Meet the winner of Mixmag and Edmwarrior’s Make It: Bass competition, Mykhailo Shkredov

We’re challenging dance music producers and emerging artists from all over the world to showcase their creativity and production prowess by entering our brand new series of competitions in collaboration with Edmwarriors, the go-to marketplace for music production.

Last month, we asked aspiring producers to take part in the third round of our production competition, Make It: Bass. The rules were simple: create an original track with no limitations, and most importantly, get creative. All tracks submitted had to fit in the bass genre, or any of its sub-genres.

After submissions closed, we had plenty of tracks to choose from with original cuts ranging from a glistening bass track from Weet, a sub-bass banger from Punker, Mykhailo Shkredov's rapidfire jungle track, a low-end heavy club cut from ItsHIRAD, and a scintillating bass track from DATROXE. Each of these artists made our shortlist, which you can listen to below.

It was a hard decision, but we've crowned one winner: Mykhailo Shkredov. The selection process was made by the teams at both Mixmag and Edmwarriors, who searched for an innovative bass track that stood out from the crowd.

Ukraine-born, Montenegro-based producer Mykhailo Shkredov began making music with influence from early styles of hip hop and boom-bap as a way of expressing himself when words couldn't after moving countries. "Initially, because of a language barrier, it was difficult for me to present myself as a person," he says. "But my music allowed me to reveal different sides of who I am". His styles now touch on jungle, drum 'n' bass, and UK garage, referencing artists such as Fred again.. and Overmono as more recent influences. "Over time, my skills and musical tastes evolved, and I started exploring new genres while blending them with the familiar sounds of hip hop," he says. "This journey has been about growth, not just in music, but in self-expression and creativity."

Listen to Mykhailo Shkredov’s winning track below, and check out a Q&A with him to find out about his journey as a producer.

Could you share a bit about yourself and your journey as a music producer and artist?

My journey with music began with hip hop during a time when I was moving to a new country, with no connections or opportunities there. I started making mixtapes and simple beats for freestyling and recording my own material. At that point, I didn't have a clear goal as an artist or producer, I was simply doing what I loved without knowing where it would take me.

What initially sparked your passion for music production, and how did you get started?

Since I started releasing my first tracks, I began receiving feedback from friends and acquaintances. It was incredibly rewarding to know that there were people who connected with my music and experienced different emotions while listening to my tracks, which motivated me to explore new genres and develop in various directions. I started up in a small room with bare concrete walls, equipped with just the minimum recording gear and far from ideal conditions. But as my skills and musical tastes evolved, so did my studio. Over time, both my workspace and my abilities grew, allowing me to delve deeper into music production and refine my sound.

Where do you draw inspiration from, and who or what has shaped your musical style?

The longing for home and friends has often fuelled my feelings, driving me to express myself through music. I gradually transitioned from classic hip hop and boom-bap to something much bigger. I began exploring new genres within bass music, like drum 'n' bass, UK garage, and 2-step. The atmospheric rhythms of Burial, the intense energy of Noisia, and the exceptional drum 'n' bass from UKF have all had a significant impact on my style. More recently, artists like Fred again.. and Overmono have also influenced my sound.

I don't rely on specific references when working on music, my inspiration comes from the small details around me — people, the city, nature, and the emotions I experience. These elements come together to shape the music I create.

What message or feeling do you hope to communicate through your music?

I simply want to share emotions through my music. Music has the power to help us navigate different phases of our lives; it allows us to feel, enjoy, dance, and experience life in all its different aspects. My hope is that my music resonates with people and brings them whatever they need at that moment — whether it's comfort, joy, or a reason to dance.

What are your future plans as a producer, and can you give us a hint about any upcoming releases?

I’m planning to release a lot of exciting projects this year. I also have plans to try my hand at DJing for my own live performances and release a couple of tracks with a label.

On August 16, my new track 'Endless Echo' is coming out — it's a melodic and beautiful drum 'n' bass piece featuring female vocals and a magical atmosphere.

My next project, titled 'Taxi', incorporates 2-step, UK garage, and trap. This track is themed around the chaos of traffic, the rush, and the madness of the city. It features Eastern motifs, aggressive bass, and intense energy. 'Taxi' will be released in early September on all music platforms.

Make It Contest is a collaboration with Edmwarriors, a leading music production marketplace specialising in ghost production, providing opportunities for aspiring producers to showcase their talent.

After three rounds of this competition, we're excited to announce the final one, Make It: Melodic House / Techno. Whether you're established or just starting out, this is your chance to get involved and make your mark - keep your eyes peeled on both Mixmag and Edmwarriors' socials to find out more information, and keep up to date on the ongoing competition here.