God bless Atlanta, dammit. In terms of hip-hop, the ATL is always at the forefront of swag, pumping out bangers from some of the game’s crunkest solo artists and rap crews. Among them are three MCs — Ali, Quez and Strap — from the Atlanta suburb of Decatur, known collectively…
At first, you were afraid. You were petrified. Kept thinkin’ you could never live without tickets to Gloria Gaynor’s disco party at Casino Miami Jai-Alai this weekend. But then Crossfade showed up with a bunch of free tix. And you grew strong. And you learned how to get along. Go…
It’s a dark night in California and Fishbone bass player Norwood Fisher’s forearms strain as he applies a vicious chokehold to the throat of childhood friend and bandmate Kendall Jones, whose eyes bulge from their sockets. He’s nearly unconscious from the lack of oxygen to his brain. Still, Kendall throws…
While Internet-era culture boosters promote the idea that anyone can write, record, and produce quality music, Tucson-based rapper Murs does not. A veteran hip-hop hustler who broke onto the underground scene as a solo artist when he released F’Real in 1997, Murs encourages artists to think twice about what they’re…
When was the last time you got down on your knees and kissed Miami? What, never? Well, get down and start kissing, because this town loves you. Do you understand how lucky you are to be here? Supreme talent comes through this place every day. It’s just not natural for…
It’s 5 a.m., and an impromptu, collective chant to the tune of the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” fills the streets of Baltimore. The city’s beloved Ravens were crowned Super Bowl XLVII champions roughly eight hours ago, but the team’s diehard fans are still celebrating the victory with the squad’s…
Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard Hard Rock Live, Hollywood Thursday, February 7, 2013 Better Than: A cold beer, a shot of whiskey, and a good cry. All the old outlaws are only getting older. Last night, though, the Red-Headed Stranger and the Okie From Muskogee proved that they might be…
In 1984, poet Jean Smith teamed up with guitarist David Lester to form the feminist indie rock duo, Mecca Normal. A few years later, their blueprint of punk spunk and explicit politics (sexual and otherwise) played a big role in the cultivation of the ’90s Riot Grrrl movement. Fast forward…
In Brazil, it’s summertime. And right about now, the half-naked party masses of Carnaval are already rocking like Ultra Music Festival was an actual nation of millions. Rio bass pounds through the favelas, echoes through the mansions, rolls across the mountaintops, shoots up the Gulf Stream like El Niño, and…
GTA LIV, Miami Beach Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Better Than: Sitting at home waiting for the next GTA game to come out. DJ-producer duo GTA headlined LIV for the first time last night. With Miami being their home turf, they had some surprises in store for the crowd. We arrived…
We really are incredibly lucky here in Miami. Most people across the country save up their money and their energy for that one big show that comes around every three months or so. Here in our cradle of bass, we have tons of awesome artists coming in every couple of…
It’s only happened once, and it wasn’t even real — a recreational pot-smoking session gone terribly wrong. Blanche was simply playing the piano cartoonishly fast to soothe Ralph’s mind. But when Jack showed up unexpectedly, Ralph lost his shit and killed the man. The police arrived shortly thereafter and arrested…
Last year, we here at Crossfade had a chat with Crosstown Rebels kingpin Damian Lazarus about the underground musical ethos behind his label and global party brand. “As our artists grow from strength to strength on a global scale, our sound becomes more popular,” he told us. “But this was…
It’s February, and that means Cupid’s arrow may soon pierce your little heart and cripple your vulnerable soul with love. Or maybe it’s something that feels like love, but actually turns out to be a costly gaffe. Whatever. At the end of the day, we’re all just a little “Lost…
The XX The Fillmore Miami Beach Tuesday, February 5, 2013 Better Than: Any other XX show up to this point, probably. The XX just played their 100th show earlier this week. But until about 13 hours ago, the Brit indie-pop crew had never been to Miami. It’s a difficult market,…
Terror and H2O With Backtrack and Code Orange Kids Presented by Breakeven Booking and Speedfreek Churchill’s Pub, Miami Tuesday, February 5, 2013 “We are not a rock ‘n roll band,” insisted Terror vocalist Scott Vogel, as he addressed the sweaty mass of hardcore fans between songs during one of the…
Hey, Moody Blues, screw those “Nights in White Satin.” This is EDM. And we’re talkin’ Black Lights & White Lingerie. Yeah, we know we’ve got your rapt attention, beat freaks. Because that shit sounds hot. Hopefully, though, it won’t be totally freezing that night, because with this kind of party…
Wiseman Willie, Padre Nelson, the potheaded stranger. He’s known by many names, but this country legend and social activist has remained steadfast in his singular devotion to Mary Jane for nearly 60 years. He’s been busted. He’s been badgered. But he’s never backed down. And by God, everyone’s favorite pothead…
Last month, we here at Crossfade gave you a heads up about Massive Wednesdays at The Stage and the live electronic music performances they are serving up each week. Well, Massive Ideas, the folks behind the night, show no signs of slowing down their bookings, and not just on Wednesdays…
We’re suckers. For years, retailers have made a fortune off love-stricken individuals who feel obligated to spend copious amounts of money on stuffed bears, heart-shaped boxes of crappy chocolate-covered cherries, sappy holiday cards, and dinner for two at underwhelming (albeit overpriced) restaurants, all in the name of Valentine’s Day. But…
Another beautiful week in Miami. And with all of our sun and fun comes a lot of great traveling and sweet music wafting through the night air. The forecast shows exciting performances from lovelorn chill bands, noise rock, trappy uhntz-uhntz, cool-kid dance beats, and a few flurries of funk. There’s…
Save Rock & Roll … If we here at Crossfade were picking candidates for that task, Fall Out Boy probably wouldn’t land at the top of the list. But that’s the name of Pete Wentz and crew’s newly announced comeback album and tour. “This isn’t a reunion because we never…
