When singer and songwriter David Burke, also known as d4vd, went searching for a way to avoid copyright strikes on his game streaming videos, he didn’t expect to find a music career. Taking his mother’s advice to “go make your own music,” the Houston teen turned to BandLab, an app he discovered online.
He recorded his breakout single “Romantic Homicide” in his sister’s closet. That song catapulted him onto the Billboard charts and earned him a record deal – with nothing more than an iPhone and an idea.
“We were his instrument,” says Kuok Meng Ru, the CEO and co-founder of BandLab. “Honestly, I believe he would’ve succeeded no matter what tools he used. But we were there when he needed to start.”
The App Store Editors spoke to Kuok about how he came up with the musical tool that launched a thousand dreams, and what the platform means for its community of creators.
Reimagining the instrument
Kuok has always been an avid music lover. Growing up in Singapore, he studiously played piano and violin. Later on, he juggled his maths studies at Cambridge with playing guitar. His commitment to music solidified after acquiring Swee Lee, a Singaporean guitar retailer he once shopped at as a teen.
Frustrated by the lack of accessible instruments, he modernised the business – and began asking bigger questions: What if a musical instrument wasn’t something you bought, but something you already had? What if it’s on your phone?
Together with engineer Steve Skillings, he launched BandLab in 2015 with a simple premise: mobile-first, collaborative and accessible music-making. But for Kuok, software alone wasn’t the point. Beyond the tools, users can post their beats to feeds, join communities for feedback or start chats with like-minded creators.
Today, BandLab is one of the world’s largest music creation platforms with more than 100 million users and over 17 million tracks created monthly. Its cloud-based digital audio workstation lets anyone record, mix, master, collaborate and share music across devices.
Music is more than sound, there’s meaning in it. There’s a human intent behind creating and connecting. That’s where BandLab stands out: building a supportive, inspiring community.– Kuok Meng Ru, CEO and co-founder of BandLab
As more musicians seek accessible ways to create, Kuok is optimistic about the role BandLab can play.
“What excites me most is that young creators today have way more control over their sound. In the past, artists relied on others to produce or shape their music. If they lost their label or producer, they’d be lost,” he explained. “But now, with BandLab, they know how to make and control their sound. That’s real creative agency.”
From passion to progress
That same spirit of empowerment also drives BandLab’s approach to AI.
“Our approach to AI is human-centric. All these tools are meant to support artists,” said Kuok. He and his team consciously designed the app’s AI-powered features – SongStarter, Splitter, Voice Cleaner, Voice Changer – with the intent to enhance art, not automate it.
“That’s why it’s called SongStarter – not SongFinisher. It’s meant to prompt ideas, not do the work for you. And because people are recording in non-ideal conditions, AI helps with cleaning up recordings, improving quality,” he says.
At its heart, BandLab is more than a platform – it’s a launchpad. While tools and features are important, Kuok is clear: it’s the artist who makes the music. “It’s not about BandLab when someone like d4vd makes it big. The tool doesn’t matter as much as the artist’s story.”
That is why Kuok wants BandLab to focus on adding artist services and community tools aimed at helping creators break through. “We want to help people realise their creative dreams, and then help them find success, however they define it,” he underscores. “That might mean being independent, getting signed or building a fanbase. We want to help them not just make music, but build careers.”
Kuok’s tips for aspiring creators
Authenticity is everything. “Even if you’re playing a character, own it. People connect with commitment. It’s not about quality in the traditional sense. Someone using a phone and headphones can get a billion streams. It’s about connecting with others.”
Don’t force a dream that isn’t yours. “Be honest with yourself. If you’re not passionate about something, you won’t succeed because the world is competitive. If you love sleeping in, don’t open a breakfast place. If you want holidays, maybe don’t go into retail. You’ve got to pick something that aligns with who you are.”
No matter the outcome, stay steady. “When things are going well, don’t get too happy. When things are going badly, don’t get too sad.”