Last year, HNHH and TuneCore partnered up to launch the extensive “Heat Seekers” contest, an eleven-week showcase designed to highlight some of the game’s best unsigned talent. After a lengthy search and plenty of submissions, Mr. Lightupp was ultimately declared to be the winner. Now, we’re back with another edition of the “Heat Seekers” challenge, picking up with our new format designed to highlight some of the twelve competitors. After all twelve are revealed, the winner will be chosen from there. Should you be interested in trying your luck, you can submit your own music right here. 

With Tye Harris setting things off last week, now is the time for Dallas’ own Big Dawg Johnson, otherwise known as Big Hud. No stranger to putting in work, Big Dawg has crossed paths with several notable rappers, including Too $hort, Chance The Rapper, OMB Peezy, Rittz, Yelawolf, Yella Beezy, Scott Storch, and more. Now, Hud is looking to continue his ascent, bringing his Southern influence to the fold on standout tracks like “Wipe The Slate Clean.” Drawing inspiration from the game’s top moguls, Big Dawg’s ambitions are matched only by his potential.  

If you’re looking to get a better understanding of Big Dawg Johnson, his music, his goals, and those who helped shape him, we’ve got an exclusive Q&A for your benefit below. 

HNHH: Where are you from? How has your home influenced your sound and style?

Big Dawg Johnson:I’m from Dallas, Tx. My sound was heavily influenced by southern artists like T.I. & UGK & Future.

Describe your sound in three words.

Feel Good Music

How old are you? Does age matter in music?

Age doesn’t matter as long as you can relate & get your message across to your targeted demographic.

What’s the last album you listened to?

Dej Loaf new project It’s A Setup. My production team actually produced a record on it called “Technical Foul”.

Name your top three biggest influences.

Too Short, Diddy, Master P all for mogul & pioneer reasons.

Name your dream collaboration.

To Rap on a Dr. Dre/Scott Storch beat.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

UGK’s Riding Dirty.

What’s your favorite hip-hop sub-genre at the moment?

Drill Rap. RIP Pop Smoke.

Back in 2019, HNHH and TuneCore partnered up for an 11-week series as a way to showcase some of the best new artists in the industry. The “Heat Seekers” contest has become a staple of the website, with a plethora of young artists submitting their music and getting featured on HNHH. At the end of last year’s contest, one artist was picked to come by the HNHH studio and have a recording session with an experienced producer. In 2020, HNHH and TuneCore have returned with a new edition of “Heat Seekers” that will see 12 artists get featured over the next 12 months. For those who think their music is worthy of becoming featured as part of the “Heat Seekers” initiative, you can submit your music to enter the contest, here.

For this month’s edition of the “Heat Seekers” contest, we are excited to feature Gangtivity rapper Fleego. The Brooklyn artist started to make waves when a track he was featured on, “Gangtivity,” was placed in an episode of Nigel Sylvester’s “GO DUBAI” series. Fleego’s musical styles were established within him at a young age as he was born in Philadelphia, yet raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn to a Jamaican household. As Fleego describes, he is influenced by hip-hop, trap music, and some more melodic music, as well. These influences shine in his music, including his latest body of work which is a 5-track EP called Before The Storm. On this EP, Fleego tells personal stories that will get listeners invested from the jump. He also makes sure to include various flows and an upbeat tempo in order to keep things fun.

To acquaint yourself with Fleego, check out the Q&A we did with him, below.

(HNHH) Where are you from? How has your home influenced your sound/style?

(F) Born In Philadelphia, But raised in Brooklyn,NY my whole life. My home influenced my style a lot. I grew up in flatbush which I considered the multi diverse caribbean side of Brooklyn and I come from a Jamaican background so growing up my mother would always play a lot of classic reggae, 90 R&B. The when I go outside I would get introduced to the hip hop rap side of things.

Describe your sound in three words.

Smooth, melodic, rap

How old are you? Does age matter to music?

I’m 27. Age does matter to me, it all depends on the situation. Like when it comes to dating, of course!. But as in ideas and learning new skills, I would say no because their isn’t a age limit on that “young people keep old one’s young and the old people keep the young ones structured” so my ears and attention is open to all ages when it comes to that.

What’s the last album you listened to?

Ghetto Fabolous.

Name your top 3 biggest influences.

Jay-Z, Drake, & Kanye

Name your dream collaboration.

My dream collaboration will be a track with drake.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Fabolous – Street Dreams

What’s your favorite hip-hop sub-genre at the moment?

I don’t really have a favorite I’m very musically inclined so I like all genres, I feel they all have they own unique way of putting things and I accept them all.

Make sure you check out some of Fleego’s music in the HNHH x TuneCore “Heat Seekers” playlist, below. Also, be sure to stay tuned as over the coming weeks, TuneCore and HNHH will be unveiling our other “Heat Seekers” winners.

About TuneCore: 

Many independent artists wonder how to get their music on Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Tidal, and other stores. The reality is, you don’t have to be signed to a major label – all you need is a digital distributor.

We recommend using industry leader TuneCore if you’re looking for a trustworthy and transparent service. For an affordable fee, TuneCore will host your album or single on all the major stores and streaming platforms. You get to keep all your rights and 100% of the sales revenue.

Last year, HNHH and TuneCore teamed up for an 11-week series which showcased some of the best up and coming independent talent in the industry. The “Heat Seekers” contest was a huge success as we had numerous artists submit their music. At the end of it all, one artist was given the chance to partake in a live recording session with a famous producer at our very own HNHH studio. Well, the contest is back except this time around we will be featuring one artist a month for the next 12 months. Did you do that math yet? If so, that means we will be featuring 12 artists who will all compete for a shot at the live session. You can even submit your music to enter the contest, right here.

The first artist on our list is none other than Tye Harris who comes straight out of the Red Bird areas of Dallas, Texas. Harris isn’t your typical rapper as he actually comes from an opera background. The Dallas MC got to be a part of his school choir while growing up and was even classically trained. This allowed him to stand out from the rest of his classmates and he eventually earned some University scholarships. Adding to Harris’ impressive upbringing is the fact that he played varsity basketball.

Recently, Harris released his first single, “Tornado.” The track was produced by Marz Beats and if you listen to Harris’ delivery, you will immediately notice that he is letting his opera training shine through. In fact, Harris is looking to push this sound further and has even enlisted super-producer Supah Mario to help do so.

To get a better idea of Tye Harris as an artist, check out the Q&A we did with him, below.

(HNHH) Where are you from? How has your home influenced your sound/style? 

(TH) I’m from Dallas, Tx (Red Bird areas to be exact). All my past experiences in my hometown are what I gain inspiration from.

Describe your sound in three words.

Melodic, Lyrical& Vibrant.

How old are you?

I’m 25 but I feel like age doesn’t matter as long as you can connect with an audience.

What’s the last album you listened to?

Lil Uzi – Eternal Atake

Name your top 3 biggest influences?

Mozart, Ice Cube, & Korn

Name your dream collaboration?

Me & Katy Perry Fasho 

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Ice Cube – Death Certificate 

What’s your favorite hip-hop sub-genre at the moment?

HipHopera Trap Opera

You can check out some of Tye Harris’ music in the HNHH x TuneCore “Heat Seekers” playlist, below. Also, be sure to stay tuned in the coming weeks as TuneCore and HNHH will be unveiling some of our other “Heat Seekers” winners.

About TuneCore: 

Many independent artists wonder how to get their music on Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Tidal, and other stores. The reality is, you don’t have to be signed to a major label – all you need is a digital distributor.

We recommend using industry leader TuneCore if you’re looking for a trustworthy and transparent service. For an affordable fee, TuneCore will host your album or single on all the major stores and streaming platforms. You get to keep all your rights and 100% of the sales revenue.