SAMPLING THE HITS ARE MAKING HITS

So you want your song to be a hit? To give your record an edge over the crazy competition why not snag a hook, riff, or verse that is already a proven smash for your new groove. It’s been working for years and is still goin’ strong. Of course back when sampling started in the 80s artists didn’t think to give the original writer cred or cash for using their work. After a few BIG lawsuits and settlements that’s changed but the success of using the licks that we already love in new tracks is bigger than ever. Some of my fave hits that sampled hits are Nicki Minaj’s use of Baby Got Back in Anaconda. I mean what’s to go wrong there? I CAN NOT get enough of Fall Out Boys use of The Munsters theme in Uma Thurman. They pumped up the base and the jittery piano chords for a riff that puts their track over the top. What would Flo Rida’s Good Feeling be without Etta James killllllller vocal from Somethings Got A Hold On Me providing that ear-catching hook! Going way back you can’t help but move to The Jackson 5’s ABC melody in Naughty by Nature"s OPP. It goes on and on and so does the party this weekend when I drop the needle on a crate full of brand new EXCLUSIVE HK remixes.

Get ready for some heart pounding drops on Jason Derulo, OMI, Nick Jonas, Natalie La Rose, Fall Out Boy, David Guetta, Carly Rae Jepsen, Adam Lambert and more!

Remember…If it's hot, if it's new and it makes you wanna move…you're In The Mix with HK™.

GEORGE EZRA GETS IN THE MIX WITH HK™

George Ezra will take a break during his busy tour this weekend to call into In The Mix with HK™! The 21 year old singer/songwriter, who describes himself as a “scrawny British kid”, has a deep rich older than his years voice that has brought on comparisons to Johnny Cash.  Be it those resounding baritone pipes or his mad hooky songwriting skills, George has a killer hit on his hands with Budapest! I CAN NOT wait to mix up that track plus learn more from George like… who's more fun to tour with - Hozier or Sam Smith?

Fun is what I have on deck (pun intended) for you this weekend!  Oh yeah! It’s a party when I light up the 1’s and 2’s with custom HK remixes on Ellie Goulding – Love Me Like You Do, Walk The Moon – Shut Up And Dance, The Weeknd – Earned It, Natalie La Rose/Jeremih – Somebody, Jason Derulo – Want To Want Me, Flo Rida/Sage The Gemini - GDFR and more! Plus brand new joints from Nate Ruess, Calvin Harris, Sia and Mohombi.

Remember…If it's hot, if it's new and it makes you wanna move…you're In The Mix with HK™. 

FORGET TIME'S 100 - HK'S 3 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN POP…RIGHT NOW!

This Week TIME magazine released its list of 100 Most Influential People. It's a fun read you'll no doubt agree & disagree with. Which pushed me to make my own Top 3 list of the most influential creators dropping a bomb on Pop music.

My list includes 1) Taylor Swift- Writer, performer and marketing genius. 2) Max Martin – Producer and cowriter extraordinaire for Taylor Swift, Katie Perry and Pink. He has also worked with Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears and Jessie J. 3) Ryan Tedder - Flat out music mastermind. Also known as the lead singer of OneRepublic, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and producer has written songs for the likes of Beyoncé, U2 and Adele, as well as writing Ella Henderson’s chart topping debut single, Ghost. He wrote 2007’s Apologize, which was performed by OneRepublic, and became the most played song on American radio of all time. That record was broken in May 2008 by Leona Lewis’s Bleeding Love – a song Tedder co–wrote and produced (nothing like breaking your own record and setting another). Tedder’s more recent songs/productions include Gwen Stefani, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Madonna, One Direction and Olly Murs.

Who do you think has recently blown up the pop music landscape? Hit me up at hk@hkonthedecks.com with your list.

This weekend I’m gonna be blowin’ up your speakers with EXCLUSIVE HK mixes on Ellie Goulding, Natalie La Rose, Ariana Grande, Flo Rida, Zedd, Nick Jonas,Tori Kelly, Lunchmoney Lewis and more!

Remember…If it's hot, if it's new and it makes you wanna move…you're In The Mix with HK™.

CELEBRATE SPRING BREAK…IN THE MIX WITH HK™

It is officially Spring Break season and that means PARRRRRRRRRRTY! And nothing says party more than jammin’ out to the biggest and best hits remixed, rearranged and reinvented custom HK style! Whether you're at the beach, throwin’ down a serious staycation or doin’ the European thang - In The Mix with HK™ is your spring break soundtrack!

This weekend I’m blowin’ up your woofers and promising multiple eargasms cause I spent every minute of the sub-zero temps locked away in my toasty warm studio. I'm droppin' brand new HK reworkings on Ed Sheeran, Kelly Clarkson, Tove Lo, Vance Joy, Natalie La Rose and more! Plus brand spankin' new joints from Lunchmoney Lewis, Cash Cash, Tori Kelly, Who Is Fancy, Walk The Moon and other surprises!

Make sure you tune in all weekend long to get your spring break swerve on!

Remember…if it's hot, if it's new and it makes you wanna move…you're In The Mix with HK™.