Whoa, guys. Basel hasn’t even officially begun. And we here at Crossfade are already hungover. Even though the actual art fair opens tomorrow, the cruising and boozing and schmoozing’s been in full effect since Monday afternoon, when the early-bird, invite-only charity fundraisers starting serving free drinks and finger foods to…
Hey, Arcade Fire! So, uh, like, you guys wouldn’t lie to us, right? ‘Cause we really believed Win (perhaps naively and too eagerly) when he teased us with yet another Miami show during October’s special two-night stand as the Reflektors at downtown’s Mekka Nightclub and the Little Haiti Cultural Center…
The art community loves exclusivity, and the rest of the world loves drooling over things they will never experience. Well, we here at Crossfade are bringing these worlds together in this totally tantalizing list of Art Basel Miami Beach week parties that you’re not invited to. We know, it seems…
What’s that boom-bap? Just the thump of golden-era rap legends De La Soul, Wu-Tang mic mangler Ghostface Killah, and fiddle-wielding hip-hop duo Black Violin rolling up to The Stage Miami for three straight days of real beats and even realer rhymes, all in honor of Art Basel Miami Beach week…
Back in 2011, we here at Crossfade included Terre Thaemlitz, AKA DJ Sprinkles, on our list of the World’s Least Douchey DJs. It was a nod to her longstanding work as an educator and activist promoting awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. Like many others, we’d first gotten…
Ladies and gents, Basel madness has finally begun … By day, that means four days of cultural enrichment and artistic appreciation at Art Basel Miami Beach and CONTEXT. By night, though, it’s all about sweaty partying in the club with celebrities, Europeans, champagne whores, even Uncle Luke. Just check out…
Hip-hop and rap are seven years removed from Lupe Fiasco’s “Kick, Push,” the song that might’ve truly introduced skateboarding to the genre’s mainstream, even though the effect probably wasn’t as sweeping as it was when Lil Wayne donned some Vans and skinny jeans. Today, there’s Black Dave, a 21-year-old Bronx…
Who’s ready to arty party? Oh yes, you beautiful and brainy bastards, we’re about to begin another edition of Art Basel Miami Beach week. But as we all know, four whole days spent wandering through exhibition after exhibition of world-class cultural artifacts just ain’t enough. We also need four whole…
Anyone who says they want to see Kanye West and not hear a rant is a straight-up liar. Rants are part of the package, and we ain’t about getting stiffed. That being said, Kanye’s words are always being taken out of context. And we want to make sure you get…
It is an interesting time for the Alabama Shakes. Riding high on the success of a nearly universally lauded debut full-length album, Boys & Girls, the group has undoubtedly earned a rep as one of the most exciting bands dwelling within the increasingly overrun world of roots and Americana music…
Once a year, art aficionados and music junkies alike swarm the streets of the Magic City for Art Basel Miami Beach week. You know, that enormous arty party when the entire city becomes a wonderland filled with work from some of the world’s most talented creatives? And sure, art may…
Yeezus Tour Kanye West With Kendrick Lamar American Airlines Arena, Miami Friday, November 29, 2013 Better Than: Church, and all that Catholic guilt. It’s been five years since Kanye West’s last solo headlining tour. But in that half-decade, he’s gone from simple hip-hop prophet to full-on god. Last night’s Yeezus…
Sure, there’s plenty of art to be seen during Art Basel Miami Beach, er, Art Basel in Miami Beach. But, let’s be honest: You’re in Miami. You aren’t looking to spend your entire day at the convention center or inside some tent. You want to make irresponsible decisions once the…
“There’s this sense of very lonely sensuality. And of course, the obvious paradox of being so connected, but so alone,” says French DJ-producer Joakim of his latest, as-yet untitled full-length project, a follow-up to last June’s pair of downtempo electro-pop tracks, “Heartbeats” and “Another Light,” and his first LP since…
It’s the day after Thanksgiving! In case you’re having a rough time counting your blessings, here are a few things to be grateful for: a short work week and long weekend (for most of us, anyway), a shit load of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce that’ll last you for days,…
If there’s one thing Miami doesn’t lack, it’s flashy, expensive parties. So Eyal Agai, AKA Pirate Stereo, and his Slap & Tickle crew are taking a cue from the gritty underground. “I used to go to a bodega in Boston that sold high-end sneakers out the back,” Agai says. “This…
Exactly 150 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln delivered an address unto the American people (although it’s historically accepted that Secretary of State William H. Seward wrote it) calling upon the citizens of the United States to take the last Thursday of every November as a day of reflection and gratitude…
“It was 1988, I was 18 years old, trying to graduate high school.” That’s how Vincent Mason, otherwise known as Maseo of golden-era hip-hop trio De La Soul, remembers the days, weeks, and months leading up to the life-changing release of 3 Feet High and Rising, a golden-era hip-hop masterpiece…
They say you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone, and we think some people are underappreciating Kanye West. That’s right — it’s not a popular opinion, but we actually believe Yeezus has done more for hip-hop than any other living artist, and possibly even any rapper of all…
Say it ain’t so, papo. A year and a half ago, DJ Laz, a Latin booty bass pioneer and 22-year radio vet, shocked fans and listeners by abruptly leaving his longtime home at Power 96, “Miami’s Party Station.” That was April 2012. But less than 30 days later, Laz announced…
Art Basel is about art, and the art scene is all about sexy, exclusive gatherings and cultural mayhem. If we accept this as truth, then the annual, mysterious, seductive Le Baron is the height of Art Basel extracurricular activity. Last year, the crowd favorite turned tradition upside down and broke…
We’re so lucky we get to call the Magic City home. That’s why this Thanksgiving we’re gonna stuff our faces with shots of Patrón (or cake from the master baker Steve Aoki himself) and fill our head with uhntz-uhntz hits from John Dahlbäck, rap beats from the Aussie princess Iggy…
