Yellow Claw

Amsterdam trio Yellow Claw take the over-the-top attitude of stadium techno acts like Scooter, mix it with the profanity-laced party style of Dada Life, then filter it all through the cutting-edge dance styles of trap and neo-electro. The group began as a club night and DJ crew; early recordings appeared on the Spinnin' label, and in 2015 Yellow Claw moved to Mad Decent for their debut full-length Blood for Mercy. Further production LPs followed at a quick rate for a dance act, including Los Amsterdam (2017), New Blood (2018), and Never Dies (2020), including a parade of high-profile guest artists including DJ Snake, Pusha T, A$AP Ferg, Quavo, Tinie Tempah, Mustard, and San Holo, among many others. Formed in 2010 by DJs Jim Aasgier, MC Bizzey, and Nils, Yellow Claw made their name by hosting parties at the Jimmy Woo club in Amsterdam. Their vibrant, campy style spread in 2011 with weekly Yellow Claw parties launched in the cities of Leeuwarden and Breda, while downloads of productions and remixes spread the word online. In 2013, they released their single “Shotgun” on the Spinnin' label, while two EPs, Amsterdam Trap Music and Amsterdam Twerk Music, launched their relationship with the Mad Decent imprint Jeffree's. Featuring a guest appearance from Waka Flocka Flame, Amsterdam Trap Music, Vol. 2 followed on the label in 2014 and coincided with the launch of the group’s streetwear clothing line, Blood for Mercy. A year later, the brand’s name became the title of Yellow Claw’s next LP as Blood for Mercy — released by Mad Decent proper — climbed into the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album featured guest appearances from Pusha T, DJ Mustard, and Flux Pavilion. In March 2017, Yellow Claw released Los Amsterdam (another full-length release for Mad Decent), which included the singles “Open,” “Good Day,” and “Love & War.” A collaborative single with STORi, “Both of Us,” was issued later that year. Throughout the first part of 2018, the duo released a steady diet of singles including the Valentina-assisted “Villain” and the San Holo collaboration “Summertime” in advance of their third album New Blood, which arrived in June. The set recruited additional guests DJ Snake, A$AP Ferg, Sofia Reyes, and more. In 2019, the duo issued Danger Days, a short effort that included the tracks “Give It to Me” with Nonsens and “Break of Dawn” with Stoltenhoff. Fourth LP Never Dies arrived early in 2020, including features for Offset, Tinashe, and Saweetie. ~ David Jeffries