Exclusive Interview: Yellow Claw Reveals the Story Behind “CRUSH” and Their Upcoming Shows

Get ready to dive into the world of electrifying beats and cinematic magic as we chat with Yellow Claw. The Dutch duo, whose explosive sound has been igniting dance floors worldwide for nearly a decade, has made waves in both the music and film industries, with their hit single “CRUSH” setting the stage for one of Nicole Kidman’s most unforgettable moments in the film Babygirl. In this interview, we’ll talk about creative collaborations, their journey from underground legends to global superstars, and the inspiration behind their chart-topping tracks that continue to reshape the future of EDM.

“CRUSH” has become a standout track for Yellow Claw. What was the inspiration behind the song, and how did it come together creatively with Natte Visstick and RHYME?

We had an early demo that we really liked, and we were playing a lot of Vissticks’ tracks in our set. We felt like his hard-hitting sound would be a great fit, so we sent it to him—and he really vibed with it. Later, we linked up in a studio in Amsterdam to merge both of our styles.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Yellow M.F. Claw (@yellowclaw)

The track plays a key role in the rave scene of Babygirl starring Nicole Kidman. What was it like hearing your music become such an iconic part of a major film? How did the collaboration with the Babygirl team come about?

The director is from Amsterdam and a really good friend of ours. She had used some of our music in her previous movie Bodies Bodies Bodies as well. When she told me about this new movie, the plot, and a specific scene, I was like, “Wait, let me send you a song we have.” A track that’s both sexy and could go off at a big rave.

Looking back at the early days of Yellow Claw, how did the journey start for you both? What inspired you to dive into the world of electronic music and form Yellow Claw?

The first time we realized that certain hip-hop and trap songs mixed perfectly, BPM-wise, with early dubstep and old-school hardcore was a game-changer. Our whole style was born in that moment. We were inspired by artists and groups like Rotterdam Terror Corps, Hudson Mohawke, Flux Pavilion, and Waka Flocka, to name a few.

You’ve collaborated with some major names like DJ Snake, A$AP Ferg, and Steve Aoki. Which collaboration has had the biggest impact on your growth as an artist, and why?

Working with visionary producers like DJ Snake, Mustard, and Diplo taught us a lot about decision-making in music. We learned that sometimes, less is more. Just watching these people work was incredibly valuable.

Yellow Claw is known for its high-energy shows. What can fans expect from your upcoming performances, and how do you keep the energy fresh and exciting after all these years?

The energy comes from the crowd—it pushes us to go even harder. We’ve always tested the limits of how fast, hard, and energetic our sets can be. The fact that our audience is so open to that energy is just amazing.

What has been the most memorable or impactful live performance of your career, and why?

Playing EDC Las Vegas in 2014 was a real eye-opener for us. That was when we felt like what we were doing could really go somewhere. We were on a big-room EDM lineup at the Kinetic Field stage, and back then, we had only played a few shows in the U.S. Before we went on, we were actually wondering if they put us on the wrong stage. We were nervous that the crowd wouldn’t be into the trap-crossover style we were about to drop.
 

Touring is such an intense part of an artist’s life. What’s something most fans don’t know about the behind-the-scenes of your tours, whether it’s the creative process, challenges you face, or even lighter moments that keep things going?

I feel like healthy living is key.

Technology is constantly evolving, from sound production tools to new-stage technologies. What innovations in the EDM world are you most excited about, and how do you see them influencing the genre in the next few years?

A really good song probably has both.

With Yellow Claw now being recognized around the world, do you feel there’s a shift in how you approach each new project or show? How do you handle the pressure of being in the spotlight while maintaining your authenticity?

We’ve always just done what we love. That’s why our body of work is so diverse—there are phases where we get really into certain sounds, and naturally, that’s what we end up creating. 

Make sure to stream “CRUSH” and feel the energy that’s taking the world by storm. Don’t miss your chance to catch Yellow Claw live and experience the magic in person at these upcoming shows:

Mar 23 – New York City, NY – The Roof at Superior Ingredients
Mar 27 – Miami, FL – Uva Uva Wynwood
Mar 28 – San Bernardino, CA – NOS Events Center
Mar 29 – Honolulu, HI – Republik