Charlie Heat
Ernest Brown (born November 10, 1989),[1][2] professionally known as Charlie Heat, is an American record producer, songwriter and record executive. In 2015, he signed to Very Good Beats, a subsidiary of GOOD Music, which was run at the time by Kanye West.[3] Since making his debut into the mainstream music realm, Brown has worked with a wide array of artists such as Denzel Curry, Lil Uzi Vert, Tommy Genesis, Madonna, Ty Dolla Sign, Young Buck, J. Cole, Gucci Mane and Travis Scott among others. Charlie Heat is the only producer featured on the track list for the Kanye West album The Life of Pablo.[4]
Charlie Heat
Ernest Brown
November 10, 1989
Woodbury, New Jersey, U.S.
- Record producer
- songwriter
- record executive
2011–present
- Very Good Beats
- Columbia
- House of 99
Early life[edit]
Brown was born in Woodbury, New Jersey on November 10, 1989.[5][2] His mother was an immigration lawyer and his father was a musician. Early on in life, Brown was highly interested in basketball and music.[6] Allen Iverson was a muse for the young boy.[6] According to Brown, his father highly influenced his musical interest, and while they attended a viewing of Drumline, Brown decided to solely focus on music.[6] He attended Clark Atlanta University on a musical scholarship as a part of the drumline at HBCUs.[7] It was here that he received the alias "The Human Torch", which would later transform into Charlie Heat.[6]
Influences[edit]
Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Selena and Rick James have been cited as influences, and inspired him through their musical works. There is a noticeable Latin sound in the works of Charlie Heat, as evident in the song "Undercover", and this influence is partly due to his interest in music from Mexican-American vocalist Selena, and Cuban vocalist, Celia Cruz, a notable Cuban singer.[8] Charlie had piano instruction by his father at an early age, and this was a positive influence that has helped shape the talented producer into a great force in the recording industry.[9]
Critical reception[edit]
HotNewHipHop wrote of Heat's "impressive production discography", praising “Facts (Charlie Heat Version)” from The Life of Pablo.[10]
Danny Schwartz wrote about Heat's remix of Gucci Mane's song "Trap House" saying of it, "His remix of the song is the standout of his new 5-track EP of remixes, Till August."[11]
Bryan Hahn wrote that "Charlie Heat is a name you’ll be seeing a lot more of in 2017."[12] Hahn also wrote: "He’s been consistently delivering quality remixes."[12] In a later article, Hahn wrote that, "Charlie Heat had a great 2016. And he’s not kicking back to rest on his laurels."[13]
Christopher Harris, writing in HipHopDx, calls him "...an upstart beat-maker who has already worked on tracks for Madonna, Pusha T, Kanye and Vic Mensa."[14]
James Elliott, writing for Complex, said that "Charlie Heat might not be on your radar yet, but he will be when this year is over."[3]