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Smash David

Samuel David Jimenez, known professionally as Smash David, is an American , songwriter, and from , , of descent. Raised in a musical family where he played in church from a young age, Jimenez adopted the stage name Smash David and began producing beats over a decade ago using software. David rose to prominence in the mid-2010s with a series of chart-topping productions in and R&B, including Big Sean's "" from the 2017 album I Decided., which peaked at number six on the and was certified six-times platinum by the RIAA. He also produced Khalid's breakout single "" from the 2017 EP American Teen, which reached number 16 on the and earned diamond certification from the RIAA for ten million units sold in the United States. Additional notable credits include co-production on Chris Brown's "" featuring , , and from the 2017 album , certified three-times platinum by the RIAA. Throughout his career, David has collaborated with a wide array of artists across genres, including , , , , , , and in and R&B. He expanded into in the late 2010s, producing Bad Bunny's "" (2021) and "" (2023), the latter nominated for Record of the Year at the 25th . His signature , "Got, got it on smash," has become recognizable in his beats, emphasizing infectious melodies and drum patterns. David's work has earned significant accolades, including a Grammy Award nomination for in Best Rap Performance. In the Latin music field, he received a nomination at the 25th (2024) for for by and contributed to Bad Bunny's 2025 album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, which won and Best Urban Music Album at the 26th (November 13, 2025). With multi-platinum certifications and ongoing projects blending , , and Latin influences, David continues to shape contemporary music from his home studio.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Samuel David Jimenez, professionally known as Smash David, was born in , where he spent his early childhood. His family relocated to the at a young age due to his parents' work as , settling in , . Of descent, Jimenez was raised in Miami's diverse cultural landscape, which shaped his personal foundations. Jimenez grew up in a musical family environment deeply intertwined with their religious commitments. His parents' missionary roles provided him with early exposure to through church activities, fostering an appreciation for and performance in a communal setting. This familial dynamic emphasized as an integral part of daily life and spiritual expression, influencing his worldview without delving into technical instruction.

Early musical experiences

Smash David's initial foray into music occurred during his youth in , where he was immersed in church settings that fostered his passion for rhythm and sound. Growing up in a family involved in missionary work, he was exposed to vibrant musical environments within the local community, which provided his first structured outlet for creativity. His primary instrument in these early years was the drums, which he played regularly in services, honing a foundational sense of timing and through live performances. This hands-on involvement in music not only built his technical skills but also instilled an appreciation for the emotional power of percussion in communal settings. Self-taught from the start, David relied on observation and repetition rather than formal lessons, gradually developing an intuitive ear for patterns influenced by traditions. Before transitioning to digital production, David's experimentation with sounds took a tangible form; he spent years secretly assembling a custom , incorporating unique elements to expand his sonic palette beyond standard setups. These formative activities, rooted in and , sparked his lifelong curiosity about blending rhythmic complexity with spiritual expression, laying the groundwork for his distinctive approach to beats.

Professional career

Entry into music production

Smash David transitioned from live drumming to digital music production in the mid-2010s, leveraging his foundational skills in rhythm and percussion to explore beat-making software. He adopted as his primary production tool around 2010, drawn to its intuitive interface, automation capabilities, and flexibility for crafting original drum kits and melodies without relying on presets—a practice he developed over three years of experimentation. This shift allowed him to create versatile tracks spanning R&B, pop, and , marking his entry into professional production. David's first official production credit arrived in 2015 on the track "Dreams Are Real" from Tinashe's mixtape , where he co-produced alongside Mae N. Maejor. The song, a reflective R&B piece, showcased his emerging style of blending smooth melodies with intricate drum programming, helping to establish his presence in the industry. This credit represented a pivotal breakthrough after years of honing his craft independently. Early in his career, David networked within Miami's dynamic music scene, building connections that facilitated his affiliation with Winners Circle Music, a and collective known for supporting emerging talents. Through these opportunities, he began collaborating with other producers and artists, laying the groundwork for future placements while based in the city's vibrant creative environment.

Breakthrough successes

Smash David's breakthrough in the scene occurred with his co-production on Big Sean's "," released on October 31, 2016, as the lead single from the album I Decided. The track was primarily produced by and Smash David, featuring additional production from and Amaire Johnson, and incorporated a trap-influenced beat that complemented Sean's resilient lyrical themes. "Bounce Back" debuted at number 46 on the and climbed to a peak of number 6, marking Big Sean's highest-charting single up to that point and spending 20 weeks on the chart. It also reached number 2 on the chart, driven by strong streaming performance with over 25 million streams in its peak week. The song's commercial impact was further evidenced by its as 6× Platinum, signifying over 6 million equivalent units sold in the United States, which established David's ability to craft hits for major artists. Building on this momentum, David contributed to early collaborative tracks with around 2017-2018, including production on the freestyle mashup "Set It Off x Better" and multiple songs from Lanez's LoVE me NOw, such as "B.I.D." and "TAlk tO Me" featuring . These efforts, often created in fast-paced studio sessions emphasizing Lanez's improvisational style, generated industry buzz and contributed to David's growing catalog of multi-platinum credits, solidifying his profile in R&B and production circles.

Ongoing collaborations

Smash David's partnership with began prominently in 2017 with his production on the track "" from the album , marking a key entry into R&B production that extended into broader urban soundscapes in subsequent years. This collaboration influenced his approach to layered beats and melodic hooks, which carried over into later R&B and projects, adapting to evolving trends like trap-infused rhythms and genre-blending elements. From 2021 onward, Smash David deepened his ties to Latin urban music through contributions to Bad Bunny's releases, including co-production on "," a track that showcased futuristic synths and emotional depth, earning acclaim for its global crossover appeal. His work extended to 2023's "" on Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, where he helped craft a high-energy trap- fusion featuring interpolated samples and driving basslines; the album received Grammy nominations for Best Música Urbana Album and related categories, highlighting the track's impact. These efforts reflect Smash David's adaptation to the rising dominance of and urban fusions in the , blending percussion with tropical elements. In the 2020s, Smash David expanded his collaborations, including production on Drake's 2025 single "Dog House" featuring Julia Wolf and from the forthcoming album Iceman, incorporating moody synths and rapid-fire flows to align with contemporary and emo-rap trends. This built on his earlier roots, working with other R&B and rap artists to explore atmospheric production styles amid shifting urban music landscapes. By 2025, Smash David's projects emphasized his versatility in urban trends, co-producing multiple tracks on Cardi B's AM I THE DRAMA?, such as the introspective "" featuring with its soulful R&B undertones and the aggressive "Killin You Hoes" driven by hard-hitting 808s. These contributions, alongside "Hello," underscore his role in bridging bravado with melodic vulnerability, adapting to the era's emphasis on female-led narratives and genre experimentation in urban music up to November 2025.

Notable productions

Work with Big Sean

Smash David's collaboration with Big Sean began in 2016 with the production of the track "Bounce Back," marking a pivotal moment in their professional relationship. As co-producer alongside Hitmaka, with additional contributions from Metro Boomin and Amaire Johnson, Smash David crafted the beat initially envisioning it for Future, but it ultimately suited Big Sean's motivational delivery after a development process spanning nearly a year. The creative process between Smash David and Big Sean emphasized adaptability and iteration, as seen in "Bounce Back," where the producer adjusted the instrumental to align with Sean's introspective yet triumphant lyrical themes after initial sessions that included unrecorded contributions from other artists like Future. Their dynamic evolved from this single-focused effort into a trusted rapport by 2017, with Smash David providing beats that amplified Big Sean's signature blend of confidence and vulnerability, though no formal live sessions beyond standard studio work have been publicly detailed. This progression solidified their synergy within the trap and hip-hop scenes, where Smash David's input helped refine Big Sean's sound for mainstream appeal. "" significantly propelled Big Sean's career, debuting as the from his album I Decided and achieving his highest solo peak at number six on the , while earning six-times platinum certification for over six million units sold. The track's success contributed to I Decided topping the with 151,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, reinforcing Big Sean's status as a commercial force in . For Smash David, the collaboration elevated his profile, establishing him as a key architect of trap anthems and opening doors to further high-profile placements in the genre. Unique to their collaborations, Smash David's beats featured robust structures, including thunderous bass lines and rapid patterns that created a propulsive, resilient energy mirroring Big Sean's lyrical resilience. In "Bounce Back," the production incorporated sampled elements from Drake and Future's "" for added texture, with minimalistic synth stabs and a bouncing that allowed Sean's double-time flows to shine without overcrowding the mix.

Productions for other artists

Smash David's production work extends far beyond , encompassing R&B, pop, and Latin urban genres, where he has collaborated with artists like , , and to create hits that blend melodic introspection with rhythmic innovation. His ability to adapt his signature trap-infused sound to diverse vocal styles has earned him credits on multi-platinum releases, highlighting his role in bridging mainstream pop accessibility with underground edge. These contributions underscore his versatility, as he often co-produces with teams like The Martianz or to refine beats for global appeal. A pivotal early credit came with Khalid's 2016 single "Location," which Smash David co-produced with Syk Sense and Tunji Ige, crafting a minimalist, echoing beat that propelled the track to No. 16 on the and over a billion streams worldwide. In R&B circles, he co-produced Chris Brown's 2017 hit "" from the album , incorporating hazy synths and percussive traps that complemented the ensemble's features with , , and . Later, on Brown's 2019 album , Smash David contributed to tracks like "Dear God," applying similar atmospheric production techniques amid collaborations with producers such as and . His work with includes the 2015 track "Dreams Are Real" and co-producing "Link Up" and "Throw a Fit" on her 2018 and 2019 projects, where he layered buoyant basslines and vocal chops to enhance her ethereal pop-R&B aesthetic. In and , Smash David has supported artists like and , producing freestyles and album cuts that emphasize raw energy and replay value. For Lanez, he handled beats for "Friends Become Strangers" in 2020 and co-produced multiple tracks on Love Me Now? (2022), including contributions with that fused melodic flows with hard-hitting 808s. With , he co-produced "I Can't Sleep" on the 2022 Kutthroat Bill: Vol. 1, teaming with Honorable C.N.O.T.E. and G Koop to deliver a brooding, introspective sound. Emerging talents have also benefited from his touch, such as Duki's 2021 "Ticket" and Iggy Azalea's "Sip It" featuring that same year, where Smash David infused rhythms into English-language hooks. Smash David's foray into Latin music has been particularly impactful through his ongoing partnership with Bad Bunny, contributing to the genre's global dominance in the 2020s. He co-produced tracks on Bad Bunny's 2022 album Un Verano Sin Ti, including blending dembow and trap elements. He also co-produced the 2021 standalone hit "Yonaguni," blending dembow rhythms with shimmering synths to achieve over 1.5 billion YouTube views and a top-10 Billboard Hot 100 peak. On Bad Bunny's 2023 album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, Smash David provided production on tracks like "Los Pits" and "FINA" (with Young Miko), working alongside Tainy and MAG to integrate urban trap elements into reggaeton frameworks. These efforts, including features on singles like "Teléfono Nuevo" with Luar La L, have solidified his influence in Latin urban albums, earning Grammy nominations for urban music categories. In 2025, he co-produced tracks on Bad Bunny's DeBí Tirar Más Fotos, earning a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Música Urbana Album.

Awards and accolades

Grammy nominations

Smash David has received Grammy nominations in recognition of his production and songwriting contributions to hip-hop and urban music projects. His nominations span multiple years and categories, though he has yet to win. At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018, David earned two nominations for work on 2016–2017 releases: Best Rap Performance for co-producing Big Sean's "Bounce Back" alongside Hitmaka, Metro Boomin, and Amaire Johnson, and Best R&B Song for producing Khalid's "Location," highlighting his role in the track's minimalist R&B sound. From 2019 onward, David's nominations continued through collaborations in and categories. His work extended into Latin urban music, including a shared for Best Música Urbana Album for on the "Mónaco" from Bad Bunny's Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana at the 67th Annual in 2025. These recognitions underscore his credits on key , often in competitive categories.

Certifications and chart performance

Smash David's production on Khalid's "" earned diamond certification from the (RIAA) on March 3, 2022, denoting 10 million units sold or streamed in the United States. The track, released in 2017, peaked at No. 16 on the and spent 52 weeks on the chart, contributing to the debut album American Teen's quadruple platinum status. His work on Big Sean's "," the lead single from the 2017 album I Decided, achieved 6× platinum certification by the RIAA as of 2024, reflecting over six million units. The song reached on the in February 2017, maintaining a presence on the chart for 28 weeks and marking one of Sean's highest-charting solo releases. The parent album I Decided itself received platinum certification from the RIAA in October 2017 for one million equivalent units. Collaborations with have also yielded significant commercial success, including multi-platinum accolades for key releases. Smash David's production on "" (2021) propelled the single to No. 1 on the chart for five weeks and No. 3 on the , while the track amassed over one billion global streams by 2023. Similarly, his contributions to "Mónaco" from the 2023 album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana debuted at No. 1 on both the and Global Excl. U.S. charts, as well as the chart, with the album earning 3× Latin platinum certification from the RIAA by mid-2024.

Latin Grammy nominations

David has also received recognition from . At the 26th Annual in 2025, he earned a for Best Rap/Hip Hop Song for co-writing and producing "El Favorito De Mami" by Big Soto featuring .

Musical style and influences

Influences from family and church

Smash David's early exposure to music through his family's work and involvement instilled a strong foundation in and rhythmic traditions. These experiences, detailed in his upbringing, shaped his production style by emphasizing emotional depth, layered rhythms, and uplifting structures in his beats. His childhood drumming in honed his skills in timing, , and , as he has noted: "I’m a . I grew up playing drums in ." This background infuses his and R&B productions with soulful grooves and energetic builds reminiscent of worship music. elements contribute to the intensity and spirit in his drum patterns, while his roots add multicultural layers, incorporating and Latin flavors into urban sounds.

Production approach and techniques

Smash David primarily relies on as his for beat production, having started with version 1 and continuing with version 2 and later due to its intuitive interface for programming and melody creation. He credits the software's automation features for developing unique patterns and melodic elements central to his tracks. His techniques focus on detailed , including layering and sample , where he crafts custom kits—such as one built over three years—by sourcing and refining sounds instead of using presets. In and , he employs heavy bass lines layered with kicks and snares for resonant, punchy rhythms, complemented by atmospheric synths for texture and mood that enhance vocals in urban genres. David's collaborative style is adaptive, building beats around artists' freestyles in to capture organic energy, as seen in sessions with where he created multiple tracks responding to live lyrics. This approach tailors drum patterns and synths to the performer's . His versatility spans R&B, , pop, and urban Latin, adjusting elements like synth voicings and percussion—drawing from traditions—to fit various visions, including contributions with and . Drum precision defines his work, enabling shifts from high-energy to smooth R&B. Recent productions on Bad Bunny's 2025 album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, which won at the 25th , highlight his continued fusion of , R&B, and Latin influences.

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