Recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to dubstep and bass music, and for his innovative work in music production education, Ill. Gates first emerged professionally after signing with Breakbeat label 2 Wars and a Revolution records. Under the alias ‘The Phat Conductor,’ he began releasing original music on vinyl, quickly establishing his distinctive sound. By 2005, his work had captured the attention of acclaimed DJ and producer Bassnectar, leading to a significant tour together.

Gates’ influence extends significantly into music production education and sound design. As ‘The Phat Conductor,’ he pioneered the creation and sale of some of the first commercial Ableton Live templates in 2006, helping define techniques such as sampler ‘128s,’ ‘The Infinite Drum Rack,’ and ‘Mudpies.’ He further enhanced live performance capabilities by publishing performance templates for MIDI controllers like the Akai MPD32 and APC40. Addressing the increasing demand for his expertise, Ill. Gates founded Producer Dojo, an online platform providing comprehensive tutorials, courses, workshops, and coaching for aspiring producers.

Bill. In 2019, under the pseudonym Sentient 7 and the Clankers with Zain Effendi, he contributed music for Disney’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, where his compositions are performed daily, showcasing his versatility and reach into global entertainment franchises. Ill. Gates continued to expand his artistic output with the release of ‘The Arrival’ in 2021 and ‘Bent’ in 2022.

That same year, he celebrated an impressive milestone of 20 years as a professional DJ, underscoring his enduring presence and impact within the electronic music landscape. His consistent innovation in both production and education continues to shape the future of electronic music, making him a sought-after collaborator and mentor.