Tape B Success Story: How a Turkish Immigrant Became a Dubstep Superstar

In the high-energy world of bass music and dubstep, few stories capture the essence of the American Dream quite like that of Tape B (real name Kemal Berk Alkanat). Born in Istanbul, Turkey, and immigrating to the United States at just three years old, Tape B transformed personal pressure, nostalgia, and raw talent into a meteoric rise in the electronic music scene. Today, as a headlining act at major festivals and a collaborator with legends like Zeds Dead and Juicy J, his journey from immigrant roots to bass music superstar is nothing short of inspiring. Tape B Success Story!

Tape B Success Story

Early Life: The Immigrant Experience and the Weight of the American Dream

Kemal Berk Alkanat was born on August 16, 1997, in Istanbul. His family moved to the U.S. when he was a toddler, settling in Florida. As a first-generation immigrant, Alkanat felt the classic pressure to succeed and make his parents proud—often described as carrying the weight of the "American Dream" on his young shoulders.

Growing up, his parents primarily listened to Turkish music, but Alkanat discovered American hip-hop and early electronic sounds through friends and online platforms. He wasn't immediately drawn to music as a career; it wasn't until his freshman year at the University of Central Florida that a friend introduced him to GarageBand. Hooked instantly, he began making beats and remixing favorite tracks with heavy bass.

The name "Tape B" originated from a playful moment: while hotboxing and freestyling with friends, someone joked he should rap and call himself Tape B (inspired by an old cassette tape label). It stuck as his SoundCloud handle, and when he started producing seriously around age 16, he kept it.

The Pandemic Breakthrough: Discovering His Signature Sound

For years, Alkanat produced music without a clear identity for the Tape B project. He experimented but felt stuck, unsure of "what Tape B sounded like." That changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

After a disappointing set in Tampa, he returned home to Boca Raton, Florida, frustrated. Isolated at home, he dove into nostalgia—scrolling through old YouTube channels like UKF for classic dubstep and revisiting the early 2010s hip-hop mixtape era (think Mac Miller, Wiz Khalifa, Rae Sremmurd). The pandemic's slowdown sparked an epiphany: he started flipping nostalgic hip-hop tracks with heavy, dirty bass and old-school dubstep vibes.

That night, he created remixes of classics like Blue Foundation’s “Eyes on Fire,” La Roux’s “In for the Kill,” and others. The blend clicked immediately—his "Old School x New School" style was born. Viral SoundCloud flips (like Mac Miller’s “Loud” and Wiz Khalifa tracks) exploded in popularity, earning support from big names like Zeds Dead, who rinsed his remix of “Collapse.”

This nostalgic, bass-heavy approach resonated deeply with fans craving a return to dubstep's golden era (2010s melodic and wobbly sounds) while pushing modern boundaries.

Rise to Fame: Festivals, Collaborations, and Bass Dominance

Tape B's breakthrough led to rapid growth. Early recognition came from SoundCloud remixes and EPs like Hallow Tapes (2021), Equinox, and A Dose of Nostalgia (2022), which evoked the peak dubstep era.

His live sets—high-energy, genre-blending journeys through hip-hop, trap, and dubstep—earned him spots at major festivals. He debuted at events like Lost Lands (a pivotal 2019 experience that shifted his career), and has since headlined or featured at Lost Lands, Electric Forest, Bonnaroo, Ultra, and more. By 2025-2026, he's touring extensively, with upcoming shows at EDC Thailand, EDC Mexico, Force Fields Festival, and beyond.

Key collaborations include Zeds Dead (ongoing support and joint sets), Juicy J, Subtronics, Ray Volpe, and others. His iconic tag—“Yo Tape B, show ’em how it’s done” (inspired by TroyBoi)—has become a festival chant.

Why Tape B's Story Resonates - Tape B Success Story

Tape B's success isn't just about drops and basslines; it's about authenticity. As a first-generation immigrant, he turned cultural displacement and pressure into creative fuel. His music bridges generations—nostalgia for older fans, fresh innovation for the new wave—while embodying resilience.

From bedroom producer to dubstep superstar, Tape B proves that staying true to your sound (and embracing what you love) can lead to global stages. As he continues evolving, with potential debut albums and more massive tours on the horizon, one thing is clear: this Turkish-American trailblazer is just getting started.

Catch Tape B live if you can—his sets are an unforgettable escape into heavy bass and pure energy. Follow him on socials (@tapebbeats) and stream his flips for your daily dose of "Old School x New School." 🎧