If DATSIK (born Troy Beetles) sounds more like a young rapper than one of the world’s preeminent young dubstepstars, it’s for good reason. The Kelowna, British Columbia, native grew up a hardcore rap fan that still pledges allegiance to classic Wu-Tang Clan and it permeates his dark, aggressive music.

DATSIK’s future-tech dance-floor detonators exploded on the dubstep scene almost immediately, racking up a series of seven #1 tracks on Beatport, including at one time owning five of the ten tunes on their best-sellers chart. He’s also had smash hits on other music sites like Juno, Red Eye and Chemical Records and early remix credits include works for the biggest names in the game like Diplo, The Crystal Method and Bassnectar.

“It’s important to me to have my own style,” he stresses, citing Method Man as the one artist at the top of his collaboration “bucket list.” “I will always have a strong hip-hop element and be heavy, but it’s always going to sound like the future.”

“Lately, I’m focusing on creating memorable songs, so it’s always real music and not just a collection of cool beats,” DATSIK says finally. “Of course, it’s gotta be funky so people can dance to it. More than anything, I want people to be able to hum my songs, robot noises and all.”

DATSIK will bring his heavy, futuristic electronica to the Egyptian Room at the Old National Centre in Indianapolis on Thursday, Feb. 19. Tickets $25, $30 the day of the event. Show starts at 8 p.m.