Lex-One and Mike Beatz have been staples in South Florida’s hip-hop scene. Having released tons of group and solo projects (Monster Ink, Major League, more), they’ve shown that hip-hop is deep rooted in their sound. Fast forward to 2010, and these guys have transformed everything they’ve worked on in the…
Bells are made to be BrokenIn our Moving Units column, Mike Ramirez at Fort Lauderdale’s Radio-Active Records graciously keeps us up-to-date and comments on the current releases flying out of his store each week.This week, the collaboration between Shins’ lead singer James Mercer and Gnarls Barkley producer Danger Mouse, Broken…
Wilco (the rad poster)Fort Lauderdale-based Iron Forge Press creates some of the most eye-popping rock posters we’ve ever seen. Whenever possible, we’ll share their designs right here on Crossfade.Iron Forge Press’ Chuck Loose and Ian Rowan were commissioned to create the Wilco poster on the right to promote Monday evening’s…
It’s here! Winter Music Conference officially begins today. What better way to get pumped up that with a DJ mix. Crossfade obsession and DJ Tamara Sky sent us the follow up to her last year’s Pussy Violence mix, this one titled Pussy Violence II Lip Service.The mix feature hipster dancefloor…
In what’s seeming to be the instrumental of the moment, you couldn’t log online or download a mixtape for a week or so without hearing yet another “Over” freestyle. “Over” being the first single from Drake’s official debut album, Thank Me Later. With months of hype surrounding the ominous first…
David “Dro” Rosario–Rick Ross is on course to bring in his fourth studio album Teflon Don very soon. This past Wednesday we posted the official pre-album mixtape. Well yesterday, Ross’ official first single for Teflon Don hit the net. It’s a relaxed tune called “Sweet Life” that features John Legend…
Skinnydipping after dark with a few longhair BFFs is one of the best ways to spend a springtime Friday night. The water’s green, the sky’s green, and there’s no discernible horizon. It’s cold, but not that cold. And the wind whistles like music while puffy, cartoon-ish letters float through the…
Rap-UpShoulda been called “Lose My Innocence”Kudos to the esteemed Rap-Up for pointing out that the 32-year-old Jay Jenkins, formerly known as the rapper Young Jeezy, is now credited as just plain Jeezy on the cover for new single “Lose My Mind” featuring Florida’s own Plies. The song is from Jeezy’s…
David BrieskeDo not try to wrap your pretty little head around this track, “Crossing the Frozen Lands.” Nah. That is not the way art works, at least not for me and I’m only a heady guy when it involves booze and whores and narcotics… think about it baby! You’re in…
No one told Devendra Banhart he needs help with his album covers, thoughEvery week, we gather some interesting stuff from our sister Village Voice Media publications’ music sections. Just for kicks. Here’s last week’s entry.Devendra Banhart, in Seattle Weekly: “I had one label tell me they would love to sign…
Aretha Franklin called New Times before her gig at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood this past Tuesday to discuss her forthcoming album, A Woman Falling Out of Love, to tell us to call her “professor,” and a little bit about that hat. Yes, that one. New Times: Do you ever…
Find out what your neighbors are listening to without putting your ear up to the keyhole by reading our Moving Units column. Mike Ramirez over at Fort Lauderdale’s Radio-Active Records graciously keeps us up-to-date on the current releases flying out of his store each week. Radio-Active Records’ Top 5 Releases…
Adorable South Florida folkies Raffa & Rainer chose the surprisingly edgy No Mercy moniker for their new album. It could’ve had something to do with the two long years it took to create the album or the heartache on display in some of the songs. So why did they choose…
Alkaline Trio has embodied the spirit of independent punk since its aggro 1998 debut, Goddamnit! Led by charismatic, fury-filled vocalist Matt Skiba, the group is one of the cornerstones of an incestuous Chicago hardcore and punk scene that includes the Smoking Popes and the Lawrence Arms. The trio’s seventh studio…
When the weather is shitty, your boss is pissed, your dog dies, and no one seems to understand, there’s only one thing to do: Stop being a pain. Life is pain, Princess. And the only way to survive it is by going to your happy place. My happy place exists…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitelone/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0Alex Chilton, the legendary voice and songwriter behind the Box Tops and Big Star, has died, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. He was 59.This is a very sad event for many fans of Chilton’s work, as well as the countless artists — Uncle Tupelo, Matthew…
As Rick Ross preps the release of his fourth studio album, Teflon Don, Rick Ross gathers a team of DJs to collaboratively release an official mixtape that will serve as the warm-up of sorts for the album. The mixtape is interestingly titled A Timeless Audemars Piguet Collection. Presumably a play…
Musician/actress Charlotte Gainsbourg is a top seller this week at Sweat Records.Moving Units is a weekly column on Crossfade tracking the best-selling albums at South Florida independent record stores. Gorillaz – Plastic BeachBroken Bells – Broken BellsJoanna Newsom – Have One On MeCharlotte Gainsbourg – IRMYeasayer – Odd Blood…
After Beach House topped sales last week, are we seeing a theme?In our Moving Units column, Mike Ramirez at Fort Lauderdale’s Radio-Active Records graciously keeps us up-to-date and comments on the current releases flying out of his store each week.This week, Ramirez, Crossfade and record buyers all agreed that a…
Local singer/emcee Anjuli Stars first got her first taste of success when Pitbull picked up her song “Raindrops” for his 2006 album El Mariel. Her vocals and soothing acoustic guitar strums were remixed behind hip-hop drums to create an updated version. Pitbull then laid his own emotional verses on top…
ArtOfficial–Local hip-hop and jazz fusion group, ArtOfficial, released a new song from their new project, The Payback, which is set to release on April 23rd via free download. The song they released is actually the title track that is also called “The Payback” and features New York City’s K. Sparks…
Locally transplanted Puerto Rican superstar and Latin heartthrob Ricky Martin has always had a strong inclination toward philanthropic ambitions, frequently using his own dough and fame over the years to lend a helping hand to worthy causes. In fact, he has his very own organization, the Ricky Martin Foundation, which…
