Destructo

Gary Richards, a seasoned music business veteran, operates under the alias Destructo to deliver and perform an intense fusion of electro-house and rap. He adopted the name in the early 1990s while serving as an A&R executive at Rick Rubin's Def American Recordings. The DJ, promoter, and producer issued his initial solo work on Boysnoize and OWSLA through the 2012 Technology EP. Integration of dance music with gangsta rap and trap elements began on 2014's West Coast, which led to joint efforts with leading rappers such as E-40, Too $hort, and Busta Rhymes. Rolling Stone and Billboard have identified him as one of EDM's pivotal figures.

Operating out of Los Angeles, Gary Richards launched dance events starting in 1991. Rick Rubin appointed him to handle A&R for the electronic division of Def American Recordings in 1993. He recruited Lords of Acid, Messiah, and God Lives Underwater while arranging U.S. distribution for XL Recordings and Harthouse Records. As Destructo he reworked Awesome 3's rave staple "Don't Go" and delivered forceful DJ sets centered on the most aggressive techno available. He subsequently established 1500 Records and Nitrus Records, partnering with artists including David Holmes, Dub Pistols, and Basement Jaxx.

He reentered concert promotion by founding HARD Events in 2007. An acclaimed New Year's Eve event grew into annual festivals that later extended to worldwide tours. At the height of the 2010s EDM surge he prioritized his electronic productions and HARD promotions alongside associates like Skrillex and Diplo. Remixes followed for Giorgio Moroder, Warren G, Depeche Mode, and Major Lazer. Three EPs appeared on OWSLA/Boysnoize—Technology (2012), Higher (2013), and West Coast (2014)—each showcasing guest contributions from YG, Kurupt, and Ty Dolla $ign.

Additional singles emerged in later years, among them "Shipfam" with Anna Lunoe and Sgt. Buzzkill plus "4 Real" featuring returning collaborator Ty Dolla $ign and iLoveMakonnen. "All Nite," which arrived the next year, enlisted E-40, Too $hort, and Iamsu!. Together with "Catching Plays" (featuring Pusha T and Starrah), those tracks formed the 2017 EP Renegade. "Loaded" included Yo Gotti, and Busta Rhymes joined the high-energy 2018 track "Fucking Shit Up." Kevin Gates, Denzel Curry, and a returning Yo Gotti appeared on the 2020 single "Bandz."