Article Written By: Jennifer Bumpus

Kellen Shimizu, aka The HitMan, is not a name you’ll soon be forgetting. This guy-genius is as essential
to music as a half-step is to a keyboard, and he’s reppin’ the NW too! Born and raised in Washington, he
graduated from Newport High School, followed on to complete his B.A. at Washington State University
(Go Cougs!), and now resides in the Greenlake area. The HitMan began to produce music shortly after
graduating high school. During the summer between high school and freshman year of college, he was
able to save up enough money to buy a Korg Triton Studio. The full synthesizer workstation remains his
main piece of equipment to this day! A classically trained pianist since age 4… he has an AMAZING ear
for music.

Simply, he knows what works and what doesn’t.

As a musician turned music producer/composer, he thrives off of composing the instrumental
component of a song. His knowledge of R&B, Pop, and Rap/Hip Hop genres, all help to form his unique
sound. He makes the process of producing look so effortless and natural, in continuing to prove the true
measure of the harmonic progression he represents.

He’s worked with various NW vocalists thus far on his own productions. His YouTube videos feature
song covers, incorporating (and in most cases) enhancing the original song. He actually had his remix of
Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” played on radio stations both in Seattle and in San Francisco. The HitMan is also
featured playing his keyboard with the lead singer of “Electic Approach” on YouTube. Furthermore, ever
heard of Kevin McCall? The HitMan actually produced a couple of songs with the grammy nominated
producer and songwriter in college!

As for his inspiration, The HitMan had this to say:

“[I’m inspired by] JR Rotem because his music production catches you from the first note ‘til the last.
He learned how to play the piano the same way I did. [And] Stargate. They to me are the pioneers of
the house/euro/pop fusion in America. They moved to America in hopes to take over the music scene
after their smash hit “I’m Blue” by Eiffel 65 in both the UK & US charted them in the top 5. They got their
first artist in New York, an up-and-coming no named solo R&B songwriter named, Ne-Yo. And then very
shortly after they had much success teaming up with Ne-Yo, they linked up with a young girl from the
Dominican that we all now know as Rihanna. I know the stories behind probably 10 or more mainstream
producers – they’re all inspirational to me, they all have their own individual stories of having a vision, a
dream, and being able to find a way to make a living out of it. These are the two producers that stick out
the most to me.”

When asked who he’d like to work with, he responded:

“This is a tough question for a producer. Producers are typically working with vocalists/songwriters
to come out with a song together, but producers also collaborate and work with other producers. So,
if I were to work with an artist (vocalist), I would want to work with Rihanna or Drake. Their style of music and the way they ride the beat would accompany the style of music I compose. If it were another
producer I would want to work with, it would probably be JR Rotem or Tha Bizness. They both have a
piano background and [I] would be able to probably learn the most from them. [Eventually] I’d like to be
able to make this into a career. The big picture goal is to be a producer that has hit singles on the charts
and radio internationally.”

THIS GAL is definitely already a huge fan of the HitMan! I encourage you all to check him
out on Facebook , & on Twitter  —–> @theHitManBEATZ and listen to some originals at Sound Cloud.

Let us know what you think!