Artist: Major Lazer

Hails from: Philadelphia/London

Musical Style: Dancehall, Reggae, Electronica, Club/Dance

For Fans of: M.I.A., Santigold, Simian Mobile Disco

Why You Should Check Them Out:

The dancehall side project of DJ/producers Diplo (Wes Pentz, of Philadelphia) and Switch (Dave Taylor of London), Major Lazer is infecting dance floors all over the globe. The endlessly creative duo—responsible for M.I.A.’s Grammy-nominated “Paper Planes”—combine forces to create some of the best jams of 2009.

Background Check:

Who doesn’t like a little wacky mythology to spice up their record collection? In order to best disseminate their latest reggae-inflected grooves, Diplo and Switch created the character Major Lazer—a Jamaican commando who lost his arms in the secret Zombie War of 1984 (never heard of it?). According to legend, US military forces rescued the “major” and fashioned him with prosthetic limbs formed from experimental lazers. Major Lazer, under cover as a dancehall club owner, enlists the help of—you guessed it—Diplo and Switch to produce his first LP.

In their own words, the group produces, “futuristic dancehall and digital reggae sounds crafted as a soundtrack to a not-so-distant dystopian future.” Major Lazer endeavors to defeat evil forces through partying and killer tunes—along with his rocket-powered skateboard.

Whatever the intention, the ensuing album, Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do, is a dancehall tour de force. Filled with big beats and electronic pulses, the album revolves around nasty basslines and crafty samples. The Major throws in plenty of found sounds, sex-laden lyrics and a little Auto-Tune zaniness for good measure. The record features an array of guests including Santigold, Nina Sky and Amanda Blank, as well as dancehall stars Mr. Lex, Ms. Thing, Mr. Vegas and Vybz Kartel.

To ensure proper defense against the supposedly encroaching monsters, vampires and zombies lurking just beneath the surface of our “civilized society,” you might just want to arm yourself with a copy.

Where you can find them in Cyberspace:

Majorlazer.com

Myspace

On Tour:

JamBase 

Artist: Charlift

Hails From: Brooklyn, NY

Musical Style: Pop, Indie, Electronica

For Fans of: Bjork, MGMT, Ida Maria

Why you should check them out:

With a flair for quizzical songwriting and delighting electronic production, Brooklyn’s Chairlift is the next persuasive force out of the already notoriously inspired Burough. Fronted by Caroline Polachek’s vocal bounciness and already a support staple on several notable tours, Chairlift are raising spirits and eyebrows with their full length debut, Does You Inspire You.

Background check:

The trio originally set forth their aural inventiveness upon the soundtracks of haunted tours within their hometown of Boulder, Co. It was only after they realized their music could do so much more than spook ghost hunters that Caroline Polachek, Aaron Pfenning, and Patrick Wimberly headed east to the Big Apple and began a torrid musical affair alongside other notably experimental Brooklynites MGMT and Grizzly Bear. Soon, those acts were on national stages while Chairlift stayed local and true, that is until their song “Bruises” began the commercial circuit accompanying an IPod spot. Now the group is poised to bring their infectious and surprisingly varied sound to broader shores.

While the bubbly pop of “Bruises” sustains as the group’s calling card, their output easily escapes such confining labels. Songs like “Planet Health” are pure 80’s ecstasy founded on funky electronic bass lines and Polachek’s sultry serenades. Other tunes, such as “Evident Utensil”, could as easily be from the future as the past. With Pfenning alternating Polachek’s sweetness with a relative sour affection, Chairlift will surely satisfy the yesteryear devotees as well as the futurists looking for that new and unique take on pop music.

Where you can find them in Cyberspace:

MySpace

Charlift Website

Wikipedia

On Tour:

JamBase

Artist: Rye Rye

Hails From: Baltimore, MD

Musical Style: Rap, Dance, Hip-Hop

For Fans of: M.I.A., Santigold, DJ Blaqstarr

Why you should check her out:
 

Ryeisha “Rye Rye” Berrain is the next big thing to happen to music. Though she has yet to release her debut LP, this Baltimore based rapper is already receiving momentous praise right out of the gates. Maybe it’s her association to current dance queen M.I.A., or her partnership with über respected producer and musician Blaqstarr, or the amazing and aggressive chops already on display. Whatever the case, the world just can’t seem to wait for Rye Rye.

Background check:
 
Only a year ago, few people knew of a young female rapper trying to make her presence known in the underground dance scene of Baltimore. The up and coming performer first gained attention with a strategically placed song on Blaqstarr’s answering machine. Reportedly, the message was so fresh that he called her right back, beginning a partnership that would soon prove mutually beneficial for both parties. A meeting a year later began the collaboration that introduced Rye Rye to the world, specifically M.I.A., who happened upon a demo in Blaqstarr’s studio and was sold straight up, putting Rye Rye on her new label N.E.E.T. and directing the video for her upcoming release “Bang”. Pretty high praise for an 18 year old, but nothing Rye Rye couldn’t handle.

Not long after introductions Rye Rye found herself opening for M.I.A., lending her talents to remix’s, showing up on soundtracks, and selling her single “Shake It To The Ground” successfully on iTunes. Her high energy songs are happening in the clubs and hitting the streets with an unrelenting independent style. Rye Rye isn’t some timid, wide-eyed kid from the sticks. This girl is already in her own, ready to take what comes her way and light a fire under the respective ends of the music world.  

Where you can find her in Cyberspace:

MySpace    

Wikipedia

On Tour:

JamBase