Oscar N Hits High Marks With Slothacid Label Release ‘Into The Fire’ EP

Oscar N’s latest release, “Into the Fire EP,” punches into the underground with raw, untamed energy.

“Into the Fire” grabs you by the collar. The groove is relentless, dragging you deeper. Sharp, unpredictable jazz breakdowns erupt without warning. The energy jolts, shoves you into a trance.

Then comes “Funk O’Clock“. It’s called a B-side, but don’t let that fool you. The bassline slams in. Heavy, with vocal samples riding the groove like a command, making time stop mattering. It’s stripped down and pure, dripping with that 3 AM, sweat-soaked dance floor vibe where reality blurs away.

Oscar N‘s path isn’t clean or easy. It’s scrappy. Raised in Philly, he grew up on his parents’ disco and early electronic. He took those sounds and made them his own. Years of grinding followed. Starting in basement DJ sets. Then came the Philly club scene and the pandemic hit. Oscar didn’t back down, he doubled down. Cosmic Academy shaped his skills during this time. Oscar’s journey is full of challenges and each one made him stronger.

Now it’s all paying off: big stages like Firefly and Amsterdam Dance Event. Oscar’s name is getting louder, with support from giants like Marco Carola and Nic Fanciulli. NYC’s Gray Area has felt his energy. Oscar is here to make his mark, and he’s determined to stay.

Listen to the track below.

Check out the interview below.

“Into the Fire” and “Funk O’Clock” each have distinct styles, blending deep grooves, jazz breaks, and minimalistic beats. What was your inspiration for combining these diverse elements across the EP?

Both tracks were about blending contrasting elements to keep listeners engaged. The inspiration came from a mix of my love for the energy of minimal house and the expressive feel that jazz brings. I enjoyed weaving those influences together to create a unique experience in each track.

Growing up in Philadelphia with European influences, how did disco and electronic music guide you towards becoming a DJ and producer?

Growing up, my parents would often host dinner parties at home since there wasn’t much to do in the Delaware area where I lived. Music was always a central part of those gatherings, and I was exposed to a lot of disco and popular electronic tracks from the ’90s.

Artists like Alice Deejay, Daft Punk, and The Prodigy really caught my attention, especially because so many movies at the time featured these electronic tracks in their soundtracks. With my parents being of Eastern European descent, they had a strong connection to the music coming out of Europe, which shaped my own tastes.

As I grew older and moved to Philadelphia, those early experiences really molded my passion for electronic music and inspired me to pursue DJing and production as a career.

You helped start the “Into the Groove” collective. How has that experience shaped your growth as an artist, and why is the sense of community important to you?

I helped create Into the Groove in 2020, just as lockdowns were being lifted. During that downtime, some friends and I developed the idea for an event series where we could play the music we love (tech house and minimal) while also creating an inclusive community for music lovers.

This experience taught me that it’s essential to have something unique that makes your collective stand out. Whether it’s the vibe of your parties or the distinct sound your artists produce, it’s about creating an identity that resonates both sonically and socially.

How did the time during the pandemic lockdowns affect your production style and inspire the direction of your latest EP?

I feel like my production style has always been changing but never more drastically than this year after graduating from Cosmic Academy (Miami). The darker grooves that straddle between minimal and tech house is something I very much enjoy creating and I’m happy that I was able to translate my vision into this EP.

After performing at big events like Firefly and the Amsterdam Dance Event, how have those experiences influenced the way you approach live shows?

Playing at events like Firefly, Elements and ADE has given me a clear understanding of what it takes to perform at a high level. While these experiences were eye-opening, my approach to preparing for live shows hasn’t changed.

I still prefer to keep my sets unplanned, focusing on reading the crowd and creating a journey in real-time. I prepare by familiarizing myself with a wide range of sounds across electronic music, so I’m ready to adapt on the fly. Even with a short 1-hour set, my goal is always to guide the crowd through a memorable, dynamic experience.

Your track “Superstar” not only reached #2 on Beatport’s Tech House chart but also caught the attention of artists like Melannie Ribbe. How has this recognition and success influenced your vision for the future and impacted your career so far?

Getting recognition from artists I admire, like Melannie Ribbe, and recently Jamie Jones on “Into the Fire,” has been a huge milestone for me. As an up-and-comer, it can be tough when progress feels slow, but staying consistent and focusing on small improvements over time has really helped me stay grounded.

Seeing support from artists I respect reinforces that I’m on the right path, and it motivates me to keep pushing. It’s a reminder that with dedication, I can reach their level one day.

What next for you in 2024 and going into 2025?

I’m working on a lot of new music that I’m excited to share! I also took part in some demo competitions at ADE, and I’m anxiously waiting on the results – I feel really good about how they went.

For 2025, I’ve set specific goals for landing releases on key labels to build on the momentum I’ve gained in 2024. I’ll also be focusing on increasing my Spotify presence and connecting with more established artists, aiming to gain their respect and continue growing within the industry.