Stereo Six: Jesusdapnk Slices Up Some of His All-Time Favourite Songs

If you’re already missing summer, then perhaps Jesusdapnk’s new album will resonate with you. The House producer and DJ released his debut record, Summer Heartstrings, this past June via Junior Sanchez’s Brobot Records. Featuring eight tracks, the album is meant to romanticize the summer season and what we value about it. Listening to these tracks may prompt you to contemplate the beach, warm, muggy nights, summer flings of your past, and childhood memories. Jesusdapnk has a perfect summer sound, unique, smooth, and dreamy all in one.

Although Summer Heartstrings is his debut, he has been making music for many years. His sound is characterized by its atmospheric soundscapes, deep basslines, and intricate rhythms. While it’s certainly a sound worthy of a club, Jesusdapnk is not that one-dimensional. He is a listener of many different genres, including jazz, funk, and soul. He tries to incorporate these influences into his sound.

You’ll get a sense of his wide-ranging musical tastes in this, our latest Stereo Six. The producer and DJ joins us to share six songs that have had an important influence on him as an artist.

1. Notorious B.I.G. – “Me and My Bitch” (Remastered) (1994, Bad Boy Records)

“‘Me and My Bitch’ is one of my favourite tracks in the hip-hop genre. This song tells a compelling story that builds up from a romantic beginning to a tragic ending. It’s a perfect example of what being a creative musician is all about. Biggie Smalls is one of my favourite artists of all time; his tracks are all 10 out of 10 for me. His music is real and ruthless, filled with emotion and the struggles of life, as well as overcoming them by any means necessary.

“Biggie’s ability to express his feelings and struggles through his music is truly inspiring. The remastered version of ‘Me and My Bitch’ particularly stands out with its clear flipping and chopping of samples. This track inspires me in my own music, especially in how to creatively manipulate samples.”

2. Roberta Flack – “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (1975, Atlantic Records)

“This song is a significant inspiration for me, especially when producing vocal tracks with vocalists like my girlfriend, Ivonne Calvillo. The mellow, sweet, yet groovy nature of the song, along with Roberta Flack’s voice, creates a spectacular experience. This track helps me relax and clear my mind, often serving as inspiration when I overthink or overanalyze things. It’s also a great song for sampling, with unique sounds that stand out. I’ve sampled this track in various works, always making sure to chop and flip everything to make it my own. It’s always a bit magical to work with its groove.”

3. Village People – “Just a Gigolo” (1978, Mercury Records)

“‘Just a Gigolo’ is one of my favourite tracks by the Village People. The high-energy disco sound and fun elements make it a standout. Growing up with parents who played a lot of disco music, the Village People were always part of the collection. This song is catchy and has excellent bass and guitar lines that are great for chopping and sampling. I’m a big fan of the Village People and consider them one of the greatest groups of all time.”

4. Patrick Hernandez – “Born to Be Alive” (1978, Columbia Records)

“Similar to the Village People, ‘Born to Be Alive’ is one of the best disco tracks ever. The fun groove, guitar riff, and overall euphoria of the song always put me in a good mood, especially when I’m on vacation or just having a good time. The song has many amazing sounds that can be flipped and chopped for sampling purposes, making it a favourite for creating new grooves. It’s a song I highly recommend to anyone interested in disco music.”

5. Spice 1 – “Born II Die” (2021, Thug World Music Group)

“Growing up in the early ’90s, I was exposed to a lot of gangsta music through my older siblings. This genre, especially from the late ’80s and early ’90s, always stood out to me for its meaningful and passionate expression, even when it involved controversial themes like violence. ‘Born II Die’ epitomizes gangsta music for me, telling a straightforward story of gangbanging. I admire the talent and passion Spice 1 put into this song, and it continues to inspire me in my music, especially with its unique beats and samples.”

6. 50 Cent – “Many Men” (2003, Interscope Records)

“‘Many Men’ is one of the most gangster tracks of all time, telling a story of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Growing up with 50 Cent’s music in the early 2000s, this song stood out to me with its fat beat and catchy hook. It inspires me to sample and flip beats uniquely in my music. 50 Cent’s distinctive voice adds depth to the track, making it a significant influence in my hip-hop journey.”

Jesusdapnk ‘Summer Heartstrings’ album artwork