HEDEGAARD on his OneHundred Label, New Projects, and Car Music [Interview]

With his gritty, bass-driven take on electronic music, HEDEGAARD has become a defining voice in the Nordic music scene and beyond. First making waves in 2011 with his viral remix of Dr. Dre’s ‘The Next Episode’, the Danish producer has since amassed over 1.5 billion streams, carving out his own lane in what’s now known as Car Music. From the anthemic pull of’ ‘Happy Home’ and ‘Twerk It Like Miley’ to recent high-voltage club cuts like ‘JUMANJI’ and ‘SA-MY-D’, his work balances pop sensibility with raw energy. In 2023, he launched his own label OneHundred in partnership with Spinnin’ Records, further cementing his vision and reach. With massive traction in China, a growing global presence, and a no-ghost-producer ethos that’s rare in today’s EDM landscape, HEDEGAARD is not just riding the wave – he’s engineering it.

Read our interview with this and listen to his latest single, ‘THE MADNESS (With I.D.O.)’ below.

Paint us a picture: what sparked your passion for the arts in the first place? Was there a single moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue this path?
I grew up surrounded by “real” music — always playing piano and jamming in bands. But I clearly remember one night as a teenager, being at a party and hearing Trentemøller’s remix of ‘What Else Is There’. I had no idea music could sound that cool. That moment lit the spark for my passion for electronic music.

When you create, what leads the way – a feeling, a story, or the sound itself?
Most of the time, the idea comes when I’m out and about — maybe after a gig or just hanging with friends. I’ll record a quick voice memo; it could be a lyric idea, a melody, or a sound concept. I always focus on making something different. Like when I made the remix of Dr. Dre’s ‘The Next Episode’ — I was at a party and thought, “Man, it’s such a shame the best part only comes at the very end — ‘Smoke weed every day’.” That’s how my process often kicks off.

What’s in your toolkit? Share the gear, gadgets, or software you can’t create without.
MacBook Pro, Logic Pro X, Serum, Yamaha HS8 monitors, Waves Plugins, and SoundToys. I’m also pretty creative with Splice — but I never just drop in a ready-made sample. I always twist it and make it my own.

What’s your go-to ritual or trick for getting into the creative zone?
I need to get all my emails, meetings, and calls out of the way first. Then I mentally shift into “play mode” — I allow myself to just explore without thinking about deadlines or to-do lists. Nighttime is best, when nothing can interrupt. I also love creating with friends — artists, rappers, singers. Feeding off each other’s energy makes the process feel more social and alive.

What’s the one item you always keep within arm’s reach while creating or performing?
Coffee when I’m producing. Energy drinks when I’m DJing.

How did you ultimately end up defining your sound?
I shaped my sound by blending hip hop, electronic, and pop elements, but always keeping the focus on raw, heavy energy. Over time, it evolved into a style that now has its own label: Car Music. Today, we even have a label called OneHundred, where we release that sound in partnership with Spinnin’ Records.

Walk us through a recording session: what’s the most memorable moment you’ve had in the studio?
Recording ‘Happy Home’ with Lukas Graham is something I’ll never forget. It was just the two of us — like two friends having a deep conversation late at night. That vibe turned into the song. It was real, honest, and raw.

Are there any unexpected or dream collaborations hidden in your work?
Hip Hop has always had my heart, especially when it blends with electronic music. So, it would be a dream to collaborate with a major rapper someday.

Any side projects you’re working on?
Right now, I’m 100% focused on making new music and performing live. I also spend time running my label OneHundred, where we’re building the car music sound beyond just me — with artists like Matt Hawk, CANCUN?, and I.D.O. We’re also working on signing even more talent.

Who’s an emerging artist you think deserves more recognition right now?
Mike Candys. He’s already pretty established, but I think he’s doing an amazing job reviving older genres in a super creative way. His sound is unique, and it works so well live. I actually play a lot of his tracks in my sets.

What’s the strangest or most surprising song currently on your playlist?
Honestly? I love some of the older Katy Perry tracks — like ‘I Kissed a Girl’ and ‘Roar’. They’re just insanely well-written pop songs. I used to produce pop music for other artists too, so I appreciate the craft behind songs like that.

Which song, album or playlist do you never get sick of no matter how many times you listen to it?
Dr. Dre – ‘2001’. Every single time. Never gets old.

Are there any unexpected hobbies or projects you’re exploring outside of your main work?
I’m into investing and learning about stock markets and financial psychology. It’s my way of balancing the creative chaos with something more structured.

See also

If your life and career were an album, what would its title be, and what’s the hidden track only your fans would know?
Album title: Balance in Chaos.
Hidden track: a soft piano instrumental. I sometimes write emotional piano pieces just for myself. They’re just voice memos sitting on my phone right now — maybe one day I’ll actually score them and release a piano album.

Give us a glimpse into the future – what surprises or milestones are coming up for you this year?
More new music, more touring, and some big moves toward expanding my sound into new markets — especially the US and Asia.

Famous last words?
“Without music, life would be a mistake.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Check out his latest single, a ferociously explosive collaboration with CANCUN?, Matt Hawk, and I.D.O:

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Spotify – Youtube – Facebook – Instagram – TikTok