Back in 2008, it was practically impossible to escape the catchy vocal hook of “Black and Gold,” the Grammy-nominated breakthrough single from Sam Sparro’s eponymous debut album. The consensus among newly converted fans was that the Australian-born singer-songwriter had it. Namely, soul. It helps that Sparro (AKA Samuel Falson) was…
Haitian dance band Tabou Combo has come a long way since starting out as Los Incognitos in Petionville, Haiti, in 1968. After moving to New York City in the ’70s, Yvon “Kapi” Andre and the rest of the group has ignited disco floors from Gabon to Miami with its dancetastic…
All right, we know what you’re thinking. There’s no way you’ll ever admit to liking a Justin Bieber song. He’s a twerp, a too-eager evil of the YouTube generation. But hear us out. On his new single, “Boyfriend,” from his forthcoming third album, Believe, the Biebz demonstrates a new, ridiculously…
It is no secret that jazz music is a national treasure. And locally, jazz served as the soundtrack to South Florida and its sunny lifestyle way before megaclubs and laptop DJs took over. But we’re not here to bitch about overpriced nightlife spots or knob-twiddlers. It’s simply time to celebrate…
Did you know that Ol’ Dirty Bastard had 13 kids, three of whom he neglected to pay child support for in 1997 alone? Illegitimate children are overwhelmingly common in rap music. From Brooklyn to the Louisiana bayou, rappers’ baby mamas have tried pushing paternity suits on their rhyming exes ever…
Seven days ago, the airwaves at “Miami’s Party Station” went (figuratively) dead when SoFla booty bass pioneer and 22-year radio vet DJ Laz announced he was quitting his morning show at WPOW-FM. “Rumors are true, I am no longer with Power 96,” Laz confirmed last Monday night via Twitter. “I…
DJ-producer Jay Haze is a force for good in the world. And it’s not just because of his musical contributions. Sure, electronic dance music unites people. On the dancefloor, there is no race, no religion, no classes. We are all one. Blah blah blah. But let’s face it, the EDM…
Ralph Lauren and denim are arguably two of the most American facets of ready-to-wear designer clothing. But in a surprising move, the company that brought country club duds to prominence in the late 1960s has gone Swedish. In fact, they’ve gone Swedish house. According to Rolling Stone, “Swedish mega DJ/producer…
The art of sensual seduction via song ain’t nothin’ like it used to be. Back in the day, all it took was a few lines from Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” to not only get the panties droppin’, but also have them flying through the air like graduation caps. Contemporary…
What do you call a sadomasochistic exhibitionist with an offensively perfect body and an affinity for whips, chains, and Brazilian porn? Well, Rihanna, of course. Staying true to her “I don’t have anything to hide” campaign, the Barbadian pop princess opened up about her online porn preferences yesterday, admitting she’s…
Fuck the haters. Like, literally. In public. With an oversized inflatable banana. While wearing just a blazer and zebra-print speedo. In addition to laughing their effing asses off, screeching “I’m in Miami Bitch,” and doing non-stop “Shots” of Viagra-infused booze, LMFAO’s Redfoo and Sky Blu have become famous for their…
Cuban hip-hop flows will never stop flooding Miami’s shores. Take Mr. Haka, who came to the United States around the turn of the millenium, bringing the sounds of Camagüey with him. In 2004, he released an album titled El Legendario. He achieved some regional and national success with it. And…
In 2012, the world is such a postmodern, postcolonial jungle that in order to make sense of anything you’ve got to be thinking globally. Global economies, global trends, global crises. And global music. The collapse of cultural segregation — thank the Internet — has created some curious crossbreeds when it…
Gipsy Kings is the OG gitano rock band. Way before Gogol Bordello sang punky odes to the proverbial wanderer, the Kings traversed the globe, blending Spanish rumba and flamenco guitar for a worldwide audience. Formed in 1978, the Gipsy Kings is two sets of siblings, the Reyes and the Baliardos…
Seth Bogart is queercore’s flat-chested poster boy and a household name among same-sex households with an affinity for independent garage rock. The colorful 31-year-old Hunx and his Punx frontman has become one of Hardly Art’s chief impresarios, a showman who’s second to none. Whether he’s eye-fucking men at his lively…
Coachella is back. For two desert weekends (April 13-15 and April 20-22), a massive team of writers and photographers from Crossfade’s sister blog West Coast Sound will be covering everything from the performances to the fashion trends to the drug-induced tomfoolery. Over 140 artists are performing and we’ve got the…
Lil Wayne loves skateboarding. But when a photographer’s flashbulb ruins his ollie, that’s just fucked up. Last week, according to a TMZ video, Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. was skateboarding ’round Miami Beach Community Church — a United Church of Christ congregation at 1620 Drexel Avenue with a strict “No Skateboarding”…
The last time singing dinosaurs were cool (read: Barney), we were barely old enough to ride in the passenger seat. Back then, our idea of a good dino song was sing “Apples and Bananas” as many ways as possible. But now we’re older and demand something more sophisticated from our…
Bob Marley is without question the world’s most beloved reggae artist, but not because his music was more appealing or accessible than the multitude of trad, ska and, dub artists that preceded him or the throngs that followed.Rather, Bob Marley, for some reason or another, commanded international attention early in…
Jim Marshall, the English inventor of the famed Marshall amplifier favored by guitar-oriented rock artists, also known and the “Father of Loud”, died yesterday in his Buckinghamshire home. He was 88.Marshall started developing his amplifiers in 1960, answering the call from customers such as Pete Townsend and Ritchie Blackmore who…
Midnight Conspiracy aren’t really evil, but they are some of the banginest motherfuckers in Chicago’s EDM scene. Back home, they’re known for their killer parties, bass heavy sets, and dark-themed clothing line. Now, Mikul Wing and Louis Kha are hitting the road armed with backpacks full of bangers and a…
The act of popular ’90s musicians scheduling and subsequently postponing tour stops in South Florida continues. Following a trend perfected earlier this year by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eddie Vedder has regrettably postponed his upcoming 15-city U.S. solo tour “due to temporary nerve damage” in the legendary Pearl Jam…
