcloud.com/mustdiemusic/bro-safari-the-drop-must-die|language=en|access-date=2021-04-20}} In 2013, he released a remix of Candyland's "Get Wild".{{Citation|title=Candyland - Get Wild (MUST DIE! Remix) [FREE DOWNLOAD!]|url=https://soundcloud.com/mustdiemusic/candyland-get-wild-must-die|language=en|access-date=2021-04-20}} Bates also produced several tracks on Dim Mak Records,{{Cite web|title=Must Die!|url=https://mixmag.net/read/premiere-must-die-premieres|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Mixmag}} including the extended play "Water Temple". He made his first release on the label Never Say Day Records with the extended play "Fever Dream",{{Citation|title=Fever Dream - EP by MUST DIE!|date=25 September 2013|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/fever-dream-ep/1373359752|language=en-gb|access-date=2021-04-20}} proceeding to release tracks less frequently. Bates first collaborated with English dubstep producer Zomboy on the track "Survivors", as part of Zomboy's LP "The Outbreak".

In September 2014, Bates released his first album, Death & Magic, on Skrillex's label Owsla.{{Cite web|title=Death & Magic from OWSLA on Beatport|url=https://www.beatport.com/release/death-and-magic/1392167|access-date=2021-04-20|website=www.beatport.com}} The opening track, "Gem Shards", is described by Mixmag as containing "giant builds, mammoth drops and piercing noises so sharp that they'll draw blood". Bates described the album as "equal parts moody and bright", saying he "wanted to weave between two vast extremes of musicality in order to show a full spectrum of diversity".{{Cite web|last=Polonsky|first=Sarah|date=2014-09-17|title=Premiere: Must Die!'s New Track Off Forthcoming 'Death & Magic' LP|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/premiere-must-die-new-track-death-magic-236981/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=VIBE.com|language=en-US}} A remix compilation for "Death & Magic" was released in 2015, including remixes from Ape Drums and Snails. Bates collaborated with English musician Boyinaband as part of a challenge to create an album within a day,{{Citation|title=Album in a day challenge! {{!}} Boyinaband + Must Die| date=25 December 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqH-fdrp4Eo|language=en|access-date=2021-04-20}} resulting in the album "Common Drop". Bates also collaborated with Skrillex on the track "VIPs",{{Cite web|last=Monroe|first=Jazz|title=Listen to Skrillex's New Track With MUST DIE!, "VIP's"|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/62863-listen-to-skrillexs-new-track-with-must-die-vips/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Pitchfork|date=28 January 2016|language=en-us}}{{Cite web|date=2016-01-27|title=Skrillex previews new collaboration with MUST DIE! titled "VIPs"|url=https://weraveyou.com/2016/01/skrillex-previews-new-collaboration-with-must-die-titled-vips/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=We Rave You|language=en-US}} and proceeded to produce a remix of the track in 2018.{{Cite web|last=Erik|date=2017-10-27|title=MUST DIE! Strikes Remix Gold With His Heavy 'VIP' Remix Of His Collaboration With Skrillex|url=https://www.edmsauce.com/2017/10/26/must-die-strikes-remix-gold-heavy-vip-remix-collaboration-skrillex/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=EDM Sauce|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2017-10-27|title=Skrillex & Must Die!'s "VIPs" Gets A Massive VIP Remix Fit For A VIP [Must Listen]|url=https://www.youredm.com/2017/10/26/must-die-gives-massive-vips-track-skrillex-powerful-upgrade-must-listen/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Your EDM|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2017-10-26|title=Skrillex & Must Die!'s Collab "VIP's" Receives Hard-Hitting Dubstep Remix From Must Die!|url=https://thissongissick.com/post/skrillex-must-die-vips-remix/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=This Song Is Sick|language=en-US}}

Bates continued to release music through Never Say Die Records throughout later years. Bates released the 4-track EP "Forever Digital" in September 2017,{{Cite web|date=2017-09-19|title=MUST DIE! drops highly anticipated 'Forever Digital' EP|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2017/09/must-die-drops-highly-anticipated-forever-digital-ep/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Medina|first=Sophia|date=2017-09-24|title=MUST DIE! Releases New EP "Forever Digital"|url=https://www.edmsauce.com/2017/09/24/must-die-releases-new-ep-forever-digital/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=EDM Sauce|language=en-US}} featuring a more futuristic style of dubstep,{{Cite web|date=2017-09-19|title=MUST DIE! Showcases A New Breed Of Bass Music With Long-Awaited EP [LISTEN]|url=https://www.youredm.com/2017/09/19/must-die-delivers-futuristic-dubstep-new-forever-digital-ep-listen/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Your EDM|language=en-US}} and described as "filled with thunderous percussion and explosive synths".{{Cite web|date=2017-09-21|title=MUST DIE! Is Back With Explosive Forever Digitial EP|url=https://runthetrap.com/2017/09/21/must-die-forever-digital-ep/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Run The Trap: The Best EDM, Hip Hop & Trap Music|language=en-US}} He also appeared in the label compilation "Hyper Future II".{{Cite web|last=Sani|first=Niko|title=HYPER FUTURE II Drops Featuring MUST DIE! And Friends, REZZ Drops New Remix, & More!|url=https://edm.com/features/word-of-mouth-april-13th|access-date=2021-04-20|website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists|date=14 April 2018 |language=en}} This was followed by a remix of Slander and Saymyname's "I Can't Escape", released through Insomniac.{{Cite web|date=2018-05-27|title=MUST DIE! remixes Slander and SAYMYNAME'S 'I Can't Escape'|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2018/05/must-die-remixes-slander-saymynames-cant-escape/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2018-05-17|title=MUST DIE! Offers Up Insane Remix For Slander x SayMyName's "I Can't Escape" [MUST LISTEN]|url=https://www.youredm.com/2018/05/17/must-die-remix-i-cant-escape/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Your EDM|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2018-05-24|title=SLANDER And SAYMYNAME Get Rambunctious Remix By MUST DIE!|url=https://runthetrap.com/2018/05/24/mustdie-i-cant-escape-remix/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Run The Trap: The Best EDM, Hip Hop & Trap Music|language=en-US}}

In February 2019, Bates released "BLISS 2K" on Never Say Die, a dubstep track with hardstyle influences.{{Cite web|last=Yopko|first=Nick|title=MUST DIE! Weaves Between Genres with the Blistering "Bliss 2K"|url=https://edm.com/music-releases/must-die-bliss-2k|access-date=2021-04-20|website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists|date=6 February 2019 |language=en}} This was continued with "CHAOS", released on May of the same year,{{Cite web|last=Sani|first=Niko|title=MUST DIE! Unleashes "CHAOS"|url=https://edm.com/music-releases/must-die-chaos|access-date=2021-04-20|website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists|date=14 May 2019 |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Antonio|first=Nick|date=2019-05-19|title=Listen: MUST DIE!- CHAOS|url=https://mix247edm.com/listen-must-die-chaos/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Mix 247 EDM|language=en-US}} and "EPIPHANY RUSH" in June.{{Cite web|date=2019-06-21|title=MUST DIE!'s Innovation Is Limitless In 'EPIPHANY RUSH'|url=https://fuxwithit.com/2019/06/21/must-die-epiphany-rush/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=FUXWITHIT|language=en-US}} In August 2019, Bates produced a remix of Svdden Death's "Castles". Bates made several more notable releases throughout 2019, including "MISERY SYSTEM",{{Cite web|last=Cihak|first=Lennon|title=MUST DIE!'s "MISERY SYSTEM" Invokes the Opposite Emotion with Mind-Melting Sound Design|url=https://edm.com/music-releases/must-die-misery-system|access-date=2021-04-20|website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists|date=30 August 2019 |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2019-08-30|title=MUST DIE! Delivers Cybernetic Masterpiece In 'MISERY SYSTEM'|url=https://fuxwithit.com/2019/08/30/must-die-misery-system/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=FUXWITHIT|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=MUST DIE! Releases Massive Dubstep Original "MISERY SYSTEM" - Noiseporn|url=http://noiseprn.com/2019/09/09/must-die-releases-massive-dubstep-original-misery-system/|access-date=2021-04-20|language=en-US}} and "FUNERAL ZONE".{{Cite web|date=2019-11-09|title=MUST DIE! wreaks more havoc with Never Say Die: 'FUNERAL ZONE'|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2019/11/must-die-wreaks-more-havoc-with-never-say-die-funeral-zone/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2019-11-08|title=PREMIERE {{!}} MUST DIE! Unleashes Monstrous New Dubstep Single "FUNERAL ZONE"|url=https://thissongissick.com/post/must-die-funeral-zone-premiere/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=This Song Is Sick|language=en-US}} Bates collaborated with Zomboy a second time on the track "Revival" for the EP Rott & Roll Pt. 2.{{Cite web|last=Kocur|first=Sarah|title=Kompany and Effin Bring New Life to Zomboy and MUST DIE!'s "Revival"|url=https://edm.com/music-releases/zomboy-must-die-revival-remix-effin-kompany|access-date=2021-04-20|website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists|date=11 October 2019 |language=en}}

In August 2020, Bates released a remix of the song "Another Me" by Seven Lions, Excision, and Wooli. Bates announced his second album, titled CRISIS VISION, in April 2021, which was released on Never Say Die Records the following month and featured increasing influences from techno and hard dance.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-10|title=MUST DIE! Announces New Album 'CRISIS VISION' Out Next Month [DETAILS]|url=https://www.youredm.com/2021/04/10/must-die-new-album-crisis-vision-out-next-month/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Your EDM|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Heffler|first=Jason|title=MUST DIE! Announces New Full-Length Album, "CRISIS VISION"|url=https://edm.com/news/must-die-announces-full-length-album-crisis-vision|access-date=2021-04-20|website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists|date=9 April 2021 |language=en}} This was preceded with several singles from the album on the label, including "NERVE DAMAGE", "HELLBURST",{{Cite web|date=2020-08-04|title=MUST DIE! ignores the rules in relentless bass number, 'HELLBURST'|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2020/08/must-die-ignores-the-rules-in-relentless-new-bass-number-hellburst/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US}} and "SORROW TECH". The announcement was followed by the single "LOL OK", a collaboration with dubstep producer Skream and Akeos.{{Cite web|last=Heffler|first=Jason|title=Skream Reveals Collaboration With MUST DIE! and Akeos|url=https://edm.com/news/skream-reveals-must-die-akeos-collaboration|access-date=2021-04-20|website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists|date=12 March 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Sani|first=Niko|title=MUST DIE!, Skream and Akeos Release Highly Anticipated Mega-Collaboration, "LOL OK"|url=https://edm.com/music-releases/must-die-skream-akeos-lol-ok|access-date=2021-04-20|website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists|date=16 April 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-04-19|title=MUST DIE! and Skream share crackling new single 'LOL OK'|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2021/04/must-die-and-skream-share-crackling-new-single-lol-ok/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2021-04-16|title=Skream Returns To Dubstep on New Collab with MUSTDIE!, "LOL OK"|url=https://thissongissick.com/post/skream-mustdie-lol-ok/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=This Song Is Sick|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2021-04-16|title=MUST DIE!, Akeos & Skream Join Forces In Unexpected 'LOL OK'|url=https://fuxwithit.com/2021/04/16/must-die-akeos-skream-lol-ok/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=FUXWITHIT|language=en-US}}

In 2022, Bates collaborated with Zomboy on a track on Zomboy's EP Dead Man Walking Pt. 1.{{Cite web |last=Sani |first=Niko |title=Zomboy Unleashes Heavy-Hitting EP, "Dead Man Walking Pt. 1" |url=https://edm.com/music-releases/zomboy-dead-man-walking-pt-1-ep-rott-n-roll-records |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists |date=23 July 2022 |language=en}} He released the single "ANGELWARE" later in March.{{Cite web |last=Sani |first=Niko |title=MUST DIE! Returns to Never Say Die With High-Powered Single "ANGELWARE" |url=https://edm.com/music-releases/must-die-angelware |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists |date=25 March 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-28 |title=MUST DIE! Delivers A Bass Brute In 'ANGELWARE' |url=https://fuxwithit.com/2022/03/28/must-die-angelware/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=FUXWITHIT |language=en-US}} He then made an appearance on Eptic's debut album, The End of the World, on the song Skill Check.{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Austin |title=Eptic Unveils Debut Album 'The End of The World' |url=https://www.moonlvnding.com/post/eptic-unveils-debut-album-the-end-of-the-world |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=Moonlvnding.com |language=en}} In November of that year, he released his third album, FERAL FANTASY, through Create Music Group, which includes collaborations from producers Lil Texas, Descender, and Water Spirit.{{Cite web |last=Bhanawat |first=Akshay |title=MUST DIE! Obliterates Fans With New Album 'FERAL FANTASY' |url=https://themusicessentials.com/music/must-die-feral-fantasy/ |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=themusicessentials.com |date=28 October 2022 |language=en}} It was preceded by the singles "GRAVEBLOOM", "U SHOULD KNOW", and "KEEP U SAFE".

In 2023, Bates released the VAMPIRE WEAPON: CRIMSON EP through Create Music Group, preceded by the singles "DALLAS", "UNDERGROUND", and "ETERNALLY", the latter of which featured Bates performing his own deathcore vocals.https://twitter.com/mustdiemusic/status/1706715377630314621?s=46&t=bDHYpCuoRM0NYr_vaIMCEA {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}

In 2024, Bates created the Hivemind alias alongside fellow dubstep musicians Kayzo and Space Laces.{{Cite web |last=Yopko |first=Nick |date=2023-11-02 |title=Kayzo, Space Laces and MUST DIE! Reveal New Hard Dance Alias, Announce Debut Show |url=https://edm.com/news/kayzo-must-die-space-laces-new-group-hivemind |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists |language=en}} Bates made his debut release on Monstercat in 2025 with "Back 2 The Rave", a collaboration with Kayzo.

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Category:Living people

Category:American electronic musicians

Category:American record producers

Category:American dubstep musicians

Category:1991 births