The Smoking Gun recently reported in a long, investigative entry that R&B singer Akon, who has built a career on making a huge deal out of his alleged criminal past, is not as bad as he says he is. Since the release of Akon’s 2004 debut, Trouble, the singer has…
The folks in charge of new construction at Miami-Dade County Public Schools need a lesson in community involvement. Had Chief Facilities Officer Jaime Torrens and Design Officer Victor Alonso consulted neighborhood homeowner groups in conceptualizing the expansion planned for Coral Way K-8 Center’s seven-acre campus, the school district would have…
Coming out of left field, here’s an old school video from Parisian international super star Manu Chao. Around the world, Manu is the man, but he doesn’t gain nearly as much recognition here in the U.S. It’s not totally clear why that is, but the more that gringos travel abroad…
Drinking for Two Regarding “A Pregnant Pause” (by Elyse Wanshel, April 10): That is incredibly hilarious. I’m totally going to try wearing a pregnancy pad at clubs this weekend. Well, not really, but I do wish I had thought of it first. It’s interesting how men seemed more concerned about…
Today the Banana Republican is going to drop some knowledge about the way local government conducts business in south Florida. Tomorrow, April 16, the Miami Beach City Commission will decide whether or not to retain the company that has been operating the municipality’s public parking garages for the past nine…
So technically, it’s hard to call this track a “Throwback” since the album only came out in 2006. But the video itself is totally retro, and weird, and some shit that only Madlib and his Stones Throw affiliates could put together. You have to just watch it. Explaining all the…
Good Riddance, Che-meister! I’m a member of the Cuban punk band Guajiro, and after reading Chuck Strouse’s April 3 column, “Che Who?” I have a funny anecdote for you regarding Che in Miami. Last summer we did the Florida leg of the Warped Tour, which started in Jacksonville. At every…
“If it’s a boy, I’m going to name him Johnny Walker Black,” I said to my friend Lola as I patted my pregnant belly. We were leaning back on the large, wooden bar inside Barracuda Raw Bar & Grill (3035 Fuller St., Coconut Grove) so the crowd could see my…
The Crime Dog won’t be making any more appearances at Miami-Dade County Public Schools this year. That’s because the school board eliminated $114,000 from the schools police budget set aside for youth crime prevention programs. The move means junior won’t be learning about “Stranger Danger” or “Stop the Violence,” as…
British bands in the ’80’s had a strange sense of style. Of course, that’s a relative statement, but I was reminded of it when I came across the video from the Fine Young Cannibals and their international hit, “She Drives Me Crazy” from 1989. I don’t know what happened to…
It’s no secret that Khia, of the famous 2002 cunnilingus anthem “My Neck, My Back” is not the biggest fan of Miami’s top female rappers. Early on, there was the debacle involving Jacki-O over her status as the self-dubbed “Queen of the South.” Then there was her beef with Trina,…
The 23rd edition of Winter Music Conference took place in Miami Beach last week. An estimated 40,000 music fans and industry types attended events at more than 85 venues. Here’s a rundown of some of the highlights. Best day parties: The Beatport Pool Parties at the Remix Hotel, at the…
Stone serious, the dapper elderly gentleman in gray slacks, a black and white tie, and a neatly pressed green shirt firmly gripped my shoulder from behind: “You’ll have to leave.” “Why?” “You can’t sell things in the mall.” “What makes you think I’m selling? “The T-shirts on your arm.” “We’re…
Something Stinks Brandon K. Thorp’s “Sour Milk” (March 27) is a great article and a fantastic critique of Edge Theatre’s The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore. “Shatner biopic” is an understatement; rhythmically this thing sounded like a Ken Vandermark b-side. It’s really bad when you simply cannot tell whether…
If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of having your ride towed in Miami Beach, then you can relate to Cory Bradley’s run-in with Beach Towing, one of the two notoriously hated tow firms roaming the streets of the city. The Ohio resident was visiting our sunny shores, having a…
So 2 Pac’s name has been in the news a lot lately. The L.A. Times goofed up a story regarding his assault at the Quad Studios in 1994 and even had to issue a retraction. And Puffy or P. Diddy, or whatever the hell he calls himself is doing everything…
With the First Annual Freestyle Awards just wrapping up in Miami last week, it seems right to give freestyle artists some love here at CrossFade. I personally watched Lil Suzy, Debbie Deb, Freestyle Evolution and other’s rip things up at the award show last Wednesday night. A lot of these…
When it comes to Miami-Dade County, no other Banana Republic in the southern hemisphere compares to our wacky tropical metropolis. Here, we can always expect a public official to find a way to bamboozle us. Take Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff. The Coconut Grove lawyer has already proven he has…
Just got an email from overseas about champion British soundclash veteran David Rodigan’s time in the studio with our own Walshy Fire from Black Chiney. A week and a half ago, Roddy was in town doing a show at Studio A and before he hit the club, he and Walshy…
Poison the Fox If you don’t, you’ll drink contaminated water: I applaud Isaiah Thompson for writing “Poisoned Well” (March 20). It has been a matter of great concern for all of us who reside in this politically corrupt community. I personally know of one engineer who was asked to resign…
You know, I do agree with some of the readers who have been writing in saying that Jay-Z could have played a bunch of different tracks during his two night stint here in Miami that would have made the concerts better. I’ve got personal favorites that never game out but…
The next time you are heading south on Biscayne Boulevard look to your right just before you go under I-195 and you’ll spot this interesting piece. We’ve written about the artist and, um, debates surrounding his work. Click here to read that story. — Elvis Ramirez Elvis Ramirez…
