David Heartbreak may only have two-and-a-half years’ worth of production experience, but few people have made such a speedy and successful transition from hip-hop head to unregulated electronic musician. The one-time rapper and long-time DJ was turned onto what we now call EDM by moombahton pioneer Munchi after they met over MySpace in 2009. “Once he showed me what was popping in Holland I fell in love with [electronic music],” the New Yorker tells Hive. “Before that I actually hated it. I was a hip-hop head and I was not open to anything if it wasn’t Jay-Z or Busta Rhymes.” Heartbreak made this seamless transition by birthing moombahsoul, a hip-hop and R&B sample-friendly take on moombahton that is instantly accessible for ardent and casual fans alike. “I don’t really count that as true EDM because it’s a fusion of everything,” Heartbreak says. “To me it was hip hop, reggae, and Latin spices fused together, so it came natural to me.”
Despite his success as one of a handful of producers to push moombahton on an international level, Heartbreak wants to continue dabbling in different genres instead of sticking to one sound or tempo. “That was the smartest decision I made because I’m known to a lot of people as an innovator and risk-taker, and not just a certain genre person,” he explains. “It’s a gift and a curse, because music is so disposable you almost have to have ADHD to stay current. The kids get bored, as do I.” Heartbreak considers his strongest and least-disposable production to be his recently released Cloud 9 Part II EP, a collection of “future bass” tracks that sit somewhere between AraabMuzik’s trance musings and the downtempo, textured productions of Burial. Now only a month later, his next project shows a much more energetic side to his production.
Like most of his work, The Incredible Hulk EP combines elements of hip hop, reggae and electro to create a high-octane fusion Heartbreak calls “badman trap.” Three tracks long and packaged with three guest remixes of the title track “Incredible Hulk,” the EP highlights the natural transition from dubstep to hip hop, plus the heart-pounding edge of tropical rave music. “Dubstep is 140 to 145 beats-per-minute, and a lot of hip hop music is the same tempo,” Heartbreak says. “My favorite tune is ‘Incredible Hulk,’ it’s like dubstep mixed with hip hop, with hard-style influences, that I secretly made for Busta Rhymes.” The track’s alarm-like synth, endless snares and deep bass kick have a relentless energy that would suit Busta perfectly. “I’m at the point now where I only make the music I like, so this EP is about fusion and experimentation,” Heartbreak adds. “And lastly and most importantly, having fun.”
Stream David Heartbreak’s The Incredible Hulk EP below before it’s full release tomorrow.
