T-Pain & BPM Supreme Crown Three Remix Champions: MAAHEZ, DISTO, and nesse -j- Transform “Wake Up Dead”

In a groundbreaking collaboration that captured the attention of aspiring and professional DJs worldwide, iconic artist T-Pain partnered with BPM Supreme – a premier music delivery service for professional DJs – to launch the highly anticipated “Wake Up Dead” Remix Contest. This initiative challenged producers globally to reimagine his hit track, featuring Chris Brown, into something entirely new and captivating. After weeks of intense competition and a staggering nearly 1,000 entries submitted, the contest has culminated in the crowning of not just one, but three exceptional winners: nesse -j-, MAAHEZ, and DISTO. These talented individuals skillfully “put it down, flipped it, and reversed it,” as T-Pain himself might say, demonstrating remarkable creativity and technical prowess to stand out from a massive pool of contenders. Their innovative interpretations of “Wake Up Dead” left an indelible impression on the “All I Do Is Win” rapper, who couldn’t be more thrilled with the results. “Don’t sleep on these remixes, y’all,” T-Pain exclusively told HollywoodLife. “When I tell you we found the best, we found the best! Big shout out to BPM Supreme and their brand new online sample library, BPM Create. If you haven’t checked them out yet – make sure you do that now.” This contest not only showcased immense talent but also highlighted the vibrant, ever-evolving landscape of modern music production and the powerful role of digital platforms in fostering new artists.

The “Wake Up Dead” remix contest was strategically timed to coincide with a significant milestone for BPM Supreme: the official launch of BPM Create. This innovative new online sample library is meticulously designed to be a game-changer for creative music production, offering an unparalleled resource for producers, beatmakers, and sound designers. Boasting an expansive collection of over 100,000 musical stems, cutting-edge effects, pristine vocals, dynamic drum beats, and a vast array of other royalty-free sounds, BPM Create stands in distinct contrast to its parent service, BPM Supreme, which is renowned for its record pool featuring more mainstream and commercial sounds suitable for live DJ sets. BPM Create is envisioned as a crucible for originality, providing artists with the building blocks to forge their unique sonic identities without the constraints of licensing fees. Co-founder and CEO of BPM Supreme, Angel “AROCK” Castillo, shared his enthusiasm for the contest’s success, telling HollywoodLife EXCLUSIVELY how he believes the “Wake Up Dead” challenge served as an undeniable triumph in showcasing the capabilities and potential of this brand-new service. “T-Pain and I couldn’t be happier to give these new artists a platform to showcase their talents during an unprecedented time in the music industry,” AROCK remarked, underscoring the contest’s dual purpose of talent discovery and platform promotion.

The task of selecting the ultimate winners from nearly a thousand diverse and imaginative submissions was, as expected, a monumental challenge. Each entry brought its own unique flavor and technical finesse to T-Pain’s original track, making the judging process an intricate dance of discernment. “It was not easy to choose these three new producers from the submission pool of talented artists we received,” AROCK confessed to HollywoodLife, acknowledging the sheer depth of talent that emerged throughout the competition. The difficulty in narrowing down the field speaks volumes about the quality of work submitted and the burgeoning pool of global production talent. However, after careful consideration, nesse -j-, MAAHEZ, and DISTO were identified as the standout artists whose remixes truly embodied the spirit of transformation and innovation that the contest sought to inspire. Looking ahead, the excitement continues to build as BPM Supreme and T-Pain prepare to share these incredible creations with the world. “We look forward to releasing the remixes on all DSPs for the world to listen to with the help of BPM Create!” AROCK enthusiastically announced, promising that these groundbreaking tracks will soon be available across major digital streaming platforms (DSPs) for a global audience to experience and appreciate the winning productions.

So, who are these dynamic artists who captivated T-Pain and BPM Supreme’s judges? Each winner brings a distinct background and musical identity to the forefront. MAAHEZ is a gifted producer/DJ originating from the vibrant musical hub of Havana, Cuba. His sound is often characterized by a unique blend of global influences and an adventurous spirit, a trait that might be playfully hinted at by his Instagram presence, which often displays a whimsical fondness for extra-terrestrial themes, suggesting an ‘out-of-this-world’ approach to his sonic creations. Next, we have DISTO, who hails from the lush landscapes of Costa Rica. DISTO has already made significant waves in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene, having graced the stages of major festivals such as EDM Las Vegas, EDC Mexico, and Life IN Color, signaling a mastery of high-energy, crowd-pleasing sounds that transcend borders. Finally, nesse -j-, the self-described “synth lord,” originates from the sun-drenched city of San Diego. His approach to music is boldly eclectic, boasting “no genres” and an artistic appreciation for stark black-and-white imagery on his IG page. This suggests a minimalist yet powerful aesthetic that likely translates into experimental and boundary-pushing soundscapes. Together, these three artists represent a diverse and globally-spanning cohort of talent, each poised to leave their unique mark on the music industry.

The art of remixing is far more than simply re-arranging elements of an existing track; it’s about crafting an entirely new narrative, exploring different emotional landscapes, and offering fresh perspectives on a familiar composition. As T-Pain eloquently explained to HollywoodLife at the very inception of the “Wake Up Dead” contest, a song’s remix “tells another side of the story.” He elaborated on this profound idea, stating, “Lyrics tell a story, give a mood, paint a picture — the beat of the song should do the exact same. If you think about a story, there are always 2 sides to it (if not more). The original song can tell one side of the story while the remix tells [the other].” This philosophy underscores the transformative power of a remix; it’s an opportunity for a producer to infuse their unique artistic vision, taking a track in a completely different direction, whether it’s shifting its genre, accelerating its tempo, or introducing an entirely new emotional resonance. In an era where music consumption is increasingly diverse and personalized, remixes play a crucial role in extending a song’s lifespan, exposing it to new audiences, and allowing artists to explore the multifaceted potential inherent in their original compositions. This contest perfectly embodied T-Pain’s vision, demonstrating how MAAHEZ, DISTO, and nesse -j- each found their own compelling “other side of the story” for “Wake Up Dead.”

To further illustrate the immense impact a well-crafted remix can have on a song’s trajectory and an artist’s career, both T-Pain and AROCK enthusiastically pointed to a prime example: Imanbek’s globally successful remix of SAINt JHN’s track “Roses.” This particular remix transcended its original form, catapulting both Imanbek and SAINt JHN into the mainstream consciousness and becoming a ubiquitous hit across radio waves and streaming platforms. AROCK succinctly articulated the phenomenon, stating that this specific remix “shows the power of crossover tracks and how a good remix can make a song blow up.” He highlighted Imanbek’s rapid ascent, noting, “Imanbek is just a young kid from Europe, and now that remix has put him on the map and brought more attention to the original track.” This case study perfectly encapsulates how a fresh interpretation can not only inject new life into an existing song but also launch an emerging producer onto the global stage. It demonstrates that the power of a remix lies in its ability to bridge genres, appeal to diverse demographics, and ultimately elevate the original material to unprecedented levels of recognition, proving that sometimes, the “other side of the story” can become an even bigger sensation.

T-Pain further elaborated on his personal experience with the “Roses” phenomenon, humorously adding, “ ‘Roses’ is super fire. The crazier thing is I heard the remix before I heard the original, so I thought that was the original [laughs].” This anecdote from a seasoned industry veteran like T-Pain underscores the profound impact a successful remix can have, sometimes even overshadowing the original in initial public perception. It’s a testament to the remix’s ability to stand as a distinct and powerful artistic creation in its own right. He quickly clarified his appreciation for both versions, however, stating, “I mean, that being said, I thought the original was great as well. They just give you two different feels, so it really depends on what type of mood you want to be in.” This insight perfectly aligns with his philosophy of remixes telling “another side of the story.” It highlights that both the original and the remix can coexist harmoniously, catering to different tastes, moods, and listening experiences. The ultimate goal isn’t to replace the original, but to expand its universe, offering listeners more ways to connect with a track. The “Wake Up Dead” Remix Contest, powered by T-Pain and BPM Supreme’s BPM Create, has undeniably succeeded in identifying new talents capable of delivering just such compelling and transformative musical narratives, solidifying the vital role of remixes in contemporary music culture.