Show 'em off Madge!

The first song I remember hearing again and again on the radio was Madonna's "Lucky Star." I was two years old. At this point in life, my MTV obsession was burgeoning. I loved to "Jump" with David Lee Roth, and "Shout with Tears" for Fears, had inappropriately "Sweet Dreams" with the Eurythmics. While those others stayed in New York when I moved away at four, Madonna came with me everywhere we went. I was totally true blue to Madge. 
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Two of our favorite local wordsmiths Serum and Manifesto rock it out like the pair of insurgents they are in our scene. I don't know if it's the enjoyable jams they keep kicking out or the sheer amount of work they produce but I've often noted that one of my favorite selling points in Serum's delivery is the bizarro blend of sci-fi paranoia and the gruffness of his voice which hints at the desperation of someone trying to get something crucial out.

Working together is a logical move for both MCs, they flow well, there's an obvious chemistry between them and the voices are complimentary in an almost symbiotic manner. Serum's usually giving it away for free but this time you can pick up the track and the new album The S&M Project - Hott Waxx fresh on the iTunes here or at Amazon.com there.

See also:
- Download Serum's New Hip-Hop EP Daydream of Nightmares for Free
- Serum's New Video for "Dr. Moreau" Keeps His Hip-Hop Refreshingly Dark
- Mupalia Pictures' Short Film Furca Features Serum, Manifesto, Deaf Poets, and Nastie (Video)

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The inspiration!

Also see:
Things to Consider Before Heading to Rick Ross' Album Release Party at King of Diamonds

County Grind decided to go where no DIY website or zine or whatever has ever wanted to go. We orchestrated a tutorial for making your very own Rick Ross beard.

After hearing that Ricky Rozay will be signing copies of his new album God Forgives, I Don't this evening at the Pembroke Pines Best Buy, I set on a quest to create my own Rick Ross beard. I'll be wearing this beard tonight at the signing, so you might want to head out there to catch that.
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For such a chilly state, Minnesota has produced many a hot musical act. You've got the Replacements, Prince, and, well, Tay Zonday... Yup, that's right, the fucking "Chocolate Rain" guy is from Minnesota. Breathe that in.

Anyway, the state is also home to indie pop duo Daymoths, composed of keyboardist and vocalist Emily Dantuma and drummer and vocalist Ollie Dodge. This husband and wife pair are performing in Lake Worth tonight at Speakeasy Lounge. Ben Pachter, frontman of Boca rock act Montage and past show-mate, calls the group "a great studio band and an even greater live band." So, we thought we'd ring the St. Paul scene veterans and chat about Steve Rullman and the handmade soaps they sling at their merch table.

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Over the years, a fair share of music promoters have made their respective marks on the local music scene. While some have come and go, many others have soldiered on in thankless capacities. Their contributions have been at the forefront of making (or at least trying to make) South Florida a viable and lucrative destination for touring bands.

As of recent, the local punk and hardcore scene received a much-needed shot in the vein thanks to the efforts of the Speedfreek crew. Roger Forbes and Torche's Rick Smith developed a unique way of bringing bands to our backyard. We recently had a chance to catch up with one-half of Speedfreak, Roger Forbes, to shed some light on their approach and on the upcoming and promising 305 Fest 2012.More »

Ever wonder what the underground hip-hop scene is like in Cuba? If you're Cuban-American, first, second, or even third generation, ever wonder why you feel so strongly about the island though you only know it through pictures and abuela's stories?

Lifelong friends DJ EFN and Garcia -- esteemed members of the local hip-hop community since the early '90s -- have wondered just that. They're now trying to find out what's happening just 90 miles away. They, as Crazy Hood Productions, need a little bit of your help to create an upcoming documentary/recording on the state of hip-hop within the political isolation of Cuba today.

That's right, and here I will not pussyfoot about anything fearing an Ozzie Guillen-like backlash, these two dudes just want to connect with their familial roots first, and secondly, see how their art has flourished under the extreme conditions of the Castro regime.

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Look at these two, so artsy.

​Starving as an artist sucks. Starving, period, sucks. That's why it's so sweet that Dada is hosting Trauma Hawk, a co-op event for artists to sell their usable art, made mostly with recycled materials, this Sunday. They'll make money and do things like eat with it. 

Artist and musician Maitejosune Urrechaga is not only bringing some of her own artwork to the venue but she's also performing original music with her husband and bandmate, Tony Kapel, as Pocket of Lollipops. The sophisticated punk-rock band blurs the lines between art and music. "Last time we played at Dada," she says, "we got a bunch of the audience members to participate in a little coloring project while we played."

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