Every once in a while I run into a record I've never heard of, even though it's been out for a while. "We Run the Night," by Australian DJ-turned-recording-artist Havana Brown, is one of those records, and I'm surprised it didn't become a pop smash in the United States.
It boasts over 29 million video hits to date, but it could have been even bigger than that -- I wonder if it got lost in the shuffle at the record label?
Prior to signing a deal with super-producer Red One, Havana was no stranger to arena stages and crowds as the official DJ for Britney Spears' last UK tour.
Other big names she has rocked DJ sets for on tour include Rihanna, Pussycat Dolls, and Chris Brown. Born Angelique Meunier, she's explained before why she chose the name Havana Brown: "It's actually the name of a rare cat, so being that female DJs were somewhat rare back when I started, it was a good fit."
Havana also tells a story of her only backstage encounter with Lady Gaga back when she was touring with the Pussycat Dolls -- Gaga kept staring at Havana until, realizing she had been caught, she suddenly ran along.
Looking more like a high glam supermodel than a DJ, Havana puts on her best seduction moves in this video, featuring Mr. Worldwide, Pitbull:
This is definitely a record designed to be played for club crowds, with plenty of energy and that notorious pounding 4/4 club beat. With those pretty green eyes she could very well be the prettiest DJ in the game -- as a matter of fact she's so pretty that in the beginning many wouldn't take her seriously as a DJ, almost as if to say, "You belong on a runway, not in a club."
But she takes satisfying her crowds very seriously and continues to pursue both careers, rising as a recording artist and booking international DJ sets all over the map. In May of this year she will be firing up HAVEN night club in Atlantic City before heading back to Melbourne Australia. In early June, she will return to the United States, hitting a few spots in Hollywood.
Although she has released a few more singles since -- including her most recent, "Big Banana" -- I feel her best single may have been slightly overlooked. Either way, it was exciting for me to hear her for the first time, and I'm happy to share it with you. I hope all of you enjoy Havana Brown and her music as much as I did.
Blessings, Love & Music! MC Magic
