4B Breaks Down The Cultural Roots Behind “WHAT IS THIS”

4B’s(@dj4b) “WHAT IS THIS” marks his debut on Zeds Dead’s Deadbeats label, and it finds him pushing further into dubstep without disconnecting from the Jersey Club foundation that shaped his entire approach.

The New Jersey producer has spent more than a decade bringing that local rhythm language into larger electronic spaces, from festival stages to remixes and collaborations that helped define the high-energy side of his catalog. On this new single, that history is still present, even as the basslines hit harder and the arrangement points toward a new chapter.

That balance between evolution and memory sits at the center of the track. “WHAT IS THIS” uses heavy drops, slamming drums, playful vocal moments, and a Jersey Club switch-up to connect what 4B has always done with where he wants the sound to go next. It is a Deadbeats release with clear bass music instincts, though the record still carries the bounce, pressure, and cultural reference points that have made his work identifiable over time.

In the interview below, 4B talks about first discovering Jersey Club around 2007 and 2008, digging through LimeWire for remixes, and tracing the roots of the sound by hunting for records long before everything was indexed on streaming platforms.

He also gets into what DJs owe to the histories behind the music they play, why trend-chasing is easy to spot, and how preserving cultural memory can help modern DJ culture move forward without cutting itself off from its roots.

Interview With 4B

When did you first start digging into the history of the genres you play?

Around 2007 and 2008, I was introduced to Jersey Club music. Once I fell in love with it, I became obsessed with finding every Jersey Club remix I could get my hands on.

Back then, that meant spending hours on LimeWire digging through tracks and discovering the roots of the sound.

How do you balance honoring the tradition and history of the music on your USBs while still pushing your own sound forward?

My sound is a direct product of the artists and genres that came before me. Everything I create is influenced by the music that shaped my taste and inspired me as a producer and DJ.

I think the best way to honor the past is to build on it and contribute something new to the conversation.

Are there moments where you have been involved with something that felt bigger than music and felt like you were pushing the culture of club music forward in a positive direction?

One of the things I am most proud of is creating a sound that is uniquely my own. Hearing someone say, “That sounds like 4B,” is incredibly special because developing a recognizable identity is one of the hardest things to accomplish as an artist.

I have always represented New Jersey through both my productions and my live sets, and helping bring that culture to a global audience has always felt like something bigger than myself.

What role do you think DJs should play in preserving the cultural memory of what came before?

Whenever there is an opportunity to educate people about the history of the music and the culture, I think it is important to do so.

I am fortunate to be where I am today because of countless artists, DJs, promoters, and pioneers who paved the way before me. Respecting and acknowledging that history is something we should all take seriously.

Do you feel like enough people in the scene are doing the work to understand where the music on their sticks comes from?

I believe the people who genuinely put in the work to understand the culture and history will always be recognized. It is usually pretty easy to spot the trend-chasers.

The artists who are connected to the roots of the music tend to have a deeper passion and authenticity, and I think fans naturally recognize and respond to that.