Oshi is creating his own lane of wonky, emotional bass that's making an Impact

Impact is a series dedicated to profiling raw talent that's about to turn dance music on its head. Next up: Oshi.

Some people walk into a room and command the attention of every set of eyeballs in front of them. Maybe it's because of their looks or their stature.

Despite a firework of curly, burgundy and larger-than-life head of hair, Oshi is the center of attention not only for his looks, but because of his off-the-walls antics and candid personality. Embodying the "no fucks given" attitude, Oshi is a teen producer based in Los Angeles by way of London. At only 19-years old, it might be hard to believe that Joshua Brennan is truly the one behind his emotionally stirring and starkly unique take on future bass music.

At only 17, he'd already collaborated with Skrillex and been supported by Soulection. Soon after, he caught the attention of major players like Mija, Tokimonsta and even Lorde while dabbling in the studio with R&B singer Omarion, Baauer and more.

So it's time to get into the makings of Oshi and learn about where his eclectic musical taste and style comes from. Plus, find an exclusive Impact mix below.

What was growing up in North London like?

I moved to North London when I was five, so the start of my childhood I spent in West London. Neither place was really good. Most of my childhood I spent living in the “bad” places in London, which is why I spent a lot of time indoors. I was trying to avoid being killed or kidnapped. Growing up in London was interesting, to say the least - I saw a lot of things that molded me to who I am now... I could go on about crime rates, but I don’t want to get political.

I hear you’re close with your mom. Did she have an influence on your love of music?

My mum has the best fucking taste in music. She would play music around the house all the time. Some of my earliest memories are of my mum cleaning the house, listening to reggae, drum ’n’ bass, R&B… I was exposed to a lot of music from an early age.

Did you know immediately that you wanted to produce too?

No, I just enjoyed listening to music at first. You know the Sony Ericsson phones? Those were the first with actual good music systems in them, and I found one on the floor one time walking to school - I didn’t steal it!

With my mum playing the music, then finding the phone… there used to be a little virtual DJing, music-making app on it.I was addicted to it. I’d go downstairs and say, “Look mum, I just made this. It’s flame, fire!”

I started making YouTube videos with my cousin, which was when I realized there was a whole community of people posting and making beats. I realized I wanted to do it and make drum ’n’ bass and make my mum happy! I transitioned from the phone to the first program I used called Mixcraft, then I found a video on YouTube called ‘Inspector Gadget’ drum ’n’ bass remix. It inspired me to download the next piece of software. I started making drum ’n’ bass - really terrible drum ’n’ bass - and I realized that it was making me happy, not just my mum.

It took a few years from finding the phone with the beat-making thing on it to actually sitting down and making music for myself. I started when I was like 11… and I just turned 19.