Jessica Audiffred on Balancing Psychology and Bass Music Ahead of Her Ultra Music Festival Debut

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. The Path to Music
4. Breaking Barriers
5. Preparing for the Ultra Music Festival
6. Evolving Sound: The Future is Bright
7. The Bigger Picture: Music as Therapy
8. FAQ

Key Highlights

• Jessica Audiffred, a Mexican bass music producer with a psychology degree, has been named Billboard’s Dance Rookie of the Month for March 2025, highlighting her unique ability to influence and engage large crowds through music.
• She will make her debut at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami, a significant milestone in her emerging career.
• Audiffred’s journey from a quiet love for nu-metal to performing on the grandest stages of electronic music reflects her evolution amid challenges of sexism in the music industry.

Introduction

What does it mean to control a crowd? Jessica Audiffred, a rising star in the world of bass music, believes that DJing is akin to therapy, a means of guiding the emotions of thousands of people. "You’re dictating a crowd’s mood for the entire set," she explains. With a psychology degree in one hand and DJ decks in the other, Audiffred is a living embodiment of the powerful synergy between psychology and music. As she prepares to take the stage for her highly anticipated Ultra Music Festival debut in Miami this weekend, Audiffred's story intertwines passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of authenticity in an industry often defined by barriers.

The Path to Music

Jessica Audiffred's journey into music began in the context of a skeptical family environment. Growing up, her father doubted the viability of a career in music, which led Audiffred to pursue a degree in psychology as a safety net. However, her passion for music always remained prevalent. "Playing clubs and festivals could ever be a lucrative career," he would say. Yet, she notes, “music was an emotional outlet for me.” She harnessed her early experiences in psychology to understand human emotions, turning each gig into a canvas for psychological exploration—an opportunity to create shared experiences through sound.

Embracing Bass Music

The core of Audiffred's musical identity lies in her exploration of bass music, which offers a visceral experience unique to the electronic music landscape. Her love for nu-metal quickly morphed into an obsession with dubstep and bass music, with influences from renowned producers like Flux Pavilion, Excision, and Doctor P. Audiffred entered a realm where her artistry began defining her life.

Reflecting on her career's start, she recalls the scarcity of a bass music scene in Mexico. “At that time, there was no one doing dubstep or bass,” she shares. "When I started DJing, people would often ask, ‘Why is she not playing techno? Why is she not playing house?’" Yet, being an anomaly in that landscape became her competitive advantage, positioning her to challenge the status quo.

Breaking Barriers

In 2015, Audiffred took a significant stride forward by establishing her own label, A Records. The platform allowed her to produce her music and promote other artists sharing her vision of hard-hitting bass. "When I began, I had nothing but YouTube and friends in our living rooms," she reminisces. "Creating A Records was a way of building a community."

Accolades began to arrive when Flux Pavilion recognized her talent in a list of global artists to watch in 2016, further opening doors. Audiffred made waves by remixing tracks for prominent musicians and becoming the official national DJ for HP Computers and Beats Audio, marking her initial foray into international markets. “They took me to Miami, to Boston, and to gigs I had never imagined,” she enthused.

Encountering Challenges: Sexism in the Industry

The electronic music scene, particularly bass music, remains predominantly male. Audiffred has faced her share of sexism, experiencing accusations of not being a "real" producer due to gender biases rampant in the industry. “When people see a girl producing heavy music, it’s ingrained in their minds that she’s not making it,” she reflects.

However, Audiffred's presence in the field has contributed to changing perceptions. “Every year, we see more successful females in the industry; I think we’re on a run,” she asserts, confident that progressive momentum is slowly dismantling patriarchal strongholds in electronic music.

Preparing for the Ultra Music Festival

With her upcoming performance at the Ultra Music Festival, Audiffred finds herself at a pivotal moment in art and career. She is set to share the stage in a back-to-back set with Virginia producer Alleycvt, following a b2b performance from her idol, Flux Pavilion, and Doctor P. “It’s a full-circle moment for me,” she notes, expressing excitement about connecting her past struggles and future aspirations.

Audiffred is keen to engage the crowd at Ultra, bringing her unique emotional intelligence to the fore. She recognizes that the opportunity to perform at one of the world's premier music festivals embodies her journey. “This festival isn’t just a performance; it’s a chance to validate my journey and impact my audience profoundly,” she asserts.

Evolving Sound: The Future is Bright

Audiffred’s musical evolution mirrors her journey towards mainstream acceptance in an otherwise niche genre. Recently, she has embarked on releasing her debut album, "Rave New World," with an intent to explore new sounds beyond her established bass music roots. She describes her forthcoming tracks as a transition into adjacent genres like trap and future house.

“I think that’s the last harsh dubstep you’re going to hear from me,” she admits, recognizing the need for artistic growth and the desire to resonate with a broader audience. The album is not only a mark of her artistic expression but also a personal tribute—a message of encouragement to her younger self believing in her dreams.

Community Impact: Cultivating a Scene

Jessica Audiffred’s foresight has also led her to create opportunities in Mexico through her festival, Mad House. In a country where bass music was virtually absent, "Mad House" has catalyzed the community, attracting promoters and fans alike to celebrate the culture of bass music. "It excites me to see more bass music events in Mexico," she shares. "I want my legacy to build a scene, to create opportunities for those who come after me."

The Bigger Picture: Music as Therapy

For Audiffred, music transcends entertainment; it serves as a therapeutic tool. She reiterates her belief, stating, “Entering a venue where thousands share the same love for music is something magical.” Lessons from her psychology background inform her perspective on crowd dynamics. Each performance is an opportunity—an open invitation to heal, celebrate, and engage collectively.

FAQ

1. What is Jessica Audiffred's background?
Audiffred has a background in psychology, which she believes enhances her ability to connect with audiences through music. She also has a degree in psychology.

2. What is her significant upcoming performance?
Audiffred will perform at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami, marking her debut at one of the world's largest electronic music festivals.

3. What does she mean by stating music is like therapy?
Audiffred describes her role as a DJ as one that controls the emotional atmosphere of a crowd, akin to therapy, where she guides people’s feelings through music.

4. How has she faced challenges as a female producer?
Audiffred has encountered sexism and skepticism in the male-dominated bass music scene but has been vocal about these issues, helping evolve perceptions in the industry.

5. What is her current musical direction?
Audiffred is working on her debut album, "Rave New World," which aims to explore new sounds beyond traditional heavy bass music into genres like trap and future house.

6. What community initiatives is she involved in?
She created the Mad House festival in Mexico to promote bass music and provide a platform for local and aspiring artists in the genre.

7. How has her career trajectory changed since she started?
From early skepticism and a lack of recognition, Audiffred has evolved into an internationally recognized artist, gaining momentum through support from prominent figures in the electronic music industry.

Questions surrounding Jessica Audiffred's journey reveal not just the diversity within electronic music but also the paths paved by those who dare to challenge the norms, redefine barriers, and share their stories audibly and personally.