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Miami Music Week: Which Track Reigned Supreme?

Posted 4/1/11 2:00 pm EST by in Music


By Adam Stewart

Have you recovered yet? We barely have. And now that everyone is home and chasing down the hot tunes that they can't shake from their craniums, we're asking the fans what they think the biggest track of Miami Music Week was. With so many great new tunes popping up on the scene, there are lots to choose from. Every year brings an unofficial anthem of the festival, like Pryda's "Pjanoo" in 2008, David Guetta's "When Love Takes Over" from 2009 and Swedish House Mafia's "One" in 2010. Which song from this year's version will end up permanently spinning on our iPods?

The MTV News staff has narrowed it down to what we feel the biggest tracks that we seemed to hear everywhere we went. The Swedes nearly blew up Masquerade Motel with "Save the World," and Above & Beyond's "Sun & Moon" set the Ice Palace on fire. Tiësto, Mark Knight and Dino's "Beautiful World," and the Skrillex remix of Benassi's "Cinema" were fan faves at Ultra Music Festival. And you couldn't go anywhere without hearing Calvin Harris' "Awooga," or Dirty South's remix of Diddy Dirty Money's "Coming Home."

These tracks were all the rage, and they certainly tickled our eardrums everywhere we turned. So spread the word, send to all of your friends, and rally the troops to get the most votes for your favorite. Who will come out on top? It's in your hands! And be sure to grab these tracks and more music from Miami Music week at Beatport.com!

Did we miss any songs? What are your favorites from Miami Music Week? Let us know in the comments!

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Deadmau5, Swedish House Mafia Among Winners At Beatport Music Awards

Posted 3/28/11 4:05 pm EST by in Music


By Adam Stewart

On Sunday (March 27), Beatport Beach played host to the fourth annual Beatport Music Awards, and for the first time the presentations was made on a live stage. The awards are broken down in to three categoires: Top Tracks (based on record sales), Community Choice (determined by over 10,000 fan ballots) and Staff Picks (selected by the by the Beatport team).

The Top Track award winners included Skrillex (who won Top Dubstep Track for his massive "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites") and Wolfgang Gartner and Deadmau5 (for their collaboration on "Animal Rights").

Also receiving Top Track honors were Martin Solveig's Dragonette-assisted "Hello (Club Mix)" and Swedish House Mafia's "One."

In the Community Choice categories, the Swedes again took honors with "One" (which was named Track of the Year) and Deadmau5 (who snagged Artist of the Year).

Umek was named Artist of the Year in the Staff Picks Category, and Art Department picked up a BMA for Track of the Year with "Without You." The industry and Beatport also honored one of the greats, handing out their Lifetime Achievement Award to Carl Craig.

For the full list of winners, be sure to check out Beaportal.com, and follow our MTV News crew on Twitter (@AdamMTVNews and @ASBhansali) for all of the action out of Miami Music Week!

Photo: Jordan Loyd

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Miami Music Week, Day Two: Luciano, Roger Sanchez And Lots Of Hot Dancing

Posted 3/25/11 1:15 pm EST by in Music


Kirill Bichutsky is the most prominent nightlife photographer in America. Virtually every night of the week, Kirill's job sends him to the most exclusive nightclubs photographing unapologetic celebrities and beautiful party revelers. So when it came time to head down to Florida for Miami Music Week and Ultra Music Festival, MTV News was happy to have him as part of the team. His complete works can be found at kirillwashere.com.

By KirillWasHere

After catching five hours of shuteye, I headed over to the Fool's Gold Rap Party at the Standard docks. It was a breath of fresh air to get away from the claustrophobic crowds I had experienced so far, as there was a big open space with tons of hispters, DJs and industry types lounging around while listening to Nick Catchdubs, Busy P, Mehdi, A-Trak and Craze. The highlight of the party was making use of the empty outdoor bathtubs with the help of a few hot chicks.

(Click here for more great photos from Miami Music Week!)

Then it was back to the Shelborne for Luciano. When I say it was packed, it's an understatement. I could barely make my away through the crowd, so I made my way to the DJ booth, where Naomi Campbell was partying right along side Luciano. Of all the DJs I have shot, Luciano is definitely one of the biggest camera hams. Since I couldn't move around the party and my photos of Luciano were good enough for me, it was time to move on.

At some point during the day, I got word that Roger Sanchez was DJing a private party at Setai, so I was determined to sneak in somehow. Luckily, most places let you waltz right in with a camera (because everyone needs the press) and I was able to make my way to the DJ booth. Roger was killing it for a light crowd of sophisticated socialite types (all of whom seemed imported directly from NYC).

The final stop of the day was Arkadia, the basement club before LIV. I hate clubs with low ceilings, but the crazy light system and the phenomenal music cranked out by Eddie Thoneick kept me pretty distracted. Apparently, this was the party to be at, as friends were texting me to wait for them at Arkadia as they escaped the stuffiness of LIV.

I finished off the night with a sandwich at La Sandwicherie before getting my beauty sleep.

(Click here for more great photos from Miami Music Week!)

Be sure to follow our MTV News crew on Twitter (@AdamMTVNews and @ASBhansali) for all of the latest MMW action!

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Miami Music Week, Day One: Lil Jon, A-Trak, Tommy Lee Light Up LIV

Posted 3/24/11 5:01 pm EST by in Music


Kirill Bichutsky is the most prominent nightlife photographer in America. Virtually every night of the week, Kirill's job sends him to the most exclusive nightclubs photographing unapologetic celebrities and beautiful party revelers. So when it came time to head down to Florida for Miami Music Week and Ultra Music Festival, MTV News was happy to have him as part of the team. His complete works can be found at kirillwashere.com.

By KirillWasHere

I landed in Miami and headed straight to the DJ Mag pool party at the Shelborne where I caught up with A-Trak and Nick Catchdubs (they run Fools Gold, the biggest little record label in the world), Armand van Helden (the other half of Duck Sauce), James Zebiela and Dennis Ferrer. Fast forward three hours, and we're doing shots of Don Julio with Luciano at the bar (guess he wanted to check out the spot before his gig on Thursday). And as all good things must come to an end, it was time to leave the growing group of half-naked drunk girls to their merry ways and head over to LIV.

I've been to LIV many times, but this was a sight to be seen. The line to get into the party extended into the street. After a few lies and name-drops, they finally let me in to document the debauchery that is LIV: loud music, bright lights and sweaty girls. I'm not the best judge of what makes a house music DJ good or bad, but I am one to judge a good party, and this was it. Tommy Lee, Tiësto, Afrojack, A-Trak, Lil Jon and probably more of the who's-who were all on hand to witness Laid Back Luke absolutely destroy LIV.

My good friend and travel buddy Wynter Gordon ("Dirty Talk") was supposed to perform, but due to a freak snowstorm in New York, she wasn't able to make it. I wish I could have stayed longer, but my arm was literally about to fall off from holding a camera all day, and besides — this was only day one.

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Miami Music Week 2011's Top Pool And Beach Parties: A Handy Guide

Posted 3/18/11 2:30 pm EST by in Music


By Adam Stewart

Hit the tanning beds and kick it up a notch in the gym, because we're less than a week away from Miami Music Week! If you haven't started formulating your plan just yet, then you might want to pay attention. Whether you're a MMW newbie or an old WMC veteran, you should know that the best part of the week is the day life. To help you along your merry way, we've gone ahead and thrown together a list of events that should take high priority on your daily agenda (because they're certainly at the top of ours). Hurry up and get your tickets now, or else you'll be left on the wrong side of the velvet rope cursing the fact that you could have been there too.

Beatport Beach at the Gansevoort
Miss out on getting tickets to Masquerade Motel and still dying to see the Swedes? This might be your chance. Running from Thursday (March 24) through Sunday (March 27), Beatport Beach is one of our perennial favorites. The good folks at Beatport will again give back to the EDM community with a series of free showcases that highlight some of the biggest names in the biz. The Mau5trap showcase on Friday includes Skrillex and Tommy Lee (with surprise guests!), while Sunday's Size Records showcase is presented by Steve Angello and Friends (which means even more surprises). However, we must relay a word to the wise: Get there early. Like way early. Shows start at noon, but we recommend you line up with a few bottles of water and an egg sandwich no later than 10 a.m.

Nikki Beach
Nikki Beach has long been considered the premier outdoor club venue in Miami, and what they have lined up for this year is no exception. Kicking off on Tuesday (March 22) with Miami Massive (an early bird special of sorts headlined by the awesome Aussie duo TV Rock), the week's lineup is very promising, including Jaochim Garraud, Alex Gaudino, Max Vangeli, Armand Van Helden and many more.

The Surfcomber Pool Parties
Want that crazy spring break vibe with some of the biggest tunes you’ll hear all week? Surfcomber is the place to be for one wildest pool parties Miami has to offer. Highlighted on Friday by Pete Tong's BBC1 Radio Party (featuring Riva Starr and Richie Hawtin), Boris' annual "Get Wet" Party on Saturday and Axwell's closing party on Sunday, the Surfcomber pool parties are nothing short of epic.

The Shelborne Pool
Looking for some real big bang for your buck? Check out "Recession Sessions 3" on Wednesday. Just 15 dollars gets you front and center at the iconic Shelborne Pool for one of the most diverse line-ups of the week. From the hard hitting big room house of Joachim Garraud to A-Trak's turntable wizardry, Recession Session is sure to please.

Check out the clip of Afrojack wooing the crowd at last year's Beatport Beach Party, where he played an untitled and yet-to-be-released collaboration with TV Rock. Be sure to stick with MTV News for all of the madness from Miami!


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The MTV News Miami Music Week Survival Guide

Posted 3/17/11 4:00 pm EST by in Music


By Adam Stewart

Miami Music Week is just around the corner, so you better be ready to party. Before you touch down on the South Florida shore, you've got to prepare. Whether this is your first time or your 10th, here are some tips that will help make your 2011 Miami Music Week one to remember.

Don't call it "WMC," because it's not. The official WMC took place last week, actually. In case you hadn't heard, things changed a bit this time around. Next week (March 22-27) is "Miami Music Week" or "Ultra Music Week," both are the acceptable terms that won't result in having people correct you all week.

Pack wisely. You'll be thrust into a non-stop partying vortex, so be prepared to be spontaneous. Just because you didn't plan to go to a certain type of event doesn't mean you won't end up at one. Daytime calls for bathing suits and flip-flops, while the evening should bring button downs and dresses. Don't forget to bring real dress shoes for the clubs (sneakers will get you stopped at the door every time). And girls, is it really necessary to wear four inch stilettos to a pool party? You're endangering your life and the safety of those around you! Also, shades, tanning lotion and pain killers are all essential and should be purchased in bulk if at all possible.

Use technology to your advantage. It's 2011, and yeah, there's an app for that. In fact, there are several apps for that. Read More...

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Swedish House Mafia Share Their 'Professional Party People' Survival Tips For Miami Music Week

Posted 3/16/11 2:30 pm EST by in Music


By Adam Stewart

Yes folks, it's almost here! We're just one short week away from escaping the chilly northeast in favor of the sandy beaches of Miami in the name of dance music. With all the pool parties, night clubs, after-hours fetes, festivals and everything in between, the potential for fun is great, but it can sometimes seem a little intimidating. But have no fear, because you're not in this alone. When we caught up with our friends in the Swedish House Mafia last March in Miami, they had some sound advice for their beat-seeking brethren.

"One [piece of] advice I have is to don't try and plan anything!" Axwell told MTV News.

"Because it will never end up that way anyway," added Sebastian Ingrosso. "It's like we're virgins every year. We go all in the first day [and] then you're destroyed the rest of the week."

"I seem to do that in reverse!" said Steve Angello with a laugh. "I seem to go all out the last day and then miss my flight back."

"Just walk around in a blur and just follow the crowd," adds Axwell. "That seems to work!"

Honestly Ax, we've found that to be one of our most tried and true models for success as well! But in all seriousness, these guys know what they're doing, so for any of you Miami Music Week virgins out there, heed their warnings and jot down some notes. These guys are pros, after all — remember that time they partied at 30,000 feet with Tiësto on his private plane?

"You guys should listen, because we're professional party people," says Angello. "We do this five days a week. Like, we know what we're talking about. Just try to sleep before you get here!"

For more Survival 101 and Ingrosso's go-to drink recipe, be sure to check out "Tipsy Tips From Steve, Ax and Seb" in the video player below. That will be the first step to preparing for "Masquerade Motel: One Night Stand" show on March 26!


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WMC Artist To Watch: Maya Vanya

Posted 3/19/10 2:35 pm EST by in Music


By Adam Stewart

Maya Vanya may just be the hottest things that New Zealand has spawned since the prehistoric creation of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The buzz that this sister duo is creating around the global electronic music community is nothing short of just that: Volcanic.

Hailing from Auckland but with Croatian roots, sisters Maya and Vanya are the talk of this year's Winter Music Conference in Miami (which kicks off this Tuesday, March 23). Winners of the "Next Generation DJ Contest" (brought about by Let's Mix, Beatport, DJ Mag and Pioneer), these brunette beauties are far more than commanding of the eyes, and they will playing ball with the big boys spinning along side some of the world's turntable heavyweights at these years festival.

The competition, which collected over 350,000 votes, was moderated by industry top dogs including producer David Waxman and Swedish House Mafia member Sebastian Ingrosso. Ingrosso recently praised the duo on Beat Portal, saying "Whenever and wherever we're on stage with the Swedish House Mafia, our first priority is always to create that hands-in-the-air vibe that simply screams party. Hearing these ladies DJ, that's just what I felt." Seb certainly doesn't dish out that sort of comparison to just anyone, so that statement got everyone's undivided attention.

The ladies have been in high demand all over New Zealand for the past year, scoring a weekly residency at the county's hottest night club as well as its top electronic radio station, George FM. Their eclectic blend of house, tech-house, tribal and disco appeal to the masses, making them a perfect floor-filling combination. MTV News will be checking them out at day two of the Beatport Beach Parties in Miami, where they'll share the bill with stars like M.A.N.D.Y. and Mark Knight. Other notable artists who have taken an interest in working with the duo include Major Lazer, Santigold, Fake Blood, TV Rock and Thomas Gold.

MTV News can't wait to catch up with these budding young stars on the ground in Miami, where they plan to put on a few sets that are sure to catapult their careers even further. The girls were kind enough to send us this message included below (apparently there are sheep everywhere you turn in New Zealand). Looking forward to Miami, ladies!

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MTV News' Guide To The Winter Music Conference: Survival 101

Posted 3/19/10 12:20 pm EST by in Music


By Adam Stewart

Welcome to MTV's essential guide to the Winter Music Conference, the annual premier dance music event in Miami. The five day event kicks off this Tuesday, March 23, but a party (or rather, series of parties) this size takes preparation and planning, which is why we're starting the festivities early. over the next few days, we'll be rolling out several blogs that will help guide you in the right direction from the moment you set foot on South Beach until you catch your flight back to reality and colder climates.

Whether you're a WMC veteran or virgin, there are a number of sure-fire dos and don'ts to keep in mind before you touch down on the hot asphalt of South Beach.

» Do pack plenty of clothing options. Miami is a beautiful place, so you have to look your best. Footwear is especially important, so don't forget to bring day shoes (flip flops), night shoes (something to dance in that isn't sneakers) and hangover shoes (sneakers). And don't forget swimwear, because, uh, it's a beach.

» Do bring sunglasses and plenty of suntan lotion, lest you turn into a lobster. Also don't forget to bring an ample supply of your painkiller of choice, as the non-stop music (and the occasional fall) will make you sore no matter how in shape you think you are.

» Do bring your ID! You will be carded almost everywhere you go.

» Don't bring a friend who thinks WMC is a relaxing weekend in the sun. Read More...

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The Super Bowl Experience: Music, Stars And Also A Football Game

Posted 2/8/10 10:30 am EST by in Behind The Scenes, Music


By Deanna Caligiuri

When my best friend asked me to be her plus-one to this year's Super Bowl in Miami, I quickly agreed. When I told her I would fly down the day before, she quickly opposed that idea. "Honey, you need to get here sooner," she told me. "It's not just the Super Bowl, it's all about the Super Bowl experience."

I quickly found out exactly what those "experiences" were. They included ESPN parties with performances by Keri Hilson and Ne-Yo and attended by everyone from Black Eyed Peas to Nick Lachey and Vanessa Manillo. Jermaine Dupri and Will.I.Am got on the mic for some impromptu performances at the after parties while Rihanna looked on from VIP.

"The Hills" stars Brody Jenner, Audrina Patridge and Kristen Cavallari traipsed all over in skimpy bathing suits and oversized shades. There were photo ops with athletes I knew (like Hines Ward; go Steelers!) and ones I didn't (Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow).

Has it always been this way? A whole weekend full of events overrun with more reality stars and celebrities than athletes? People pushing athletes out of the way to snag a photo of Drew Lachey? The mayhem of the weekend made me forget that on Sunday there was an actual football game to attend. In the end, Weezy got to witness the Saints take home their first championship and I got to take home a hoarse voice, ton of pics and an incredible "experience."

(Click here for more photos from ESPN the Magazine's NEXT event, featuring the Black Eyed Peas, Jermaine Dupri, Keri Hilson and Ne-Yo!)

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