The multi-faceted Keith David has become an icon thanks to both on-screen work in projects like The Thing and voice performances in animated series including Gargoyles and Rick & Morty. However, he tells Consequence (in that distinctive gravel), “Although I’ve had several singing performances, there are still people who get surprised that I can sing.”
David laughs as he continues, “It’s like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know he sang,’ That’s all well and good, but my ambition is to do a lot more singing performances — hopefully in projects like this.”
The adult animated musical comedy series Hazbin Hotel, created by Vivienne Medrano, takes place in literal Hell, as an inspired princess of darkness (Erika Henningsen) attempts to start a rehabilitation program for demons that will allow them to go to Heaven. It’s a big premise packed that allows for big characters such as Husk (David), a surly bartender who nonetheless is capable of moments of empathy for his fellow demons. Even if his empathy comes in the form of an original song called “Loser Baby,” which Husk sings to the down-in-the-dumps Angel (Blake Roman) during a low point.
Part of why David wanted to be a part of Hazbin Hotel was that the show reminded him of “Fritz the Cat and all those Ralph Bakshi [series], back in the day before Adult Swim was Adult Swim. Or Top Cat and all those animal cartoons that had animals acting like people, and they were cool and hip. This is a great universe to be a part of.”
But the other “enticing element” for David was getting to not just act, but sing. “It’s one of the reasons I really wanted to do it, and I really dig the music in this thing. Not only is it cross-generational and cross-genre, but it’s new and innovative. Unlike other kinds of musical treatments in animation, this could be a Broadway musical. You could easily see this transferring to a world on stage, and this music would fit right into it.”
“Loser Baby” was written by songwriters Sam Haft and Andrew Underberg, who worked previously with Medrano on her animated web series Helluva Boss. Haft describes Medrano as “an animation auteur — she’s got a very clear vision,” though “Loser Baby” was one of the looser songs in terms of what she was specifically looking for.
