Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Leonardo, better known as L-Side, delved into the music world as a producer in 2006. His journey began under the Influence of hip-hop and rock, but it was his passion for vinyl records that led him to explore the sounds of Soul, Funk, and Brazilian Music.
At the age of 15, his musical journey began, starting with the guitar among school friends and then transitioning to the guitar. From there, his involvement with music only grew, leading him to experiment with producing his own Rap beats. Over time, his musical journey led him to the fascinating world of Drum & Bass, inspired by pioneering producers like Marcus Intalex, XRS, and DJ Marky.
Practicing on friends’ decks while honing his skills, L-Side began his career as a DJ and producer in 2008, making his first DJ appearance in 2009. Shortly after, V Recordings discovered him and released his first track “Horn Dance” (on the Chronic Big Bad & Heavy compilation) in 2011. Since then, he has been making his mark in the world of raw, dancefloor-focused beats. Developing his own unique style, L-Side is known for his meticulous blend of aggressive and forward-thinking basslines, fused with funk and soul, forging an impeccably fresh interpretation of edgy drum and bass.
His notable releases during this time include the single “So High,” featuring German singer MC Fava, and “Riddim Dancer,” with the MC duo Ragga Twins, released by V Recordings, solidifying his reputation as one of the most promising Drum & Bass producers.
International recognition came with invitations to perform in exotic destinations like Dubai and Bogotá, along with a memorable performance at Tomorrowland Brasil 2016, where he shared the stage with DJ Andrezz in a back-to-back set. In a nation teeming with talented producers, L-Side emerged as one of the most exceptional. In addition to two highly acclaimed EPs (Brainstorm in 2013 on
Chronic / Love Vibration in 2017 on V Recs), L-Side collaborated with heavyweights like Alibi, Level 2, Critycal Dub, Need For Mirrors, DRS, David Boomah, T.R.A.C., Total Science, MC Fava, and MC GQ, among others. Essentially, he has been delivering a continuous stream of new music on almost every major Drum and Bass compilation since 2013.
In 2018, L-Side achieved another significant milestone in his career with the release of his debut album, “Carnal Mind,” on V Recordings. The album featured collaborations with major names in the global Drum & Bass scene, including MC Conrad, MC Fats, Fox, DRS, T.R.A.C., and the legendary American rapper Jeru The Damaja.
With an ability to create dancefloor-ready beats that are both beautiful and engaging, L-Side’s music has been climbing the charts in recent years. His remixes for DJ Krust’s “Not Necessarily A Man” (2019); Think Tonk’s “What A Ting” (2020); “Look At You” with SL8R (2020); and “Zaga Dan” with MC GQ (2020); either reached number one or remained among the top ten Beatport
DnB releases in those years. These tracks have quickly become “instant classics,” essential for every DJ.
Despite the pandemic, L-Side remained incredibly active as a producer and also expanded his presence by live streaming on his Twitch channel (twitch.tv/ lsidebr). There, he continued to spread his sounds and style internationally, inspiring countless artists and listeners in the process. 2021 has already seen this prolific artist releasing more high-quality music on various labels. Remixes of Total Science’s “Fallen Angel,” the classic “Girlz” by Potential Badboy, Yush, and MC Fats, the collaboration with Fox for “The Shine” (The North Quarter); as well as his production of Riya & Collette Warren’s “All For Something,” and lastly the remarkable Remix for one of Hospital Records’ most listened tracks, B-Complex’s “Beautiful Lies.”
Since then, L-Side has been a dominant force in the Drum & Bass scene, with his tracks being played on prestigious radios like BBC Radio 1, Kiss FM, and Rinse FM, and supported by renowned DJs worldwide, such as Carl Cox, Giles Peterson, DJ Craze, Fabio & Grooverider, DJ Marky, and SHY FX. With a tour schedule covering legendary clubs like Fabric and XOYO in London, and
renowned festivals like Sun & Bass in Italy, Tomorrowland in Brazil, Rampage in Belgium, and Outlook Festival in Croatia, L-Side continues to captivate audiences with his energetic performances and innovative productions. His collaborations with a variety of artists from around the world and releases on prominent labels, including V Recordings, Hospital Records, Playaz, and Drum
& Bass Arena, solidify his position as one of the leading figures in contemporary Drum & Bass.
In addition to his initial achievements, L-Side’s journey is marked by notable continuity and consistency in the global Drum & Bass scene. Over the years, he has maintained a solid presence in the industry, regularly releasing music that has garnered acclaim from both fans and critics alike. His ability to evolve musically without losing his unique identity and his tireless dedication to quality
and innovation have ensured that he remains a prominent figure in the genre. With each new release and performance, L-Side continues to raise the bar and shape the course of contemporary Drum & Bass, solidifying his place as one of the most respected and influential artists in the scene.