“Why are we underground right now, sir? Why can’t we be out in the open?” asks Private Miller while sitting in a smoky interrogation room during the opening scene of the 2008 movie Pineapple Express. “Why aren’t we in a square right now? Why aren’t we talkin’ to people, lettin’…
It’s only been a couple of years since two Dutch boys with a mutual love for the old Motown sound dropped their first collaborative release as Detroit Swindle. But that’s all the time Maarten Smeets and Lars Dales have needed to grow into a veritable international deep house institution. And…
There are only two ways to properly celebrate New Year’s Eve. Snuggled up all cozy with the family. Or drinking with strangers on South Beach, wandering the streets, looking for the next open bar. Of course, we here at Crossfade chose the beach and the booze. Especially when we heard…
Last year was a sequel of sorts to Pharrell Williams’ deluxe coffee table book Places and Spaces I’ve Been, in that the influential producer-crooner made cameos in a number of 2013’s most significant pop cultural moments, as if he were a music industry version of Woody Allen’s Zelig. His catalog…
Holy Ship!!! is only ten days away. Are you prepared? Whether you’re a first-time shipper or a seasoned mate, navigating this electronic dance music cruise’s lineup is tricky business. With so many established and emerging artists, spread out between so many stages, it’s easy to miss something totally life-changing. And…
“I believe that fate has brought us here.” That’s Ms. Macy Gray, the inimitably and charmingly croaky soul singer. And no, she’s not talking about love and stuff. The lady is saying, “We should be together, babe, for NYE 2014 at Casino Miami Jai-Alai.” Especially since the tix are free…
Pop the champagne, chow down 12 grapes for good luck, and kiss a stranger. ‘Cause it’s New Year’s Week! And in celebration of the end of 2013, the Magic City’s got Pitbull ringin’ in the new year at the AAA, Jay-Z bringin’ his Magna Carter World Tour to SoFla, and…
Every end has a beginning, and every beginning has an end. That’s the kind of cheesy statement you’d expect to find on a bumper sticker or written in the pages of some flowery Chicken Soup bullshit. But it’s also the truth. With its first-ever full-fledged festival, Life in Color underwent…
Hip-hop will never die. And neither will “Rappers Delight,” the song made famous in part by rap pioneers Wonder Mike and Master Gee. As 2014 descends on Miami, The Stage will feature that pair, and their homie HenDogg, performing as Rappers Delight, alongside Suenalo, for a concert and party to…
The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear! That may be Buddy the Elf’s definition of a Happy Christmas, but for us Miami peeps, nothing puts us in the Holiday spirit more than getting caught in the middle of a hardcore mosh pit at…
It was just a few hours before midnight on New Year’s Eve 2002, and the woman who’d DJed Madonna’s wedding could not find parking. She had rejected multiple offers to play NYE parties in other cities, because she — Tracy Young — and her friends had decided that celebrating together…
Life has been a wild ride for Wanito. One day, he’s just another talented musician in Jérémie, Haiti. And the next day, he wins a talent show to record an album for Peace Tones, a global music initiative funded by Kickstarter. Now he’s touring the world, closing in on 100,000…
“Who do you think we should book?” It’s a question that Ultra Music Festival founder Russell Faibisch asked me last year when I interviewed him for a feature about the iconic fest. My answer: “I can’t believe M.I.A. has never performed at Ultra.” Yesterday, I got my wish and more!…
Miami knows hit and runs. You’ve probably been a victim, committed one, or know someone who’s been affected. Hell Bound City Tattoo’s Esteban Dalpra was riding his motorcycle on Miami Avenue when Angel Alberto Ochoa ran a stop sign in a box truck and smashed into him with 16 tons…
Happy New Year, Miami! Now get your ass up and Moov to the beats of the Wailers, Revolvr, DJ Irie, Avenida Zero, and David Puentez. We’re talking about the Moov Festival, the first New Year’s Day music fest in the 305, bringing local faves and international acts to Bayfront Park…
“Truuuuu!” as 2 Chainz says. “Free is always gooooood.” In a couple of months, the rapper formerly known as Tity Boy and his G.O.O.D. labelmate Pusha T will be setting off on the 2 G.O.O.D. 2 Be T.R.U. tour, a 21-date North American trek that’s gonna be turning up at…
“It’s lineup day!” For the last 21 hours, Ultra Music Festival has been taunting and teasing international beat freaks with its 2014 Phase One reveal. But now it’s finally here … A 105-act roster packed with big-name DJs (Avicii, Eric Prydz, Diplo, Hardwell, Tiësto) and a killer live contingent (M.I.A.,…
Our empty nug pouches have been hung from the chimney with care. Our palm trees are tinseled up like sexier, skinnier white pines. And our glowstick menorahs are ablaze. That’s right — it’s holiday season in the MIA. And we, the party people, aren’t about to celebrate with family, fruitcake,…
Of all the DJs who’ve headlined Ultra Music Festival, Tiësto is the unofficial godfather. (Short of having his own mega-tent like Carl Cox, of course.) And he’s presided over the jubilee since the early days. In fact, Miami is kind of his town. He may be a Dutchman, but he’s…
On Saturday night, the Misfits horse-kicked all of the creep punks at Grand Central into a new dimension of brutality. Oceans of blood washed over the flabbergasted audience until the red tides left them soaked in the afterbirth of a new American monster. Then that horrible creature reared its ugly…
Ever been excited for Monday? Neither have we. But with good shows to look forward to this week including Dion Kerr’s jazzy tunes, Curren$y’s weed-y rap beats, and the Y100 Jingle Ball’s pop star invasion, you might catch yourself a bit on the giddy side today all week. Check out…
“I enjoy a little of everything.” Usually that kind of statement can be interpreted to mean, “I’m self-indulgent and lazy.” But for Niko Javan, that isn’t true. He’s not only a producer, DJ, video director, and musician. His resume boasts impressive accomplishments all across the creative spectrum. So you just…
