Taana Gardner’s “Heartbeat” was a quirky dance record that was broken on the dancefloor of the Paradise Garage. DJ Larry Levan introduced the song to a crowd that initially rejected the song because of its slower tempo and Gardner’s exasperated delivery. Levan continued to play “Heartbeat,” and it became a staple of his playlist and a new dance classic. Kenton Nix wrote “Heartbeat,” and he previously worked with Gardner on another popular dance track, “Work That Body.” “Heartbeat” became a Top Ten hit on the R&B and Dance charts, pulling Gardner’s voice out from the underground and into the ears of radio listeners. Gardner, who is a native of Newark, New Jersey, left the music industry in the ’90s and last appeared on Mistura’s 2002 single “Sweet Magic.” “Heartbeat” has been sampled through the years by De La Soul, The Treacherous Three, DMX, Yasiin Bey, Alicia Keys, and many others. The singer is scheduled to appear at DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live! on November 8, 2024, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
