Henny's Mixtape Makes A Name For Northern Virginia Hip Hop

Northern Virginia isn’t usually known as a hip hop hot bed, but this week the Internet tuned in to the sounds inspired by its suburban sprawl, as Henny dropped his debut mixtape “Get 'Em Drunk Volume 1,” on March 1. It saw more than 3,000 downloads in just three days.

The tape is hosted by D.J. Rob of Target Squad Records who has worked with hip hop heavyweights 50 Cent and Lil Wayne in the past.  It is also co-hosted by D.J. Ill Will, the owner of hotnewhiphop.com.

Henny, a Northern Virginia native, says his music is greatly inspired by the cultural melting pot of the area, and it shows: his mixtape features a wide variety of techno, hip hop and club-inspired beats. 

“Nova is a really mixed area, you could be at a red light and someone is bumping Gucci Mane and then at the next light you hear some Jersey Shore type of song and that’s what you get when you listen to my mixtape,” Henny said, referring to how the area has inspired his songs. “Its not like Maryland or D.C., a lot of people that listen to hip hop here also listen to Britney Spears and Kesha. I’m all about originality, I’m not here to make the same music that you heard before.”

What’s even more impressive is how he has grown his buzz without the backing of a major record label.

 While interning for Target Squad, he recorded a remix to Kesha’s 2009 hit single “Tik Tok,” which impressed DJ Rob and enjoyed lots of club spins in Washington.

Shortly after that, Henny did a remix to Wiz Khalefea’s “Ink my whole body,” renaming it “Drink my whole cup.”  He shot an impromptu video for “Drink My Whole Cup” at James Madison University’s annual Springfest.  “That was the song that really started getting me a buzz, especially in Nova,” said Henny.  “It was just the perfect song for that party and it really shows how these Nova kids like to party.”

In 2010, Henny did performances on tour stops for Wiz Khalifea, J Cole and Big Sean, with no album or mixtape out.

And now, in releasing his mixtape online, Henny is taking great advantage of the new portal that the Internet has created for artists to pave their way independently to stardom, without the cost or baggage of a record label.

Parents of his younger listeners shouldn't be deterred by the name of his first mixtape, though, he said.

 “Even with the whole get em drunk movement, you can see on my mixtape we put a disclaimer,” Henny said, seemingly knowing the reaction he would get from certain demographics. “I knew people would hate and talk about the whole get 'em drunk movement but I still say party responsibly.”

     On Saturday March 5th Henny will celebrate the release of his first ever mixtape with his official mixtape release party at Ibiza night club in Washington. You can download Henny’s new mixtape on hotnewhiphop.com