Chuck D to Helm Def Jam Records?

Rihanna’s new boss? Now that Jay-Z has stepped down from the Def Jam presidency, the label might need a new president, but could that position end up going to Chuck D? It’s hard to say. If the label ends up hiring a new figurehead, it’ll probably be Jermaine Dupri or…

Ultra Music Festival releases first phase of lineup…

Via Miami Nights… Here’s the first part of the lineup for this year’s Ultra Music Festival, which is celebrating its tenth birthday, and is repeating this year as a two-day event. No surprises on the names here, except acts like Justice get moved to headlining slots. Part of me, however,…

Four Years Later, DJ’s Death Still Unsolved

Four years ago today RJ Lockwood, a Miami DJ, was found dead in his Overtown apartment at the age of 27. The Miami DJ was described as not “malicious enough to have enemies” by one of his old friends. Police initially dismissed the case as just another drug overdose by…

Albums on Tap for Early 2008

Well 2007 is over, done and almost forgotten. So stop looking back on the year that’s past and take a look at what you have to look forward to from the music world in just the first couple months of 2008. Here’s a look at some of the first albums…

Flo Rida has the #1 Song in the Country

Go figure. But you gotta give credit where its due and as of today, Miami’s own Flo Rida has bumped Alicia Keys out of the number one spot on the Billboard charts and his song, “Low” has ascended in its place. It’s a proud day for South Florida music fans…

GQ Speaks out About DMX Video

A couple of weeks ago, we posted video here at CrossFade of South Florida’s mixtape king, DJ GQ chilling in the studio with his friend DMX. The video ended up all over YouTube, and every other viral video website and essentially played on the fact that DMX looked like he…

Jay-Z Steps down as President of Def Jam

MSNBC is reporting that Jay-Z is resigning as president of Def Jam records at the end of this year. He took over post three years ago when former boss Lyor Cohen left the position to become the chief executive at Warner Music Group. Yesterday’s move isn’t surprising (his artists have…

Ian Svenonius Interviews Shaun Ryder, So Good it Hurts

I often forget to check up on Vice’s online TV venture, VBS.TV, and that’s just as well, because then I would really never get anything done at the computer. Why? Original mini shows that are informative and entertaining, but without relying on a bunch of slick professional “hip” gimmickry. Actually,…

remix.nin.com – a Cool Model for Fan Interactivity

I’m sure I’m late in the game on discovering this one, but Trent Reznor has proved once again that, love him or hate him, he’s always been a forward thinker. Newly freed from the shackles of his contact with Interscope, he’s launched a new site at remix.nin.com. It’s a platform…

New Florida State Song?

Stephen C. Foster, composer of Florida’s current state song There’s been talk of getting rid of Florida’s state song for years. “The Swanee River (Old Folks at Home)” by Stephen C. Foster was officially adopted in 1935 — less enlightened times, shall we say. At the end of 2007, it…

Prodigy From Mobb Deep in Fort Lauderdale Today

That’s what I said? But last night around 6 p.m., my phone was ringing off the hook from a publicist trying to get me to do a sit-down interview with P who’ll be here today talking about his upcoming album, HNIC2. If you don’t already know, Prodigy was recently sentenced…

Rick Ross Talks About New Album

So Rick Ross’ upcoming album, Trilla, has been pushed back to February 08. That’s probably a good thing considering everything Def Jam has put out in the fourth quarter this year has felt like a tax write-off without any real push. Ghostface and Beanie Sigal immediately come to mind. Since…

Rapper Pimp C Found Dead

According to this TMZ report, Pimp C of legendary Texas-based hip-hop group, UGK was found dead in his bed in a Sunset Strip hotel room this morning. There’s a brief posting about it at MTV as well, that says his death has been confirmed by Jive Records. The rapper, born…

Birdman Lands in Jail but Still Flies the Coop

It was just a few weeks ago that we covered the story on Cash Money CEO and artist Birdman’s migration to Miami, and just last week we told you about his highly appreciated pre-Thanksgiving turkey giveaway. But as of last night Bryan “Birdman” Williams became a fowl of a different…

City Limits One Year Anniversary Kicks Off Tonight

One of the coolest music venues in Delray Beach, City Limits, is having a blowout music event over the next four days to celebrate their one-year anniversary. It’s actually their second one-year anniversary, but that’s a story that’s briefly explained below. This should be a rocking good time for anyone…

Video: Otto von Schirach Live at Studio A

In case you missed Otto von Schirach’s awesome performance last week at Studio A, now you can at least check it out in shaky video. (And in case you missed the Miami New Times’ recent article on Otto, click here.) The other acts were Juan Montoya of Torche and Chris…

Biz Markie’s Beat of the Day

Don’t ask. So we at CrossFade just got hip to the fact that beatboxer extraordinaire and hip-hop jokester Biz Markie is coming to town for a couple of shows. He’ll be DJing for free at 11 pm at Nectar Lounge in Seminole Casino Coconut Creek this Wednesday, Nov 21. So…

Monday Afternoon Music Fix

By ANDY VIHSTADT Back to the Futureheads The UK postpunk act has since started its own label and wrapped up LP3, which the band claims will be “punkier” than the last one. Here’s the first song from the yet-to-be-titled album, due sometime early next year, thanks to Indie Blog Heaven…

DJ Khaled’s Annual Birthday Bash TONIGHT

Some people love DJ Khaled. The brash Palestinian-American DJ represents Miami to the fullest in whatever he does. He’s worked alongside some of our city’s grimiest, grittiest, most talented rappers to successfully put our city on the musical map with his all-star collaborations. Some people can’t stand DJ Khaled –…