Borgore took unconventional path to dubstep notoriety

By Sean Kelly

Borgore ruined dubstep.

This is the popular refrain of his critics.

Ruined is a strong statement, but there is no doubt Asaf Borger (better known by his stage name Borgore) changed dubstep forever. His offensive sent shockwaves through the electronic community, but it was his ability to push the boundaries of the genre that garnered more attention.

Borgore’s music has no real genre. Yes it is EDM, but it incorporates his own lyrics that overlay aspects of trap, house, hip-hop and metal.

Listening to his music, it comes as a surprise where Borgore began his music career.

The musician, 27, attended one of Tel Aviv’s premiere music academies in Israel, where he was trained in classical music and jazz as a saxophone player.

“In Tel Aviv, there is one of the best high schools in the world for music,” Borgore said. “…I’m very thankful that I grew up in Israel in that high school, learning contemporary music to a whole new level.”

Borgore attributes much of his talent to his early musical training. By learning the basics, he said he learned how to create a unique sound that was truly his own.

“If you only know four-cord progression tunes, you’re not going to become a great musician,” he said, adding that, “you gotta know how to do a portrait before you can become [Jackson] Pollack.”

Borgore’s musical influences cover vast territory. In his earlier years, he was the drummer of the Israeli death-metal band Shabira. And while discussing the music he grew up listening to, Borgore named musicians from nearly every genre, from Britney Spears to Lamb of God, the Backstreet Boys to Blink 82, Sum 41 and countless more.

“I was always open to everything,” Borgore said. “I love everything.”

Eventually Borgore discovered EDM.

“Growing up in Israel, there was [a group of people] who were very big on trance,” he said. “But at the same time, there was very underground, hipster-minimal house, drum and bass — and we called it IDM, intelligent dance music. I entered the whole electronic scene early.”

From there Borgore moved to Los Angeles and began to “ruin dubstep,” as the critics say. The musician embraced the image by naming his 2010 album Borgore Ruined Dubstep, released under his own label, Buygore. Much of the criticism has come from the controversy surrounding his lyrics, which have been labeled as misogynistic.

In an interview with the Colorado Daily, Borgore brushed the criticism aside. He said that throughout his life, he has been surround by powerful women in his family and on his music team. He said that overall, he embraces the criticism and he’ll be more worried when critics stop talking about him.

Catch Borgore live at the Fox Tuesday or Wednesday at the Ogden Theater in Denver.