YDG spoke with EDM Identity following a packed EDC Las Vegas week that saw him perform at both Camp EDC and the bass POD stage on Saturday, reflecting on his career trajectory and offering a look at what lies ahead for his music.
The artist, whose stage name stands for Youth, Death, and Glory, described the honor of returning to EDC Las Vegas in back-to-back years, with this edition marking the festival’s 30th anniversary. When asked what sets the Las Vegas installment apart from other editions, he pointed to sheer scale. „It’s got to be the size, it’s way bigger,“ he said. „I think that nothing could really beat Vegas, being here at the Speedway. Something about it is special.“
YDG also opened up about a deliberate shift in his creative direction over the past two and a half years, moving away from heavier material toward music that balances emotional resonance with energy on the dancefloor. „I wanted to make music where people can feel something, but also not be super emotional or nothing sad,“ he explained. „I want people to dance and have fun while feeling something.“ He identified powerful vocals and meaningful lyrics as central to where he sees his sound heading.
Reflecting on nearly a decade in the industry, YDG noted that his most significant growth has come within the last two years, describing the progression from smaller shows to major festival stages as one of the greatest feelings of his career. „I’ve been doing this for maybe ten years already, and just now, within the last two years, I’ve been really seeing it grow,“ he said. He acknowledged that timelines vary widely for artists finding their footing, adding that persistence is the common thread. „Just as long as you never give up and keep going, it will eventually happen. Your dreams really do come true.“
For aspiring DJs and producers, YDG kept his advice grounded and direct: stay focused on your own path rather than measuring progress against others, and create music driven by personal conviction rather than external validation. „Do it for yourself, don’t do it for anybody else,“ he said. „Always just know that it’s going to happen.“
Looking ahead, YDG confirmed that the remainder of 2026 will be focused on releasing new music, with plans to begin work on his debut album in early 2027. He described the project as a first for him and framed it as an opportunity to make a definitive statement about the direction he wants his career to take. No further details about the album or its release timeline were shared.
Source: EDM Identity
