Pitbull AKA Armando Christian Pérez, is a Cuban-American rapper signed to his own label, Mr 305 Inc. Pitbull grew up influenced both by the Cuban poet Jose Marti, whose works his parents made him memorize, and the Miami bass genre of hip hop music. His biggest hit to date is the 2009 single “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” which used music from a lessor known track “75, Brazil Street“. “I Know You Want Me” was an instant club classic and for Pitbull’s career, a second chapter. Now in 2011 Pitbull is one of many pop music artists whose sound is highly influenced by Electro and Progressive House music. The difference is that he can easily claim that he was one of the first pop artists to infuse his music with the sound of the clubs.
Pitbull has already had a busy year so far being a featured artist in hit collaborations with Jennifer Lopez, and T.Pain. With his soon to be released sixth album “Planet Pit”, Pitbull might be poised to add another few chapters to his career. The Song of the Day is his first single from “Planet Pit”, “Pause”. Enjoy and please follow the link to buy the track from iTunes.
Markus Schulz is a German progressive trance producer known for his unique style of dark brooding yet melodic productions and DJ sets. He heads his own label Coldharbour Recordings which is in collaboration with Armada. Markus has recently released the second single from his upcoming album “Thoughts Become Things II”, entitled “Sleepwalkers (Don’t Stop)”. The song is a collaboration with old school rap artists Grandmaster Mele Mel & Scorpio (remember them?). It’s such a pleasing track and it screams DANCE TO THIS! Take a listen and it’s ok if you tap a toe or shuffle in your chair a bit.
Oh and by the way… Markus Schulz will be in St. Louis June 25th, you can get the details HERE. Get those tickets!
Above & Beyond are a British trance music group formed in 2000 and consists of the members Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness, and Paavo Siljamäki. The trio are popular in the electronic dance music scene for their uplifting trance productions and collaborations with renowned vocalists. They have their own record label, Anjunabeats, which releases trance and progressive music. They also host their own weekly radio show, Trance Around the World. Monday, June 6th marked their latest and some would say greatest achievement to date with the release of their second artist album “Group Therapy”.
One of the advance singles released from “Group Therapy” is the powerful, well-crafted song “Thing Called Love”. The song feature vocals from longtime Above & Beyond collaborator Richard Bedford. It is simply an amazing song and easily one of the best tracks of 2011. The song has spawned a slew of remixes which are being released separately by genre (thank you). Here is the official video and a very special look at “Group Therapy”. Check out both and fire up iTunes to add “Group Therapy” to your collection, you won’t regret it.
Today is a holiday, Memorial Day to be precise. It is a day to remember those that have gone before us. Although this may be a solemn occasion for many there are those that are simply enjoying a bit of well deserved time off. Today’s Monday Mixtape tries to incorporate both of those themes. It is a look back at the bygone era of Disco while keeping a present day sense of fun. We hope you enjoy it and blast it loudly in your house, car, or backyard! Have a good one.
