The evolution of GORDO, formerly known as Carnage, represents one of the most fascinating transformations in electronic dance music history. Diamanté Anthony Blackmon was born in Washington, D.C. to Nicaraguan parents and was raised by his mother and aunt in Guatemala before returning to the United States at the age of 10. His journey from trap music pioneer to house music innovator has produced an incredible catalog of songs that have shaped the global dance music landscape. From working with Drake on multiple projects to releasing his deeply personal debut album DIAMANTE in 2024, GORDO has consistently pushed boundaries and redefined what’s possible in electronic music.
Sideways (feat. Drake)
The collaboration between GORDO and Drake titled “Sideways” was teased by Keinemusik during their performance at Brooklyn Mirage in New York. This track represents the culmination of years of friendship and musical chemistry between the two artists. GORDO produced six tracks on Drake’s house music-infused album “Honestly, Nevermind” and two on “For All The Dogs” album, making their official collaboration on “Sideways” a natural progression. The track seamlessly blends Drake’s melodic sensibilities with GORDO’s signature tech-house production, creating a dancefloor anthem that bridges hip-hop and electronic music.
Hombres y Mujeres (feat. Feid)
The hypnotic “Hombres y Mujeres” featuring Colombian superstar Feid has amassed over 70 million streams. This track stands as one of GORDO’s most successful Latin collaborations, gaining massive traction in Latin American and Spanish markets. The single gained momentum ahead of GORDO’s largest South American DJ tour ever, during which he toured 25 Latin American cities in 15 different countries from December 2023 to March 2024. The production showcases GORDO’s ability to blend reggaeton rhythms with pulsating house beats, creating a crossover hit that resonates across multiple demographics and demonstrates his deep connection to his Nicaraguan-American roots.
Kill For This Shit (feat. Young Dolph)
On “Kill For This Shit” with vocals from the late Young Dolph, GORDO delivers a bustling house banger with bursting basslines and upbeat percussion, adding dancefloor energy to the Memphis rap anthem. This posthumous collaboration pays tribute to Young Dolph’s legacy while showcasing GORDO’s ability to transform hip-hop vocals into festival-ready house music. The track demonstrates his technical prowess in production, layering intricate percussion patterns beneath Young Dolph’s commanding presence. Released as part of the DIAMANTE album in 2024, this song has become a staple in GORDO’s live sets and represents the perfect marriage between underground house music and mainstream hip-hop appeal.
Parcera (feat. Maluma)
GORDO is best known for “Parcera” with Maluma along with other collaborations. This collaboration with the Colombian reggaeton superstar showcases GORDO’s ability to work with Latin music’s biggest names while maintaining his house music identity. The track incorporates traditional Latin percussion alongside driving four-on-the-floor beats, creating a hybrid sound that feels both authentic to its cultural roots and forward-thinking in its electronic production. The song has become a anthem in Latin American clubs and demonstrates GORDO’s commitment to representing his Hispanic heritage through his music, making it one of his most culturally significant releases.
I Like Tuh (feat. ILoveMakonnen)
“I Like Tuh” with ILoveMakonnen received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This 2015 single served as the lead track from his debut album Papi Gordo and became one of his most commercially successful releases under the Carnage moniker. The track features ILoveMakonnen’s distinctive melodic approach over GORDO’s hard-hitting trap production, creating an infectious club anthem that dominated both mainstream radio and underground dance floors. Its success helped establish GORDO as a crossover artist capable of bridging the gap between electronic music and hip-hop, paving the way for countless similar collaborations in the years that followed.
Incredible (feat. Borgore)
“Incredible” with Borgore was followed by other successful releases in 2015. This explosive electro house collaboration became an instant festival anthem with its aggressive basslines and energetic drops. The partnership between GORDO and Borgore brought together two of EDM’s most innovative producers, resulting in a track that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in mainstage electronic music. The song’s relentless energy and technical production quality made it a staple at major festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival, cementing both artists’ reputations as powerhouse producers in the global EDM scene.
Toca (feat. Timmy Trumpet & KSHMR)
“Toca” with KSHMR was released through the EDM-based record label Ultra Music in 2015. This three-way collaboration brought together some of the most talented producers in electronic music to create a track that combined tribal rhythms with modern festival house production. The song features distinctive trumpet melodies from Timmy Trumpet alongside KSHMR’s signature melodic elements and GORDO’s hard-hitting percussion. “Toca” represents the peak of mid-2010s festival EDM, with its dramatic build-ups and massive drops designed to energize crowds at the world’s biggest dance music events.
Bricks (feat. Migos)
In 2014, he signed with Ultra Records and released “Bricks,” a collaboration with Migos. This groundbreaking track was one of the first major collaborations between an EDM producer and the Atlanta rap trio, predating the current wave of trap and hip-hop-influenced electronic music. The song’s heavy bass and trap-influenced production paired perfectly with Migos’ signature triplet flow, creating a blueprint for future hip-hop and EDM crossovers. “Bricks” demonstrated GORDO’s forward-thinking approach to production and his ability to identify emerging trends in hip-hop before they became mainstream, establishing him as an innovator in the genre-blending movement.
Cafecito (feat. Nicki Nicole & Sech)
Cafecito represents GORDO’s continued exploration of Latin sounds within the house music framework, featuring rising Argentine star Nicki Nicole and Panamanian artist Sech. This 2024 release from the DIAMANTE album showcases a more melodic and romantic side of GORDO’s production style. The track incorporates smooth Latin guitar samples alongside shuffling house rhythms, creating a laid-back yet danceable vibe that translates perfectly from beach clubs to nighttime dance floors. The collaboration highlights GORDO’s commitment to featuring both established and emerging Latin artists, providing a platform for diverse voices within the electronic music landscape.
Candid Zone (feat. Leon Bridges)
“Candid Zone” with Leon Bridges merges R&B and house. This unexpected collaboration brings together the soulful vocals of Grammy-winning artist Leon Bridges with GORDO’s sophisticated house production. The track represents one of the most musically adventurous moments on the DIAMANTE album, blending elements of soul, R&B, and deep house into a cohesive and emotionally resonant piece. Leon Bridges’ smooth vocal delivery sits perfectly atop GORDO’s warm, groove-oriented production, creating a track that feels equally at home in a late-night club set or as part of a more introspective listening experience.
Guard Down (feat. &ME)
The opening track “Guard Down” features &ME along with stellar vocals from Alice Aera. As the opening statement of the DIAMANTE album, this track sets the tone for GORDO’s most personal and ambitious project to date. GORDO explained that he loves playing with the pitch of vocals, noting that the different pitches in Alice’s voice even come together at one point on “Guard Down”. The collaboration with &ME, one-third of the respected Keinemusik collective, demonstrates GORDO’s deep respect for underground house music and his desire to bridge the gap between underground and mainstream electronic music scenes.
Take Control
The needle drops on “Take Control” showcasing tracks that are simultaneously ready for festival main stages around the world while still highlighting the nuanced and technical production for which the lauded producer is known. This solo production from GORDO demonstrates his growth as a producer and his ability to create peak-time anthems without relying on guest features. The track builds gradually, incorporating layers of percussion and synth work that create a hypnotic and driving atmosphere. Its technical sophistication and dancefloor effectiveness have made it a highlight of GORDO’s live performances, showcasing his maturation from his early Carnage days to his current status as a respected house music producer.
WDYM (feat. Karolina Falk)
“WDYM” featuring Karolina Falk represents tracks that are ready for festival main stages while highlighting nuanced and technical production. The collaboration with singer Karolina Falk brings a vocal-driven energy to GORDO’s production, creating a track that balances accessibility with underground credibility. The song’s infectious melody and driving bassline make it an instant crowd-pleaser, while its sophisticated production elements satisfy more discerning electronic music fans. As one of the standout tracks from DIAMANTE, “WDYM” showcases GORDO’s ability to create music that works both in massive festival settings and intimate club environments.
El Mas Chingon (feat. El Alfa)
GORDO is best known for “El Mas Chingon” with El Alfa. This high-energy collaboration with Dominican dembow artist El Alfa represents GORDO’s deep dive into Caribbean rhythms and Latin urban music. The track combines El Alfa’s rapid-fire vocal delivery with GORDO’s pounding house production, creating a hybrid that appeals to fans of both reggaeton and electronic music. The song’s title, which translates roughly to “The Best” or “The Baddest,” reflects the confidence and swagger that both artists bring to the collaboration. Its success in Latin American markets has helped establish GORDO as a serious player in the Latin electronic music scene.
Easier (feat. Rampa)
The tease of “Easier” with Rampa during GORDO’s performance at Hï Ibiza brings the song even closer to the dancefloor. This collaboration with Rampa, another member of the Keinemusik collective, represents GORDO’s commitment to working with respected underground house music producers. The track features the deep, groovy sound that Rampa is known for, filtered through GORDO’s more energetic production style. The result is a perfect balance between underground sensibilities and peak-time energy, making it a favorite among both underground house music purists and festival-going audiences who appreciate sophisticated production.
Target (feat. T-Pain)
“Target” is all about T-Pain, with GORDO noting that this collaboration started a long time ago and took on many forms before reaching its final version. This track represents one of the most unexpected collaborations on the DIAMANTE album, bringing together T-Pain’s Auto-Tune-influenced vocals with GORDO’s house production. The song showcases T-Pain’s versatility as a vocalist, adapting his signature sound to fit within a dance music context. GORDO’s production provides the perfect backdrop for T-Pain’s melodic experimentation, creating a track that feels both nostalgic and contemporary, bridging the gap between mid-2000s hip-hop and modern house music.
Lake Como (feat. Larry June)
Californian rapper Larry June is featured on “Lake Como” which has a subtle but powerful effect on a dance album. This collaboration brings Larry June’s laid-back, luxury-focused rap style to GORDO’s sophisticated house production. The track evokes the feeling of its namesake Italian destination, with lush production elements and a relaxed groove that suggests Mediterranean elegance and refinement. Larry June’s smooth delivery complements GORDO’s understated yet effective production, creating a track that stands out on the DIAMANTE album for its restraint and tasteful execution.
NENE (feat. Fuerza Regida)
The collaboration with Mexican regional music group Fuerza Regida represents one of GORDO’s most culturally significant recent releases. NENE blends traditional Mexican banda and norteño elements with modern house production, creating a completely unique sound that honors both genres while creating something entirely new. GORDO noted that “NENE” with Fuerza Regida was a last-minute addition to the album. The track demonstrates GORDO’s deep understanding of his Latin American heritage and his ability to respectfully incorporate traditional musical elements into contemporary electronic music, making it one of the most innovative tracks in his catalog.
Honeyland (feat. Afshin Momadi)
This ethereal collaboration showcases GORDO’s more atmospheric production style, featuring the production contributions of Afshin Momadi. Honeyland creates a dreamlike sonic landscape that provides a moment of respite within the high-energy DIAMANTE album. The track’s lush pads and hypnotic melodies demonstrate GORDO’s growth as a producer capable of creating emotionally resonant music that extends beyond peak-time club bangers. Its inclusion on the album shows GORDO’s commitment to dynamic range and emotional depth in his music, proving he’s not just a DJ who makes people dance but an artist crafting complete musical experiences.
Aura (feat. NTO)
“Aura” featuring NTO is the last song on the DIAMANTE record. As the closing track of GORDO’s debut album, this collaboration with French producer NTO serves as a heartfelt tribute to his grandmother. GORDO dedicated the DIAMANTE album to his grandmother, who was his best friend during the pandemic when they lived together in Hawaii. The track’s emotional depth and melodic beauty provide a poignant conclusion to the album’s journey, leaving listeners with a sense of reflection and emotional resolution. Its placement as the final track demonstrates GORDO’s understanding of album sequencing and narrative arc.
The Underground (feat. Alvaro)
His 2014 single “The Underground” with Alvaro reached the 4th spot on Beatport’s Top 100 list. This early collaboration established GORDO’s credibility within the electronic music production community and on digital music platforms. The track’s aggressive big room sound was characteristic of the mid-2010s EDM boom, featuring massive drops and festival-ready energy. Its commercial and critical success on Beatport, the primary digital music store for electronic music, validated GORDO’s production skills and helped launch his career to new heights, proving he could compete with the biggest names in EDM.
Taraka
He released his second single under the Gordo alias “Taraka” in September 2021, which was also namesake of his hosted-event series. This track represents GORDO’s rebranding and his commitment to underground house and techno music. The song became the anthem for his TARAKA event series, which features underground artists, extended sets, and surprise guests handpicked by GORDO himself. The track’s driving techno rhythms and hypnotic production elements marked a clear departure from his earlier Carnage sound, signaling his evolution as an artist and his dedication to the house and techno scenes that have embraced his new direction.
KTM
He released “KTM,” his first single under the Gordo name, in February 2021. This track marked GORDO’s official entry into the house music world and his departure from the Carnage identity. Named after the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, KTM features a driving tech-house groove with industrial undertones that suggest speed and power. The track’s minimal yet effective production showcased a new maturity in GORDO’s work, focusing on groove and rhythm rather than massive drops and festival pyrotechnics. Its release signaled the beginning of a new chapter in his career that would ultimately lead to his work with Drake and his critically acclaimed DIAMANTE album.
Psy or Die
This collaboration with PSY or DIE from 2016 represents GORDO’s peak Carnage era, showcasing the aggressive trap and bass music sound that made him famous in the mid-2010s. The track features earth-shaking bass, aggressive synth work, and the kind of festival-ready production that dominated mainstage EDM during this period. While stylistically different from his current GORDO sound, this track remains an important part of his discography and demonstrates his versatility as a producer. For understanding the complete picture of GORDO’s evolution as an artist, you can explore various headphones options to experience the full depth of his production techniques.
Guala (with Step Brothers)
This 2017 collaboration with Step Brothers showcases GORDO’s continued exploration of hip-hop and electronic fusion during his Carnage years. The track combines trap-influenced production with electronic elements, creating a sound that was simultaneously club-ready and radio-friendly. Its success helped maintain GORDO’s relevance during his transition period and demonstrated his ability to create commercial hits while maintaining artistic credibility. The song’s production techniques have influenced countless producers in the trap and bass music scenes, cementing GORDO’s legacy as an innovator in electronic music production.
Mase in ’97 (feat. Lil Yachty)
This 2016 collaboration with Lil Yachty brought together two rising stars in their respective genres. The track samples elements that evoke the golden era of hip-hop while incorporating modern trap and EDM production techniques. Lil Yachty’s melodic rap style pairs perfectly with GORDO’s dynamic production, creating a nostalgic yet contemporary sound. The song’s title references rapper Mase’s breakout year, paying homage to hip-hop history while creating something entirely new. Its success helped establish both artists as forward-thinking collaborators willing to push genre boundaries and experiment with unconventional sonic combinations. When enjoying tracks like this with quality earbuds, the intricate production details become even more apparent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is GORDO and why did he change his name from Carnage?
GORDO, born Diamanté Anthony Blackmon, rebranded from Carnage to GORDO in 2022 to reflect his artistic evolution and shift in musical focus. The name change represented his transition from trap and bass music to house and techno, marking a new chapter in his career that emphasized underground credibility and artistic maturity. During the pandemic, while living in Hawaii with his grandmother, he developed the GORDO identity and began working on the music that would eventually become his debut album DIAMANTE, dedicating the project to his family and loved ones who supported his transformation.
What is GORDO’s DIAMANTE album about?
The DIAMANTE album is GORDO’s deeply personal debut project that reconnects with his Nicaraguan-American roots and represents his musical evolution. Released on July 26, 2024, through Ultra Records, the album features 16 tracks with collaborations from Drake, Fuerza Regida, Leon Bridges, T-Pain, Maluma, and others, blending electronic dance music with hip-hop, pop, reggaeton, indie, and jazz influences. The album took over four years and approximately 20,000 hours to create, with every song receiving approval from his grandmother, to whom he dedicated the project as a tribute to her inspiration and support during their time together in Hawaii during the pandemic.
What are GORDO’s most successful collaborations?
GORDO’s most successful collaborations include “Hombres y Mujeres” with Feid, which has garnered over 70 million streams, and “I Like Tuh” with ILoveMakonnen, which received RIAA gold certification. His work with Drake has been particularly significant, producing six tracks on “Honestly, Nevermind” and two tracks on “For All The Dogs,” including their official collaboration “Sideways” from the DIAMANTE album. Other notable partnerships include “Parcera” with Maluma, “El Mas Chingon” with El Alfa, and various tracks with underground house music producers like &ME, Rampa, and NTO, demonstrating his ability to bridge mainstream appeal with underground credibility.
How did GORDO get into music production?
GORDO began his musical journey at age 16, playing in small clubs in his hometown of Frederick, Maryland, after immigrating to the United States from Guatemala at age 10. He started producing music under the name Carnage in 2012, gaining initial recognition by posting tracks on YouTube and collaborating with emerging artists like G-Eazy. His breakthrough came through performances at major festivals such as Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival, which helped establish his reputation in the EDM scene. His transformation into GORDO began during the pandemic when he moved to Hawaii with his grandmother, using that introspective period to develop his house music production skills and create the foundation for his current artistic direction.
What makes GORDO’s production style unique?
GORDO’s production style stands out for its ability to seamlessly blend multiple genres while maintaining dancefloor effectiveness and technical sophistication. His work incorporates elements of house, techno, hip-hop, reggaeton, and traditional Latin music, creating a signature sound that appeals to both underground house music enthusiasts and mainstream audiences. He’s particularly skilled at working with vocal pitching and manipulation, layering intricate percussion patterns, and creating tracks that work equally well on festival main stages and intimate club settings. His evolution from aggressive trap and EDM under the Carnage moniker to the more refined house and techno sound of GORDO demonstrates his versatility and commitment to artistic growth.
What is the TARAKA event series?
TARAKA is GORDO’s curated event series that has appeared in various locations across Europe and North America, named after his 2021 single of the same name. The events feature underground artists, extended DJ sets, and surprise guests handpicked by GORDO himself, creating an intimate and authentic house music experience. TARAKA has become synonymous with GORDO’s commitment to supporting underground electronic music and providing a platform for emerging artists alongside established names. The series represents his dedication to the house and techno community and his desire to create meaningful musical experiences that go beyond typical commercial club events.
How has GORDO influenced modern electronic music?
GORDO has significantly influenced modern electronic music through his pioneering work in blending hip-hop with EDM during his Carnage years and his current work bridging underground house music with mainstream appeal. His early collaborations with rappers like Migos on “Bricks” helped establish the template for the trap-EDM fusion that dominated the mid-2010s. His production work on Drake’s house music albums “Honestly, Nevermind” and “For All The Dogs” introduced millions of hip-hop fans to house music, contributing to the genre’s current mainstream resurgence. His ability to incorporate Latin music elements into house productions has also inspired a new generation of producers to explore their cultural heritage within electronic music contexts.