Fortnite Dubs & Festival Stages: The Greatest KAUSE There Ever Was

He’s dropping dubs in Fortnite with fast hands and zero hesitation in one universe. In another, he’s behind the decks at Freaky Deaky, where the bass cannon is locked and loaded. San Antonio’s own KAUSE is a rising force in bass music - fueled by instinct, sharpened by hustle, and driven by a love for chaos and creativity. And at ILLFest 2025, he’s set to level up once again.

The first time KAUSE heard his track explode through a festival sound system, he was deep in the crowd, not behind the decks. That moment hit different. “EDC and Bass Canyon were the first festivals I ever attended,” he recalls. “To hear my song played there felt insane.”

Since then, his sound has been weaponized by heavy hitters like ATLiens, LAYZ, Riot Ten, and more, dropping like sonic grenades at EDC, Bass Canyon, and Ultra Miami. With tracks like “Bad Intentions” and “Bodied” released on Excision’s Subsidia label - a seal of approval in the bass scene - KAUSE has earned his backstage pass and community respect. His catalog also spans labels tied to Jessica Audiffred and Bear Grillz, with standout tracks racking up over 100,000 plays. 

Over the last year, KAUSE has torn through a whirlwind of live sets, opening for bass behemoths like Subtronics and KAYZO. He’s played massive rooms, elbow-to-elbow with fans throwing down to every drop. His name blazed across the Freaky Deaky lineup not once, but twice - 2023 and 2024 -etched beside legends.

Most recently, KAUSE hit the road with Jessica Audiffred’s tour, graduating from regional up-and-comer to national act. In cities like Denver and Minneapolis, he’s headlined rooms that pulse with raw energy. “It means everything,” he says. “I’ve met some amazing fans along the way. It reminds me to never take anything for granted and live in the moment.”

KAUSE will step onto the ILLFest stage as a fan and featured artist in just two weeks, completing a personal full-circle journey. “My first ILLFest was for my birthday,” he says. “I fell in love with the festival. I’ve always wanted to play it.” He plans to bring USBs full of exclusive edits and a headspace shaped by years of grind. “I hope I leave an influence on new listeners and maybe even get to connect with them after my set,” he says. “That’s what it’s all about!”

KAUSE didn’t learn music from music theory books or classroom lectures - he learned by listening. His creative compass is internal, guided by feel, not formulas. “Artists have inspired me before starting my dubstep journey,” he explains. “Although it’s been fun, I want to push myself further.” That push is already happening. 

Lately, dubstep’s familiar crunch hasn’t hit quite the same. “I’m tired of dubstep,” KAUSE said bluntly. “This project is about making whatever I like.” That freedom fuels a new creative phase - genre-fluid, boundary-free, and wildly authentic. “I’m excited to see where it goes, and I hope my fan base enjoys the transition.

When the strobes fade and the subwoofers go silent, KAUSE is still chasing adrenaline - at the gym or in a Fortnite lobby. “The gym keeps me in shape and Fortnite helps me unwind at the end of the day,” he says. “I’m also in nursing school, so finding a balance in everything makes it all worth it.” That discipline - equal part physical, mental, and creative - is key to his evolution. 

Whether it’s leveling up in Fortnite or delivering genre-bending sets on festival stages, KAUSE is writing his code. From spinning eclectic playlists as a San Antonio kid to hearing his tracks shake the crowd at Ultra or EDC, he’s already gone further than he imagined. But the journey isn't done. When he hits ILLFest - don’t blink. He might spawn a whole new level.