Brazilian-born producer Rafa Drummond turns up the energy with ‘BIG NRG’, a groove-driven Tech House release on UFO Recordz. Backed by industry recognition and support from Spinnin’ Records and Head Music Studios, the rising producer brings his signature sound to the forefront.
In this exclusive interview, Rafa Drummond takes us behind the music, sharing the inspiration, creative process, and story behind ‘BIG NRG’, while offering insight into his journey as a producer and his vision for the future of electronic music.
Brazilian-born DJ and producer Rafa Drummond makes his mark on UFO Recordz with his latest release, “BIG NRG,” which arrived on 16 October 2026. Driven by punchy basslines, rolling rhythms and the unmistakable pulse of underground Tech House, the track captures the intensity of the club scene and delivers a sound built for those after-dark moments on the dancefloor.
Combining a powerful low-end foundation with a hypnotic, infectious rhythm, “BIG NRG” brings an unapologetically energetic approach to club music. Its dancefloor-ready production makes it a natural fit for both intimate underground venues and larger club environments. Further recognition comes through Spotify playlist support from Spinnin’ Records and Head Music Studios, helping shine an even brighter spotlight on this latest release.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
1. Your latest release, “BIG NRG,” on UFO Recordz is driven by heavy bass and a groove-focused Tech House sound. What was the initial inspiration behind the track, and how did the idea develop in the studio?
The whole idea started with the bassline, which is a little more groovy than your average heavy tech house/bass house track. After that, I layered those metallic-sounding synths when the drop hits to make it heavy and developed the idea from there.
2. The title “BIG NRG” suggests a record built around energy and movement. When you were producing it, did you have a particular dancefloor moment or type of DJ set in mind?
Pretty much all of my tracks are meant to be played at peak hours, with very few exceptions. The name of the track tells you all you need to know about its vibe and energy and the breakbeat during the second break helps keep the high energy where most tracks would lose its drop energy.
3. The track has received Spotify support from Spinnin’ Records and Head Music Studios. How important is this kind of support for an independent producer, and has it helped introduce your music to a new audience?
This type of support is super helpful for producers who are still trying to achieve a big breakthrough. My Spotify monthly listeners went from 14 to 399 in a couple of weeks. UFO Recordz has done a great job promoting this track and I’m fortunate to have had their help with this release.
4. You describe your sound as a blend of hypnotic grooves and darker, atmospheric textures. How do you balance those elements while keeping your productions effective on the dancefloor?
For me, the groove comes first. The kick, bass, and drums need to work together and make you want to move, even before the atmospheric elements come in. Then I use those darker textures to give the track its character and build tension. Sometimes a small, unsettling sound sitting in the background can do more than a big lead.
5. You were born in Brazil and are now based in the United States. How have these different cultural environments influenced your musical identity and the way you approach electronic music?
Living in the United States has made a big impact on how I hear and produce electronic music. The scene here is much bigger and broader, with many more genres and subgenres. The Brazilian influence comes in when making the groove and adding smaller elements. I don’t use a lot of Brazilian-inspired samples and sounds but it’s not something I’m opposed to doing in the future.
6. Your productions move across different shades of house rather than staying within one specific lane. Have you always approached music this way, or has your sound evolved towards a more genre-bending direction over time?
I’ve had this mentality since I started producing back in 2015. Back then, genres were way more defined and most producers would only produce one genre. While I see the appeal in doing so, I’ve always thought that to be limiting. We all enjoy many different genres, so why get stuck on producing only 1?
7. Looking back at your career so far, what has been the most significant milestone in your development as a producer, and what did that experience teach you about the music industry?
I’d say it was when I started putting music out regularly. Before that, it was easy to keep going back to a track and changing things, always thinking it needed something else. Releasing more often forced me to make decisions and let things go. I learned a lot from that, both about production and about the kind of music I actually wanted to make.
8. Underground house music continues to evolve, with new sounds and production trends emerging all the time. How do you stay true to your own identity while keeping your music fresh and relevant?
Music in general will always continue to evolve. All artists, regardless of genre, can either adapt to it or stay true to their roots. I don’t see a problem with either one. For me, I’ll always keep the same energy with heavy elements while adding newer sounds to experiment. Experimenting is key.
9. When you are not working on your own productions, what music are you listening to, and are there any artists, labels or genres currently influencing the direction of your sound?
I mostly listen to tech house, bass house and techno. I do stray from these genres a little when I’m trying to listen to calmer, more melodic stuff. Currently, I think a few of my favorite producers are Discip, Roddy Lima, Departamento, Matroda, Chris Lake, Ayybo, MEDUZA, among many others. When it comes to labels, I’d say Black Book, Catch and Release, Terminal Underground, AETERNA and AEDEN would be my biggest influences.
10. Following the release of “BIG NRG,” what can we expect from Rafa Drummond next? Are you planning to explore new sounds, collaborate with other artists, or take your music in a different direction in the coming months?
I’m always open to collabs, so that’s never out of the picture. My objective for the unforeseen future is putting out more music while exploring different styles and sounds. The only direction I’m going is forward and I’ve got no breaks.
Ends….
With this latest release, Rafa Drummond brings another dose of underground pressure to UFO Recordz. “BIG NRG” keeps things focused on what matters: a commanding bassline, a solid groove and the kind of energy that belongs on a sound system.
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Rafa Drummond – BIG NRG is out now!
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