Beyond The Songs: The Cataracs

Over the past couple years the clubs have invaded radio and the pop scene with one dance anthem after another. DJ’s and music producers have become the featured staples of today’s music, lending their pulse thumping, house driven jams to the hip-hop and pop genres.

Beyond The Songs: The Cataracs

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Two of the culprits that burst onto the scene last year are Niles “Cyrano” Hollowell-Dhar and David “Campa” Singer-Vine, better known as The Cataracs. The presumably catchiest song of 2010 and number one hit, “Like a G6” put the The Cataracs on the map and have shot them from relatively unknowns to one of the most sought after music producers today.

The journey for Cyrano and Campa started in Berkeley, Calif. early on in high school after Singer-Vine released a rap CD and Hollowell-Dhar responded with a diss track to his now collaborating partner. The track however squashed their small beef and brought both together to start creating music. Using computer software, the duo began crafting beats for themselves and Bay area musicians.

After graduating from high school Niles and David briefly attended college, but both dropped out to focus on music as a career. The Cataracs’ buzz rapidly grew in the Bay with produced-tracks for local rappers and compounded with their breakout track “2nite” featuring then little-known Dev.

The Cataracs’ success is coincidentally linked to the discovery of Dev by Niles and David. Niles invited Dev out to his home to record a few tracks after finding her on Myspace. The perfect infusion of Dev’s unique voice and The Cataracs’ bass-thumping club tracks began getting recognition by record labels. With one of their first major label produced and co-written tracks, The Cataracs found gold with the Far East Movement and Dev featuring chart topper, “Like a G6.”

Following the success of “Like a G6,” the tandem created another hit with frequent collaborator, Dev and her first official single “Bass Down Low.” The second produced hit had major artists calling for produced tracks.

After working with New Boyz on their hit-single “Backseat,” The Cataracs began working with 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and Jason Derulo on their upcoming albums. Along with their work with hip-hop superstars the California natives have also released their own single “Top of the World.” Their first official single is a precursor to their first major album set for release in late 2011.

With a joint venture from Universal and Indie-Pop labels, The Cataracs have found full support and have quickly made their prints in the music business and solidified their spots as the premiere producers in hip-hop and pop music. Bridging the gap from high school to mainstream beat makers has happened fast for the 23-year-olds, but with hard work and an ear for hits, The Cataracs will continue to make the clubs and the radio vibrate with their thunderous tracks.

-Ethan Gunns