Wikipedia

Rezz

For similar terms, see Rez (disambiguation).

Isabelle Rezazadeh (born 28 March 1995), who is known by her stage name Rezz (stylized in all caps), is a Ukrainian–Canadian DJ and record producer from Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Rezz
Rezz in 2017
Background information
Birth nameIsabelle Rezazadeh
Born (1995-03-28) 28 March 1995 (age 29)
Kharkiv, Ukraine
OriginNiagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupations
InstrumentDigital audio workstation
Years active2015–present
Labels
Member ofREZZMAU5
SpouseSydney Fisher (m. 2024)
Websiteofficialrezz.com

Rezz released her debut extended play (EP) Insurrection in 2015 through Owsla's sub-label Nest HQ. In 2016, she signed with record label mau5trap and released her follow-up EPs The Silence is Deafening and Something Wrong Here. Rezz released her debut studio album Mass Manipulation in 2017 and her follow-up album Certain Kind of Magic in 2018. She released her third album Spiral in 2021 through RCA Records. She then founded her own label HypnoVizion Records, through which she released her fourth album Can You See Me? (2024), which focuses on a bass music sound.

Early life

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Isabelle Rezazadeh was born on 28 March 1995[3][5] in Ukraine to a Ukrainian mother and an Iranian father, before moving to Canada at a young age.[6][7] The family settled in Niagara Falls.[4] While attending high school there, Rezz worked at a branch of Hard Rock Cafe.[8]

Rezz began DJing at the age of 16,[9] playing music by other artists until she became inspired by a deadmau5 concert to create her own.[10] According to Rezz, she knew she wanted to work in the music industry when she was 18.[9][11][12]

Career

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2013–2016: Early career

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In 2013, Rezz started producing music on her laptop at her home in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and uploaded it to the music-sharing website SoundCloud.[13][14] She released Insurrection on Owsla subsidiary NEST on 20 July 2015. Later that year, she released music on deadmau5's record label Mau5trap and her track "Serenity" was included on the compilation album We Are Friends, Vol. 4 (2015).[15][16][17] During her early career, the American disc jockey (DJ) Skrillex noticed Rezz via a blog; he followed her and sent her a message via Twitter.[10]

In 2016, Rezz announced her first extended play (EP) The Silence is Deafening, which was released on the music label Mau5trap on 22 January 2016. Her second EP Something Wrong Here was released on Mau5trap on 7 October 2016; it charted in the United States, peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Dance Charts.[18]

2017–2018: Mass Manipulation and Certain Kind of Magic

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Main articles: Mass Manipulation and Certain Kind of Magic

In 2017, Mau5trap announced Rezz's debut studio album Mass Manipulation. On 7 July 2017, a music video for "Relax" was released on Mau5trap's YouTube channel to promote the album's release. Mass Manipulation was released on digital download stores on 4 August 2017,[19] and as a vinyl LP on 6 October 2017.[20] In 2018, Mass Manipulation was named the best Electronic Album of the Year at the Juno Awards.[21]

On 1 June 2018, Rezz announced her second studio album Certain Kind of Magic.[22][23] "Witching Hour", its lead single, was released on 4 June,[24] and the second single "Hex", which was made in collaboration with 1788-L, was released later that month.[25] The album was released on 3 August through Mau5trap.[26]

2019–2021: Beyond the Senses and Spiral

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Main article: Spiral (Rezz album)

On 14 May 2019, Rezz announced on Twitter her EP Beyond the Senses was set for release on 24 July.[27][28] She released the single "Dark Age" the following day.[29][30] On 12 June, she released a collaboration titled "Falling" with the American band Underoath.[31][32] It was accompanied by a music video that was released the same day,[33][34] and an online VR listening party through WaveVR with VR Arcades across North America and also Otherworld in London taking part in physical events supporting the listening party.[35]

Rezz is profiled in the 2020 documentary film Underplayed,[36] and performed a DJ set following the film's Canadian premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival.[37]

In 2021, Rezz collaborated with deadmau5 to release a single named "Hypnocurrency" through Mau5trap.[38] On 24 April, she performed a set at Porter Robinson's virtual music festival Secret Sky.[39] On 21 May, Rezz released "Taste of You", a collaboration with Dove Cameron.[40] Rezz released Spiral, her third album, on 19 November.[41]

2022–present: HypnoVizion Records, It's Not a Phase, and Can You See Me?

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Main article: Can You See Me? (album)

In 2022, Rezz launched a label called HypnoVizion Records.[42] The label's first release was a Halloween-themed mix and album entitled Nightmare on Rezz Street 2.[43] On 21 April 2023, an EP entitled It's Not a Phase (styled in all caps) and described by the artist as "goth-punk" was announced[44] and was released on 20 July.[45]

On 13 October, Rezz and deadmau5 released "Infraliminal", a rework of deadmau5's 2012 song "Superliminal", as their debut single as REZZMAU5.[46] An alternate version titled "Infraliminal (Isabelle's Version)" was released alongside the original. Speaking about the track and collaboration with deadmau5, Rezz cited "Superliminal" as her favourite deadmau5 track, stating: "That's one of the key songs that stunned me and I immediately had to learn to produce music. I put my own lil [sic] spin on it, while Joel also did his own lil [sic] spin".[47] In January 2024, Rezz with Subtronics and Holly released collaborative singles titled "Black Ice" and "Dysphoria", respectively.[48][49] She also announced her fourth album Can You See Me?, which was released on 14 March.[50]

Musical style and influences

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Rezz is an electronic music producer and DJ; her sound has been described as "midtempo bass" and a modern styling of "new beat".[1] In 2015, MTV called her the "new queen of the dark techno scene", writing she had been "making electronic and techy beats for two years" at that point.[3] EDM.com's Niko Sani wrote Rezz's "deliciously ominous, often alien-sounding bass music" helped gain her popularity within the electronic music scene in around 2016.[51] Other music writers have referred to Rezz's music as sounding "dark",[52] as well as "menacing", "mechanical", "haunting and industrial".[53] Spotify's outlet For the Record profiled Rezz, calling her "one of the most highly regarded producers of downtempo soundscapes", and saying she "strikes a firm balance between minimal original tech compositions and the all-heavy bass".[52]

Rezz has described her music as "eerie, grungy, dungeon sounds".[54] She has stated while growing up, she listened exclusively to bands,[55] particularly punk and rock bands.[52] My Chemical Romance, Bring Me the Horizon, and Underoath have been cited as such bands she listened to in her youth.[56] She cited Silverstein as one band that she frequently listened to that had an influence on her EP It's Not A Phase.[55] Deadmau5 is an early inspiration for Rezz.[52] She has also mentioned Zeds Dead and Metric as fellow Canadian artists who have influenced her.[52] Rezz is known for the signature LED spiraling "hypno glasses" she wears during live performances.[57]

Personal life

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On 15 August 2023, Rezz announced her engagement to fellow musician and frequent collaborator Sydney Fisher, who is known by her stage name fknsyd.[58] The couple held their wedding in September 2024.[59]

Discography

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Main article: Rezz discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

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Year Ceremony Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
2018 Juno Awards Electronic Album of the Year Mass Manipulation Won [21]
2019 Juno Awards Electronic Album of the Year Certain Kind of Magic Nominated [60]
2020 Juno Awards Electronic Album of the Year Beyond the Senses Won [61]
2021 Juno Awards Dance Recording of the Year "Someone Else" Nominated [62]
2022 Juno Awards Dance Recording of the Year "Hypnocurrency" Nominated [63]
2023 Juno Awards Dance Recording of the Year Spiral Nominated [64]
Electronic Album of the Year Nightmare on Rezz Street 2 Nominated [64]

References

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  1. ^ a b Thompson, Ian (9 July 2018). "[Interview] Notaker Gets Gritty with New EP EREBUS I". EDMTunes. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  2. ^ Thompson, Ian (29 June 2018). "[LISTEN] REZZ x 1788-L - H E X - EDMTunes.com". EDMTunes. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Rezz Is The New Queen Of The Dark Techno Scene". MTV News. Archived from the original on 6 November 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Meet the 20-Year-Old Producer from Niagara Falls Dubbed the "Female Gesaffelstein"". Thump[broken anchor]. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2017.[broken anchor]&rft.atitle=Meet the 20-Year-Old Producer from Niagara Falls Dubbed the "Female Gesaffelstein"&rft.date=2015-06-05&rft_id=https://thump.vice.com/en_au/article/pg8bxz/meet-the-20-year-old-producer-from-niagara-falls-dubbed-the-female-gesaffelstein&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Rezz" class="Z3988">
  5. ^ Powell, Karlie (28 March 2019). "Celebrate Rezz's Birthday with The 10 Best Rezz Memes". Your EDM. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  6. ^ Tantum, Bruce (4 January 2017). "Dark Star: REZZ Is Moving On Up". DJ Times. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  7. ^ Rezz [@sunglasssister] (20 July 2021). "I was literally born in Ukraine that's so fucked up lmfao my passport says Kharkov, Ukraine. shout out to my parents that came from nothing and brought us to Canada" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 February 2024 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Leonard, Alex (13 February 2017). "Rezz explains her Canadian influences in electronic music [Interview Show Review]". Earmilk. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  9. ^ a b Sheban, Molly (30 March 2017). "Exclusive Interview with Rezz". EDM Chicago. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  10. ^ a b Law, John (11 June 2020) [25 August 2015]. "Deadmau5 inspired Rezz, a rising EDM star". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  11. ^ Chakravorty, Sanj (16 March 2017). "Things We Learned from Rezz's First AMA on Reddit – EDMTunes". EDMTunes. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  12. ^ Marro, Ashley (27 February 2016). "Key To Happiness: Discover Your Passion and Don't Let Anyone Rain On Your Parade [Rezz Exclusive Interview]". Stoney Roads. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  13. ^ Bain, Katie (28 March 2019). "Inside the Cult of REZZ: How the DJ-Producer Built a Frenzied Following Without Radio Hits". Billboard. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  14. ^ Rezz. Gremlin (Original Mix). Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via SoundCloud.
  15. ^ "Interview: REZZ - NEST HQ". NEST HQ. 21 July 2015. Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  16. ^ "Watch Young EDM Prodigy Rezz Bring the Real Talk in New AMA [VIDEO]". EDM.com. 13 May 2016. Archived from the original on 23 May 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  17. ^ Hancock, Luc (3 March 2016). "Aspire to Inspire 119: Rezz". Your EDM. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  18. ^ "Why Rezz Traded Partying for Producing Dark, Deadmau5-Influenced Dancefloor Beats | Village Voice". 4 February 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  19. ^ "REZZ: Interview with EDM's rising star". Monsters and Critics. 27 January 2016. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  20. ^ @mau5trap (5 October 2017). "surprise: we did. "@OfficialRezz - Mass Manipulation" on vinyl & CD pre-sale tomorrow 10am PST!!" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 October 2017 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ a b "Junos 2018: the complete list of winners | CBC Music". CBC. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  22. ^ "REZZ announces her second album 'Certain Kind of Magic'". Mixmag. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  23. ^ "REZZ Announces New Album 'Certain Kind Of Magic'". Magnetic Mag. June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  24. ^ "REZZ unveils the sinister 'Witching Hour'". Dancing Astronaut. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  25. ^ Bein, Kat (29 June 2018). "Rezz & 1788-L Get Real Weird on 'Hex': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  26. ^ "REZZ shares details, release date for sophomore album, 'Certain Kind Of Magic'". Dancing Astronaut. June 2018.
  27. ^ Cameron, John (14 May 2019). "Rezz Shares Tracklist of Upcoming EP, Beyond the Senses". EDM.com. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  28. ^ "Rezz's six-track 'Beyond The Senses' EP release date and tracklist revealed". DJMag. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  29. ^ "Rezz Expands Her Sonic Formula With New Song 'Dark Age': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  30. ^ "REZZ signals new EP with smoldering new single, 'Dark Age'". Dancing Astronaut. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  31. ^ "REZZ Drops 'Falling,' a Throttling Collaboration With Hardcore Act Underoath". Billboard. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  32. ^ "Rezz Teams With Underoath's Aaron Gillespie on 'Falling' Video". Spin. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  33. ^ Childers, Chad (12 June 2019). "Underoath's Aaron Gillespie Joins Rezz for 'Falling' Video". Loudwire. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  34. ^ Campbell, Rachel (12 June 2019). "Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie enters alternate reality in EDM collab". Alternative Press. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  35. ^ Meadow, Matthew (17 July 2019). "REZZ Reveals Global VR Listening Party for Her New EP". Your EDM. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  36. ^ Mughal, Alisha (16 September 2020). "'Underplayed' Highlights EDM's Diversity Problem — and Shows Why It's So Important to Fix It". Exclaim!. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  37. ^ Middleton, Ryan (26 August 2020). "Underplayed: New Film Examining Sexism In Dance Music Screening At TIFF Next Month". Magnetic Magazine. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  38. ^ Kupfer, Rachel (23 April 2021). "REZZ and deadmau5 unveil hotly anticipated midtempo banger, "Hypnocurrency"". EDM.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  39. ^ "Porter Robinson unveils 2021 Secret Sky lineup: REZZ, Baauer, Boys Noize, and more". Dancing Astronaut. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  40. ^ Gomez, Nancy (25 May 2021). "REZZ Collabs With Dove Cameron on 'Taste of You'". EDMTunes. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  41. ^ Eede, Christian (22 November 2021). "Rezz releases new album, Spiral: Listen". DJ Mag. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  42. ^ Sunkel, Cameron (4 October 2022). "REZZ Commits to Unearthing the Unexplainable With New Record Label, HypnoVizion Records". EDM.com. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  43. ^ Goldenberg, Ross (25 October 2022). "REZZ launches HypnoVizion with audio-visual sequel mix, 'Nightmare on Rezz Street 2'". dancingastronaut.com. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  44. ^ Yopko, Nick (18 April 2023). "Rezz Reveals Upcoming Goth-Punk EP, It's Not a Phase". EDM.com. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  45. ^ Freeman, Rachel (20 July 2023). "Rezz Embraces Inner Angst in Goth-Inspired EP, IT'S NOT A PHASE". EDM.com. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  46. ^ Yopko, Nick (13 October 2023). "REZZMAU5 Reimagine 2012 deadmau5 Classic in Monstrous Collaboration, "Infraliminal"". EDM.com. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  47. ^ "Rezz and deadmau5 Share Stunning Debut Track as REZZMAU5, "Infraliminal"". This Song Is Sick. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  48. ^ Sunkel, Cameron (9 January 2024). "Rezz and Subtronics Once Again Showcase Chilling Innovation With New Track, "Black Ice"". EDM.com. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  49. ^ Bain, Katie (19 January 2024). "Friday Dance Music Guide: The Week's Best New Tracks From REZZ & Holly, Shygirl & Boys Noize & More". Billboard. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  50. ^ Heffler, Jason (16 January 2024). "Rezz Says Her New Album Will Feature the "Heaviest Tracks" of Her Career". EDM.com. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  51. ^ Sani, Niko (19 November 2021). "REZZ's Production Mastery Shines On Mesmerizing Third Album, "Spiral"". EDM.com. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  52. ^ a b c d e "Famed DJ Rezz Brings Her Dark, Doomy Bass Sounds to 'Can You Hear Me'". For the Record. Spotify. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  53. ^ Bain, Katie (14 May 2019). "Rezz Expands Her Sonic Formula With New Song 'Dark Age': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  54. ^ Adams, Katie (23 January 2024) [22 January 2024]. "Meet Rezz: the Canadian producer making 'eery and grungy' EDM hits". CBC Music. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  55. ^ a b Tregoning, Jack (27 July 2023). "8 Times Dance Stars Channeled Their Inner Punk Kid, From Deadmau5 & Gerard Way To Rezz & Silverstein". Grammys. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  56. ^ Chapstick, Kelsey (20 July 2023). "EDM star REZZ on new goth EP, DEFTONES love, POLYPHIA and SILVERSTEIN collab". Revolver. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  57. ^ Heffler, Jason (16 March 2024). "Rezz Is Finally Selling a Line of Her Signature LED Glasses". EDM.com. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  58. ^ "Rezz and fknsyd are Engaged to be Married". EDM Identity. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  59. ^ Palya, Ashley (2 October 2024). "Inside Rezz's intimate wedding to long-time girlfriend Syd". Exron Music. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  60. ^ "2019 ELECTRONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR REZZ The JUNO Awards". Juno Awards. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  61. ^ "Alessia Cara and Tory Lanez lead the 2020 Juno nominations". CBC Music. 12 March 2020 [28 January 2020]. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  62. ^ Law, John (10 March 2021). "REZZ, Deadmau5, Murda Beatz lead Niagara Juno brigade". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  63. ^ "Here are all the 2022 Juno Award winners". CBC Music. 15 May 2022 [14 May 2022]. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  64. ^ a b McClure, Leah (1 February 2023). "Rezz, Loud Luxury, Bensley, BLOND:ISH and More Nominated for 2022 JUNO Awards: See the Full List". EDM.com. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
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