RIHANNA IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT

Rihanna made us wait seven years for new music and it was worth the wait. I mean, it’s easy to understand why she took so long. She’s the youngest self made female billionaire ever! Yeah, it all started with music and then some acting stints, but her massive empire is now built on fashion. And it’s been keeping her pretty busy. Then there’s that whole having a baby thing. One thing we know for sure, no matter what creative outlet she pursues, she personifies excellence.

 

Me…I’m just a music guy. But like RiRi - I pursue excellence each and every week when we get In The Mix with HK™ together. This weekend I’ve got a new uptempo version of Ms. Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” from the Wakanda Forever movie. Plan on jamming out with HK EXCLUSIVES on Taylor Swift, Sia, Oliver Tree & Robin Schulz, Loud Luxury, Selena Gomez, Tate McRae, Meghan Trainor, Beyonce, Lil Nas X and many More!

 

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

BLACKPINK SPITS PINK VENOM

We are just a week away from Blackpink’s sophomore album, Born Pink. And, the anticipation is already building. For good reason…the lead off single Pink Venom is a banger and the K-pop group wowed us recently with their performance at the MTV VMA’s. 

 

I’m looking to wow you this weekend with my EXCLUSIVE HK remix on that track. Plus a full bumpin’ party set that will include the likes of Harry Styles, Nicky Youre, Lizzo, One Republic, Doja Cat, Joji, Jax and MORE. How about new music from Zedd, Sia, Pitbull and others? Yeah, I’ve got that!

PITBULL IS BACK AND HE FEELS GOOD

Pitbull is back on the airwaves and dancefloors with his latest banger entitled “I Feel Good”. Helping him out on the track are Anthony Watts and DJWS. The track is dope and the vocal collab takes it to even higher levels.

 

I urge you to turn the level up this weekend when I pump my EXCLUSIVE HK remix of that track along with new music from Alesso & Katy Perry, Benson Boone, Sean Paul & Sia, Swedish House Mafia. Plus killer new reimagined versions on your favorite hits from Adele, Gayle, Acraze, Neiked and So Much More! 

 

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

SIGALA'S “LASTING LOVER” HAS CAPALDI WRITTEN ALL OVER IT

British DJ/Producer/Remixer Sigala features singer/songwriter James Arthur on his new track Lasting Lover. The song was originally written by Lewis Capaldi but Sigala gave it an upbeat twist and kicked it up a notch. 

 

This weekend I’m kicking your fave hits up a notch with custom HK remixes, new beats and mashups all mixed together for the perfect virtual party soundtrack. Get ready for reimagined bangers from Tate McRae, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Pop Smoke, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Ava Max, 24kGoldn, Sia, Sigala’s new jam and so much more! So tune in and turn it up!

 

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

NEW YEAR...NEW MUSIC ON IN THE MIX WITH HK™

2021 is shaping up to be an exciting year in music with a plethora of new albums by big name artists expected to drop. Anticipated 2021 album releases include; Adele, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Saweetie, Lorde, Lil Nas X and Sia. Also the way Taylor Swift’s been putting out music I wouldn’t rule her out and your guess is as good as mine when it comes to Rihanna. 

 

No guessing needed regarding hot tracks on In The Mix with HK™ this weekend! I’m in the lab bangin’ out custom HK remixes on hits from Jason Derulo, Harry Styles, 24kGoldn, AJR, Ritt Momney, Ariana Grande, Billie Eillish and The Weeknd. Plus new tracks from Tones And I, Justin Bieber, Nelly with Florida Georgia Line, Jack Harlow, CJ and so much more!

 

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

IS DUA LIPA LEAPING TO STATESIDE STARDOM

Dua Lipa the English singer/songwriter with a deep, sultry, emotive voice is poised for stateside stardom. Over the past year she has been an A-lister in the UK and Europe where she’s racked up 5 top 40 hits. Although Lipa has already made some noise in America, the dropping of her debut album this summer should put her squarely on the US map.

Dua (means “Love” in Albanian) was born and raised in London until the age of 11 when her family relocated to Kosovo. At 15 she returned to London to live with a friend and pursue her music career. Lipa started uploading covers of Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys to YouTube (seriously how many artists has YouTube kicked off?!). Within a year she attracted the attention of Lana Del Rey’s manger and by 18 Dua had a recording contract with Warner Bros. Somewhere in between she did some modeling but quickly left that biz when she was told she had to lose weight. Lipa says of that time, “ I love food too much and I’d like to think that my voice is my best feature”. If I didn’t already L-O-V-E this girl for her wicked voice I love her even more now!

This week on In The Mix with HK™ Dua’s latest single Be The One is my Pick To Hit™.  

Speaking of hits….I’ve got all your faves like you’ve never heard them before! Get ready for exclusive HK remixes on Marian Hill, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, The Chainsmokers and Katy Perry. Plus new bangers by Zayn, Stargate featuring Pink & Sia, Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, Halsey and of course Dua Lipa! Then just when you thought the party was over the top I’m putting together a mashup that will blow you away!

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

COUNTDOWN TO THE GRAMMYS

Music’s biggest night is just a month away. Of course I’m talking about the Grammy Awards. As someone who’s been lucky enough to be a long time voting member of the Recording Academy, a previous Grammy nominee and Governor on the Board of the Grammys, as well as had the pleasure of working on 5 Grammy Award winning projects - I take the awards very seriously. The question I get asked most about the process (aside from “who ya voting for?”) is… "what’s the difference between Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year". These are two of the nights biggest awards. Come on, let's face it!!! We’re talking about the one song that ruled the year in music here! The Record Of The Year category recognizes the artist’s performance as well as the overall contributions of the producer(s), recording engineer(s) and/or mixer(s) if other than the artist. Basically those creative, often behind the scene, magicians who worked to make that song sound amazing. The Song Of The Year category is strictly a songwriters award and recognizes the incredible songwriter(s).

This week I’ll be recognizing some of the hottest tracks by means of re-imagined sonic productions! Get ready for exclusive HK remixes on Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Sia and Flume. All 2017 Grammy nominees by the way, plus wicked beats from Bruno Mars, Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha, Little Mix, Dua Lipa and Camilla Cabello. And of course there’re always brand new bangers with an HK twist. Like G-Eazy, Fitz & The Tantrums, Ed Sheeran, the Best New Artist nominee The Chainsmokers and so much more! Let’s get this party started!

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

THE BOYS ARE BACK!

Female artists dominated the top of the charts just two years ago. But this year pop music swung male as the guys hit the #1 spot for a whopping 35 weeks. With Taylor Swift and Katy Perry on a no album year and Beyoncé keeping lemonade off most streaming services the boys grabbed a big chunk of the charts. I’ve got them all cued and amped up for you this weekend with exclusive custom HK remixes on The Weeknd, Bieber, Drake, Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Pitbull, Jon Bellion and so much more. Of course the ladies always represent so get ready for some HK flava on Sia, Rihanna, Hailee Steinfeld plus brand new bangers from Britney Spears and Charli XCX. We’re bringing the party to you this holiday season! 

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

ADELE, THE BIEBS AND TWENTY ONE PILOTS RIDING HIGH

Adele has been named Billboards #1 Artist of the Year. Her out of the box hit album 25 sold over nine million copies to date and held the #1 spot for ten weeks. Not being outdone Justin Bieber nabs the title of #1 and #2 Song of the Year with, what I consider a really great play on words for a break up song, “Love Yourself” and the try to get back together track “Sorry”. In addition, the so deserving Twenty One Pilots grab Billboards Duo or Group of the Year honors.

I’m turning out exclusive remixes on Adele, the Biebes and TOP for your weekend party soundtrack and that's just the tip of the iceberg. I’ll be droppin’ the needle on custom HK remixes of Bruno Mars, Sia, Jon Bellion, Ariana Grande, One Republic, The Chainsmokers, Hailee Steinfeld and so much more. It’s non-stop bangers and a few sonic surprises!

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

LET'S GET DOWN AND BE THANKFUL THIS WEEKEND

It’s Thanksgiving weekend or as I like to call it…The official kick off of the holiday party season!

After eating waaay too much of a great Thanksgiving feast, I always look forward to the weekend for working off those extra pounds. So put down that leftover drumstick and pie, get up outta your chair and get ready to bust a move. I’ve got exclusive HK remixes on Sia, Twenty One Pilots, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, The Chainsmokers and so much more. Plus you know I’m gonna throw in a few surprises. Your Thanksgiving weekend party jam is ready to drop and it’s all going down right here! 

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

NEW TRACKS ARE DROPPING LIKE LEAVES

Some of our favorite powerhouse artists dropped singles this month as we wait in anxious anticipation for their next albums. It’s been 4 long years since Bruno Mars gave us his sophomore album and man am I ready for #3 . Mars dropped 24K Magic, the first single and title track of his new album slated for release next month and fans couldn’t be happier. Also due for an album are Maroon 5. They just dropped Don’t Wanna Know featuring seven time Grammy award winning artist Kendrick Lamar and it’s already blazing up the charts. Three years have passed since John Legend’s last album warmed our hearts. He recently released the first track Love Me Now from his upcoming album, Darkness and Light, due out later this year.

What do these songs have in common (aside from being great)? They’re all on the list of upcoming exclusive HK remixes to be debuted in this week’s In The Mix with HK™! But wait there’s more… X Ambassadors, Kiiara, The Chainsmokers, Sia, Ellie Goulding and Calvin Harris will all be getting a custom HK tweaking!  Plus Part II of our exclusive interview with Alessia Cara and so much more! It’s an all-out weekend party throw down you don’t wanna miss!

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

IN THE MIX WITH HK™ - A GLOBAL MUSICAL FORCE!

Music truly is the universal language! All you have to do is listen to the radio and look at the charts. What's happening now is truly amazing.

Get ready for exclusive HK remixes on the Canadian delegation of Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber, The Weekend and Alessia Cara. Reigning from Scotland, Calvin Harris will do it My Way and his London neighbors: Coldplay will bring the Hymn For The Weekend. Cookin’ On 3 Burners and Sia will add their Down Under flava and I’ll be putting my spin on Rihanna’s (the Barbados Princess) smash: Needed Me. Shaggy, our Jamaican feel good buddy, has no worries with his new track That Love and our German friend Zedd is back for part II of our interview and his latest hit Starving. Don't worry! I won’t leave you hungry for more…U.S.A’s gonna represent in full force too! Plus there's this week's PICK TO HIT™ and I'll revisit and re-imagine a throwback classic.

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

COLLABORATIONS RULE THE CHARTS!

Collaborations have always been a recipe for success in the music biz. Double the talent, double the fan base, double the chance of a hit. These days it seems that team efforts are stronger than ever as they rule over half of the Top 10. This week I’m spinning those musical alliances for double the fun as I bust out exclusive HK remixes on, Charlie Puth & Selena, Chainsmokers & Halsey, Britney & G-Eazy,  DJ Snake & the Biebs,  Sia & Sean Paul, Imagine Dragons ,Lil Wayne & Wiz and that's just getting the decks fired up! Flume is checking in for Part II of our exclusive interview. Hear his music advice and what he's doing in a strip club! The answer might surprise you. Flume's new collab with Kia will get a little HK flava, Coldpay & Beyoncé have the Hymn For The Weekend and Calvin & Rihanna know This Is What You Came For. So don’t miss a bangin’ beat. I promise to bring the music if you bring the food and cold beverages!

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

FLUME GETS IN THE MIX WITH HK™

Flume’s hit Never Be Like You has been steadily climbing the charts for 20 weeks and just became his first American single to sell over one million units. This week the Australian electronic musician, composer and producer sits down with me to talk about how his new album Skin differs from his debut album Flume, his writing process, what inspires him and what it feels like to have his first platinum selling song in the U.S.

This weekend I’ll be spinning platinum on the platters with excusive HK remixes of Justin Bieber, Twenty One Pilots, Adele, The Chainsmokers, Sia, Katy Perry and so much more. Plus new bangers from Britney Spears, Cash Cash , Alessia Cara and Usher. The mixes are gonna be massive and the party is epic, don’t miss a single beat! 

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

SIA GETS RICH FROM CHEAP THRILLS

Drake’s One Dance has been camped out as the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since May (10 weeks). Sia’s smash hit, Cheap Thrills that features Sean Paul, knocked Drake off the throne with her ode to a low cost night out. Making this the first time Sia has worn the #1 crown as an artist and Paul’s fourth time at the top in more than 10 years. It could have just as easily been Rihanna looking down from the tower. Rihanna’s manager had asked Sia to write another Diamonds. Sia sent Cheap Thrills to the Rihanna camp but they passed on it. Here's where I get to brag and say I told you so (why does that feel so good. LOL!). Over six months ago I wrote a blog about Sia's new album consisting of songs that she wrote for other artists and all had been rejected. I went on to say…their loss would be Sia's gain! And here she is six months later with the #1 song in the country! 

This week I’m putting Sia’s #1 song on In The Mix with HK™ with an exclusive HK remix just for you! I’ll also be upping the watts on hits by Shawn Mendes, Katy Perry, Flume, Fifth Harmony, Coldplay, Twenty One Pilots and so much more! Plus new jams from Major Lazer featuring Justin Bieber and Steve Aoki & Boehm featuring Walk The Moon! I’ve got your weekend party soundtrack all cued up!

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

KATY PERRY RISES THIS WEEK ON IN THE MIX WITH HK™

Katy Perry recently released Rise, it’s her first new single in two years and she also wrote it! Here’s what the Grammy nominee said in a statement about her latest track – “This is a song that’s been brewing inside me for years, that has finally come to the surface. I was inspired to finish it now, rather than save it for my next album, because now more than ever, there is a need for our world to unite.  I know that together we can rise above the fear – in our country, and around the world. I can’t think of a better example than the Olympic athletes, as they gather together in Rio with their strength and fearlessness, to remind us how we ALL can come together, with the resolve to be the best we can be. I hope this song can inspire us to heal, unite, and rise together. I am honored that NBC Olympics has chosen to use it as an anthem before and during the Rio Games.”

This week on In The Mix with HK™ I’ll put my spin on Katy’s latest tune and also hit you up with new jams from Britney Spears and Demi Lovato! Your speakers will be thumpin’ with exclusive HK remixes on Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, OneRebublic, Sia, Drake, Meghan Trainor, Twenty One Pilots and so much more!!

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

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE BACK TO THE BIG SCREEN AND IN THE MIX WITH HK™

Justin Timberlake is set to join the cast of Kate Winslet and Jim Belushi for Woody Allen’s next flick. The film will be the first collab. between JT and director Allen. Shooting for the movie will begin in New York this Fall. In typical Allen fashion, the plot details and film’s title are being kept under wraps. What’s not under wraps is the custom remix of JT’s Can’t Stop The Feeling that I have just for you! It will be unleashed on this week’s In The Mix with HK™ along with exclusive remixes on Meghan Trainor, Zayn, Nick Jonas, Sia, Fifth Harmony, Twenty One Pilots and so much more! Plus new bangers from John Legend, Tiesto, David Guetta and that left of center, elusive new pop sensation Kiiara! It’s a summer party soundtrack you don’t wanna miss! 

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

THIS WEEK THE CHAINSMOKERS GET IN THE MIX WITH HK™

The Chainsmokers have had a smokin’ hot year! With hits like Don’t Let Me Down featuring Daya and Roses featuring Roses, the dynamic duo from New York has been topping the charts! This weekend Andrew and Alex get In The Mix with HK™ to talk about the current state of EDM and it’s future. And without a doubt, you know I’m gonna fire up the decks for your future weekend party soundtrack! Get ready to turn the volume up on exclusive HK remixes of One Republic, Ariana Grande, Sia f/Sean Paul, Meghan Trainor, Twenty One Pilots, Ruth B, Zayn, Lukas Graham, Adele, of course The Chainsmokers and so much more!

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

WILL ZAYN DO IT AGAIN?

Zayn has been busy since exiting One Direction a year ago, saying “I wasn't 100% behind the music. It wasn't me.” Since then his music is all about him, even naming his recently released first solo album Mind of Mine. The first single of that LP, Pillow Talk,  blew up and is still on the charts. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 as well as toping the charts in 68 countries. Now Zayn is pushing his latest track Like I Would. Recent live performances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The View have certainly brought the song to the public’s attention. Will Like I Would be the 2^nd Zayn monster hit? Check it out on the Pick To Hit™ segment of In The Mix with HK™ this weekend and tweet me with your thoughts @HowardHKKessler.

In the meantime catch up on some rest, cause I'll be hittin' the one's and two's and rockin' your body with the likes of Drake, Fifth Harmony, Sia, Ariana Grande and Mike Posner. Of course they're all like you've never heard them before in pristine custom HK fashion. I've also got new jams from Zedd, One Republic, Timeflies, Selena Gomez and others. Plus a few sonic surprises to crack your cranium!

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

HK REMIXES A QUINCY JONES REMAKE

Grace is the 19 year old Australian, singer songwriter who is making noise with her rendition of You Don’t Know Me, the 60’s hit that was originally produced by Quincy Jones for Lesley Gore. After meeting Grace at a charity benefit and hearing her sultry moody voice, Jones suggested the two hit the studio to remake You Don’t Know Me. Amazingly, Grace was exactly Gore’s age when Quincy produced the hit for her. On this go round G-Eazy adds his rhymes, pumping this iconic feminist anthem up with some 21^st century flava. I’m gonna be pumpin’ up the jam this weekend when I remix the remake!

Get ready to turn the volume up when I bust the groves with exclusive HK remixes on Justin Bieber, Twenty One Pilots, Shawn Hook and Flo Rida. Not one to EVER forget the ladies – Selena, Ariana, Iggy, Sia and of course Grace will be lighting up the decks with their hot singles! And that is just getting the party started! Don’t miss a single banging beat! 

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