A 25-year-old DJ from a South African township is set to become the first black African to go into space. Okay, he wont be playing a DJ set in space, but Mandla Maseko is one of 23 people who won a seat on an hour-long sub-orbital trip in 2015. Read further what Mandla wrote about the experience that got him a seat to space. 

I first saw an advert for the competition on television and then heard another ad on the radio. I had to send a photo of myself jumping from anywhere, so I chose to jump off a wall and my friend captured me in mid-air.

I had to answer a couple of questions and explain why I wanted to go into space. My response was: "I want to defy the laws of gravity, and go down in history as the first black South African in space."I was chosen to go to the local space camp in Parys in Free State - there were 30 of us there. I had to go through three challenges - two of them were compulsory. One was to skydive to earth from 10,000 feet, and the other was the vomit comet. 

The vomit comet is a room where you stand up against the wall and it starts spinning, and at some point the floor disappears so you end up being pushed against the wall by G-Force. The challenge in there was to pick up five flags from beneath your feet and put them above your head.

I nailed that one, and the group was narrowed down to six people and we had to do what we called the plane stunt.We were taken up to about 3,000 or 4,000 feet in a plane and the pilot did all sorts of acrobatic manoeuvres like loops, turns and the Cuban 8.

Mandla Maseko

When we got off the plane with all that adrenalin rushing around, we had to calm ourselves down very quickly, and do a written test answering questions about the flight. I made it to the top three, and we flew to Orlando in Florida on 1 December where there were 109 competitors from around the globe.

We did more challenges which were very, very, very tough, but I'm a typical township boy and I was taught to face all the challenges thrown at me head on, and I did. We had to do air flight simulation, air combat, the zero gravity flight, the assault courses - you name them. I completed them all successfully.

When they announced the winners and called out my name I wasn't prepared, so the minute I realised that it was my name that got called out, my body ignited - it was an out of body experience. It still hasn't really sunk in yet. I think it'll sink in the minute I launch into space.

I will take my South African flag that has a map of Africa on it. I also want to take a song by PJ Powers and Ladysmith Black Mambazo called World in Union. "If I win, lose or draw, it's a victory for all. It's a world in union, the world as one. As we climb to reach our destiny a new age has begun" - those are the words that really speak to me in the song.

I will also play my national anthem as I go into the space craft - that goes without saying; I have to play my national anthem. My family and friends are all excited and happy for me. I was born and raised in Mabopane and Soshanguve townships, so I'm a Pretorian to the core. Thanks to my Dad, I've never gone to bed without having eaten or without having a roof over my head.

And my Mum - I would go for an interview and then come back and not get the job and she would be like: "Ah don't worry, something bigger is coming for you - this one was not for you."

I would be like, "Ah you're my Mum - you're supposed to say such things." But then when something happens, like me going to space then it's like wow, my Mum really said it: "This is big." Usually we hear about these kinds of achievements being accomplished by people who are not from our own surroundings, but then when it happens to someone that you can relate to, it becomes an overwhelming feeling, so people who live near me are happy.

Lynx Suborbital Vehicle - The craft that will be taking the winners to space. 

I get stopped and people say: "We are proud and we are behind you all the way."

Now space is reachable - it was a far-fetched dream for us township people. Now it is achievable and I am hoping and praying that people will be interested in it more. I wanted to do something out of the ordinary - I like to explore things and this was a great opportunity for me.

I wanted to do something that will motivate and inspire the youth of South Africa and Africa as a whole, and hopefully to some extent, the youth worldwide, and show that it doesn't matter what background you come from, you can have whatever you want as long as you put hard work and determination into it.

After I go into space I am hoping to finish my civil engineering studies. I had to put them on hold before the competition because I didn't have enough money to fund them. I would also like to study aeronautical engineering and hopefully qualify as a mission specialist, and then next time, go to the moon to plant the South African flag there.

(via BBC News)

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CAPE TOWN. The City of Cape Town has formally pledged its support to The Cape Town Electronic Music Festival by providing an iconic public space, The Grand Parade as the venue for the third edition of the festival which will take place from 7 – 9 February 2014.

“The City of Cape Town is proud to be associated with the Cape Town Electronic Music Festival 2014,” said Councilor Grant Pascoe, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Marketing “the festival manifests City goals by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds from across the City, the country and the world to enjoy a first-class electronic music experience.” “The festival’s development programmes are in line with the City’s vision to create opportunities through learning and exposure to new ideas.”

“As the space where all the communities of Cape Town have always met to trade, debate, protest, celebrate, parade and entertain – The Grand Parade fulfills its original mandate as the venue for CTEMF” said festival organizer Duncan Ringrose. “We couldn’t be prouder to use this historical landmark as the space to unite people from all over the country and the world through electronic music.” 

Established in 2012 as a platform to celebrate the progress made by South Africa’s electronic music scene over the last fifteen years, CTEMF is gaining recognition as one of the most relevant and forward-thinking events in South Africa’s festival calendar through it’s dynamic line-up and far-reaching programme of workshops and satellite events.

Surrounded by the Cape Town City Hall, the Castle of Good Hope and the Cape Town railway station - for centuries The Grand Parade was at the heart of Cape Town’s public life and the setting for some of the country’s most important historical moments.

The position of Jan van Riebeck’s original fort in the 1650’s and later the site of one of the biggest multiracial protests against apartheid on 14 September 1989 - it was here too that crowds gathered to hear Nelson Mandela address the world from the City Hall balcony just hours after his release from prison in 1990 and following his election as president on 9 May 1994.

In line with its commitment to cultural development The City of Cape Town breathed new life into the once crucial public space by refurbishing it extensively in 2010 ahead of the FIFA World Cup - transforming its role in the lives of Capetonians from car park to a trading, cultural and music centre.

CTEMF headliners were announced via social media in December - house don Dixon (Germany), drum ‘n bass trio Noisia (Netherlands) and hip hop pioneer DJ The Original Jazzy Jay (US) are the house, bass and hip hop headliners respectively – only three of the thirteen high profile acts making up the first announcement. 

Other acts revealed include American house producer Justin Martin, UK bass hero Benga, a collaborative performance from local stars Jullian Gomes and Culoe De Song, one of South Africa’s most successful trance exports DJ/producer Protoculture, Black Coffee, Dirty Paraffin, Haezer, Portable (UK), J-Phlip (US) and Crazy White Boy.

Full CTEMF Dates: 4 – 9 February 2014
Workshop and Satellite Events: 4 – 7 February 2014
CTEMF Festival: 7 – 9 February 2014
Venue: The Grand Parade, Cape Town. Corner Darling and Buitenkant Street.

Tickets available through Webtickets.
Full Weekend Pass: R500 
Day pass: R200

For all the info: www.ctemf.com
Please mail info@ctemf.com for more information.

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If you've ever heard the Armand Van Helden classic "You Don't Know Me," or the Powerhouse anthem "What You Need," then you've been touched by American dance music vocalist Duane Harden. Harden recently released a new album, #NB4U, and gave us a bit of insight into the process behind it. 

Duane is something of dance music royalty, having made a surprise appearance last summer at Space Ibiza for Carl Cox’s Revolution, singing alongside Masters At Work – a sight that won’t soon be forgotten – his soulful, powerful voice turning the terrace on its head. Now, Harden has released a new album dubbed "#NB4U (Naked Before You)," and it's chock full of high-profile collaborations with the likes of Bob Sinclar, Ferry Corsten and Masters At Work's Louie Vega on "Never Stop." Duane said of the album that it's "His songwriters mixtape that will inspire you and make a difference in your life. He unveils his soul through his words and emotions in his music." We've no doubt that the album might inspire you, but we wanted to know what inspired Harden, so we caught up with the vocalist to find out some of his thoughts behind his new album, #NB4U. Read on...

Harden:"While watching Eminem & Rhianna's performance on the 2011 Grammy Awards show of ‘Love The Way You Lie,’  I got inspired to create a hip hop duet project.

"Out of that inspiration, our ‘Dying Inside’ track was born performed by Jamie Drastik (Pitbull's protege) on the rap and Timomatic (Australia's Got Talent judge and Sony Plantinum artist) singing the hook. This one was actually produced by our in-house team of Moises Modesto and Jay Dabhi. Additional instruments are by William Gallego and Johnny Minsavage."

Album track preview: Duane Harden, Timomatic & Jamie Drastik ‘Dying Inside’ https://soundcloud.com/duaneharden/duane-harden-timomatic-jamie/s-3IMu7

Harden:"Katy Perry's ‘Part of Me’ both song and video was just pure empowerment. I wanted a song that would inspire young people around the world and hence, ‘This Is Ya Life,’ was born. The lyrics on the verse have a more serious side that demonstrates triumph over tragedy and the mood is lightened up with a fun chorus. When we finished writing it, what was missing was that rocker edge link Pink's ‘Raise Your Glass,’ so bringing Jessica Sutta on board from Pussycat Dolls on the vocals made perfect sense. And to give it that dance edge, the final productions from Jupiter Ace who produced Wynter Gordon's ‘Dirty Talk’ was the right pick for this one.

Album track preview: Duane Harden, Jessica Sutta & Jupiter Ace – ‘This Is Ya Life’ http://soundcloud.com/duaneharden/duane-harden-jessica-sutta-1/s-1Yh0S

Harden:"I never really heard this song on the radio, however when I stumbled upon it and saw Chris Brown's ‘Crawl’ video, I was totally moved. I wanted a ballot on the album done in my style of R&B that had a similar feel. ‘Fly On Love’ was co-written and recorded by newcomer Kelvin Scott. When we initially asked Michael Malih, he was busy finishing up his production on Madonna's MDNA album. However, he was worth the wait as I wanted him on this song because of the style he produced on Leona Lewis's ‘Can't Breathe’ and boy he really delivered on ‘Fly On Love’.

Album track preview: Duane Harden, Michael Malih & Kelvin Scott ‘Fly On Love’ https://soundcloud.com/duaneharden/duane-harden-michael-malih/s-86TBF

Thanks to Duane for giving us a bit of insight into his new album, which was out worldwide on January 20th on Soltrenz /Strictly Rhythm. You can buy #NB4U here: www.album.duaneharden.com

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It's not often enough that DJs give back through charity, so when one does, we feel strongly about spreading the word as much as we can. Read on for details.

Today, Steve Lawler announced via his Facebook page that he'll be heading on a 60-mile journey through the Grand Canyon with his wife to help raise money for charity. The donations, hosted through the non-profit Virgin Money Giving, are going towards Help A Capital Child, who help support children and young people affected by abuse, homelessness, disability, poverty and illness. 

Of the trek, Steve said, "Being a new father myslef I now fully understand there is nothing worse in the world than sick or dying children. So i am doing my thing to help just a little.. Please find it in your heart to donate generously. Any amount is helpful and goes a long way to these unfortunate children [sic]." According to Help A Capital Child, 1 in 3 children in London live below the poverty line, 70,000 children in London are living with a disability, 20,000 families across the UK have been told their child will die before them, 6 teenagers and young people are told they have cancer every day. So to help donate to this worthy cause, either click the above link via Steve's Facebook page, or head here for more information on the walk and how to donate:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=SteveLawler.

Listen to Steve Lawler on Pulse Radio.

It seems today that there are more DJ lists than ever, with every dance music media outlet compiling their favourites at one time or another. But the folks over at mediaservicesnyc.com have recently taken a slightly different approach to the DJ list, compiling a list that is in their words, "Not techno house, not deep house, not afro house. JUST HOUSE." 

According to the website, they compiled their results by taking a private industry poll with over 1000 global submissions. They then asked "regular fans" through their social network's event groups and databases who they considered to be the top house DJs around. Criteria were based on key factors like "Legendary Status," or "People who transcend the house genre," "Fan Favorites," and "Discography," leading to a final list of 150 of the world's best house artists. Here are the top 50:

001. Derrick Carter
002. Mark Farina
003. Danny Tenaglia
004. Doc Martin
005. Kenny Dope
006. Josh Wink
007. Jaime Jones
008. Osunlade
009. The Martinez Brothers
010. Green Velvet : Cajmere
011. Louie Vega
012. Kerri Chandler
013. Soul Clap
014. Hector Romero
015. Justin Martin
016. Dennis Ferrer
017. Steve Lawler
018. Tiefschwarz
019. Guy Gerber
020. Kevin Saunderson
021. Oscar G
022. DJ Sneak
023. Dj Harvey
024. Seth Troxler
025. Frankie Knuckles
026. David Morales
027. Paco Osuna
028. Cassy
029. Steve Bug
030. Black Coffee
031. Marquez Wyatt
032. Dimitri From Paris
033. Danny Krivit
034. Miguel Miggs
035. Francois K
036. Joe Claussell
037. Carl Craig
038. tINI
039. Stacey Pullen
040. Mark Knight
041. Todd Terry
042. Chus & Ceballos
043. Jellybean
044. Rocco
045. Ralf Gum
046. Ian Pooley
047. Timmy Regisford
048. Roger Sanchez
049. Erick Morillo
050. Lee Burridge

So, how did they do? Do you think Seth Troxler rates above Frankie Knuckles? Tell us!

For the other 100, as well as the "Hall Of Fame," which includes DJs like Paradise Garage's Larry Levan, Steve Silk Hurley and Deep Dish, as well as the list's "Recognized Innovators" featuring Willie Graff, DJ Justice, and Adam Gibbons, head to mediaservicesnyc.com.

Listen to Mark Farina on Pulse Radio.

The first instalment of In Their House TV has just been released. We intend on following it closely spotlighting the interviews they do with relative, local House DJ’s and producers in their creative spaces. This is a collaborative giving the artists a platform from which to express their personal philosophies, music and their opinions on the current state of House music in Cape Town and South Africa as a whole. For the second edition, they step inside Erefaan Pearce's creative space. 

The core of each episode consists of an interview with the featured artist in their production space; the goal is to paint a picture of their current activities and attitudes towardsproduction and their respective ‘scenes’. This is the past, current and future House scene as expressed by those involved. Our outlook is neither rose-tinted nor jaded. We recognise the high levels of craftsmanship and inspiration of those artists interviewed. If we choose to feature an artist, it means we have faith in the relevance of their insights and respect for their creative integrity. The end goal is a full picture, individually expressed from all sides, backgrounds and roles.

For the next instalment, they visited the home and studio of Erefaan Pearce, a veteran in the Cape Town electronic music scene. 15 years of DJing in the mother city and releases on several international labels. Watch the video he did with In Their House TV below.  

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Terrence Parker
'Life on the Back 9'
[Planet E]

Veteran Detroit DJ, Producer and Remixer Terrence Parker (TP) is back with his first solo LP since 1997's 'Detroit After Dark,' and this is a call you're going to want to take. Out now on Carl Craig's Planet E imprint, 'Life on the Back 9' is everything you'd expect from the man credited as pioneering a genre called 'Inspirational House.' With roots in gospel, soul, disco and obviously house, Parker has crafted an album that is manifestly uplifting and innately optimistic. If dancing is a form of worship, then TP just wrote the bible. 80 minutes in length, 'Life on the Back 9' consists of twelve transcendent tunes that truly celebrate what it is to be alive. Acknowledging both the good and the bad we all face, Parker says “this album is about moving forward through hard times in life to see something beautiful on the other side of difficulties.”

Parker informs us that "the title of the album was inspired by something my father said to encourage me while I was going through an extremely difficult period in my life. My father told me about one of his golf games where the first 9 holes (also known as the "front 9") seemed to be the worst he had ever played. It was so bad he felt like packing his clubs and leaving the course. However my father paused, prayed, and decided to finish the game. As he began playing the last 9 holes of the course (also known as the "back 9") he could see gradual improvement in his game as he advanced each hole. By the end of the game my father had done so well he won the entire match. My father then said to me, "Terrence if you think of your life as a game of golf, perhaps the front 9 did not go as you had liked. But don't give up because you still have the back 9."

The album opens with the feel-good "Finally (Be My Baby)," an infectious vocal cut that sets the stage for the rest of the rousing release. Picking up right where "Finally" leaves off is "Night Light," a groovy instrumental number carried by sublime synths and piano riffs. "Saved Forever" is primed for peaktime, with its provocative kickdrum and pulsing bassline. "God He Is" draws heavily on gospel, and would be just as at home in a Sunday service as in the sunny setting of a festival. "Spiritual Warfare" is a funky tech-fueled instrumental, filled with harp sounds and piano stabs. Parker finally slows things down with "Friend I Lost" and "Hiding in Your Love," the latter a tune about getting lost in dancing to music.

The listener is given time to pause with the three-minute "Selah Interlude." Appearing in the Hebrew Bible 74 times (mostly in Psalms), selah roughly translates to 'stop and listen.' The reflective recess breaks up the album, allowing the listener to embrace the pain of their past, and manifest a more desirable future, just as Parker's father did before turning around his game of golf. Appropriately, the final four tracks mark a distinct shift in the music, each one brimming with bliss and saturated in spirit.

If the first seven songs are about staying hopeful through life's trials and tribulations, the last four embody the overwhelming exuberance of finally finding the light at the end of the tunnel. "My Virtuous Woman" is bright and buoyant, glistening like the dawn of a new day. With both its words and its energy "Open Up Your Spirit" does exactly as the name implores. “We are all in this life together” it reassures, and sometimes that's all a person has to hear to triumph over tough times. The penultimate "Pentecost" is powerfully impassioned, sure to invoke spirits on the dancefloor, as on the day recalled. The album closes with the title track, dedicated to Parker's father, who inspired him to keep going when he needed it most. It's positively euphoric, bound to elicit encouragement in even the most disheartened.

Hailing from Detroit, a city that knows all too well what it is to be down (but not out), Terrence Parker's music exhibits the same resilient essence of his hometown, and spreads hope to all who hear it. 'Life on the Back 9' proves Parker's innate ability to use music as a medium for lifting the human spirit. Although heavy in religious references, it speaks directly to the soul, restoring faith without coming off as proselytizing. Indeed, for those of us who view music as our church, and worship on the dancefloor, 'Life on the Back 9' is this week's sermon, and Terrence Parker our prevailing Pastor.

Purchase the LP here.

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After wowing ears around the globe for years with his collection of singles and remixes, Norweigan DJ/producer Todd Terje has finally announced his debut full-length album. Following a considerable streak that dates back as far as 2004, Terje’s upcoming 12-track LP is titled It’s Album Time, and features previously released singles “Strandbar” and “Inspector Norse,” as well as It’s Arps b-side cuts “Swing Star Part I” and “Swing Star Part II.” As a special surprise, Terje as teamed up with legendary Roxy Music co-founder, Bryan Ferry. The album is set for release via his own Olsen imprint on April 8th. Check out the artwork and tracklist below.

1. Intro (It’s Album Time)
2. Leisure Suit Preben
3. Preben Goes To Acapulco
4. Svensk Sas
5. Strandbar
6. Delorean Dynamite
7. Johnny and Mary (Feat. Bryan Ferry)
8. Alfonso Muskendunder
9. Swing Star Part II
10. Oh Joy
11. Inspector Norse

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Prince is suing 22 unnamed fans for allowing for the free distribution of recordings of his gigs on the internet. The defendants, most of whom are anonymous, are accused of “massive infringement and bootlegging of Prince’s material.” The bootlegged recordings include his performance from March 24th, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a 1983 show in Chicago.

The websites that contained the recordings for illegal download were general interest download sites such as World of Bootleg and NPR Universe as well as Prince specific sites like Purple House and Funky Experience Four.

Prince is asking for 1 million from each of the bootleggers as well as any profits that were generated from the material and legal fees.

This is not the first time that Prince has made enemies with the internet; back in 2012, he shut down a fan-created puppet tribute to himself.

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Billboard has revealed its 2014 Power 100 list featuring a selection of music industry figures it believes are the most powerful in the industry at the moment, which Billboard defines as those with “the ability to reshape the world around you according to your vision.” At the top of the list stands power couple Jay Z ad Beyoncé, who are lauded for “leveraging their star power to release new albums in unprecendented ways.”

Coming in at No. 52 is SFX Entertainment founder and CEO Robert Sillerman, who is “turning an EDM conglomerate into a one-stop shop for global youth culture.” Sillerman has built the company into a mayor player in the EDM industry, purchasing festivals, nightclubs, music webistes, and a social media agency.

In the 72nd spot on this year’s list is Pasquale Rotella. The Insomniac founder and CEO sold about 50% of the company to Live Nation in 2013 for a reported $50 million becoming the “linchpin of its dance music strategy,” while still overseeing his massive Electric Daisy Carnival.

Check out the full list here.

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Last night after Daft Punk’s generally well-received performance along with Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers, and Stevie Wonder at the 2014 Grammys, Hollywood prop-specialist Jim Logiudice posted some photos of the robot duo’s set up that was designed by Daft Arts.

Here’s what he said about the images: “Here’s the set we built for Daft Punk’s Grammy performance tonight. This mid-century modern style set was designed by Daft Arts. Check out the old school audio equipment integrated into the set. Very cool. The recording booth is patterned after the “Mother” space craft control room from the movie Alien. The robots gold mirror mixing console actually worked and was played live.”

Check out the performance here.

Daft Punk took home five awards at The Grammys: album of the year, best dance/electronica album, best engineered album, record of the year, and best pop duo/group performance. The Grammys marked Daft Punk’s second-ever televised performance.

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Disclosure have been busy on the collaboration front of late, having teamed up with R&B diva Mary J. Blige and A Tribe Called Quest rapper and acclaimed producer, Q-Tip.

Now it appears another big name collaboration is on the cards, this time with New Zealand sensation and recent Grammy winner, Lorde. However this isn't a studio collaboration, but rather a live one. The Brit Awards tweeted a picture of Lorde's face with the Disclosure treatment, suggesting a joint performance at the upcoming awards ceremony on February 19.

We'll just have to wait and see what they'll be performing. Until then, check out the brilliant new video for Disclosure's 'Grab Her' below.

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It wouldn't be bogan day, erm sorry Australia Day, without Triple J's annual Hottest 100 countdown blaring from the speakers. This year the poll was topped by Melbourne's own singer-songwriter Vance Joy with his track, ‘Riptide’.

Dance and electronic music got a fair look in, with 'Get Lucky' making it to #3, James Blake's 'Retrograde' at #13, Disclosure's burner 'When A Fire Starts To Burn' coming in at #23 and more - you can check out the full list below.

Triple J Hottest 100:
1 Riptide Vance Joy
2 Royals Lorde
3 Get Lucky Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
4 Do I Wanna Know Arctic Monkeys
5 Drop the Game Flume and Chet Faker
6 Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High Arctic Monkeys
7 Young and Beautiful Lana Del Ray
8 Resolution Matt Corby
9 Is This How You Feel? The Preatures
10 Strong London Grammar
11 The Wire Haim
12 Tennis Court Lorde
13 Retrograde James Blake
14 Covered in Chrome Violent Soho
15 Team Lorde
16 Reflektor Arcade Fire
17 Lose Yourself to Dance Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams
18 Arabella Arctic Monkeys
19 Given the Chance The Kite String Tangle
20 Black Skinhead Kanye West
21 Take Me RUFUS
22 Lanterns Birds of Tokyo
23 When a Fire Starts to Burn Disclosure
24 Waiting All Night Rudimantal featuring Ella Eyre
25 Your Body is a Weapon The Wombats
26 Step Vampire Weekend
27 Falling Haim
28 Recover Chvrches
29 My Number Foals
30 Alive Empire of the Sun
31 Diane Young Vampire Weekend
32 Smiles Don’t Lie Thundamentals
33 Ways to Go Grouplove
34 Desert Night RUFUS
35 Hey Now London Grammar
36 Ratchet Bloc Party
37 Gun Chvrches
38 Pizza Guy Touch Sensitive
39 Get Lucky (Like a Version) San Cisco
40 Born To Die The Amity Affliction
41 Southern Sun Boy & Bear
42 White Lies Max Frost
43 3005 Childish Gambino
44 The Breach Dustin Tebbutt
45 Global Concepts Robert DeLong
46 If I Had A Tail Queens Of The Stone Age
47 Free Rudimental featuring Emeli Sande
48 Stand Still Flight Facilities featuring Micky Green
49 Doin’ It Right Daft Punk featuring Panda Bear
50 Love Me Again John Newman
51 Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat Fatboy Slim & Riva Starr
52 Scar Cloud Control
53 Ohio Kingswood
54 Afterlife Arcade Fire
55 Harlequin Dream Boy & Bear
56 If I Could Change Your Mind Haim
57 Keep On Running Andy Bull
58 Instant Crush Daft Punk featuring Julian Casablancas
59 Bound 2 Kanye West
60 Lies Chvrches
61 Wasting My Young Years London Grammar
62 Embrace Goldroom
63 You & Me (Flume Remix) Disclosure
64 Graceless The National
65 Melt Chet Faker featuring Kilo Kish
66 Ausmusic Month Medley (Like A Version) Illy
67 Act Your Age Bliss N Eso
68 Sweet Nothing (Like A Version) Something For Kate
69 White Noise Disclosure featuring AlunaGeorge
70 Australia Street Sticky Fingers
71 Changing Of The Seasons Two Door Cinema Club
72 I Sat By The Ocean Queens Of The Stone Age
73 Thank You Busta Rhymes featuring Q-Tip
74 Jessica Major Lazer featuring Ezra Koenig
75 I Spy Mikhael Paskalev
76 Listen To Soul, Listen To Blues SAFIA
77 Youngbloods Illy featuring Ahren Stringer
78 Fantasy MS MR
79 Fuckin’ Problems A$AP Rocky featuring Drake, 2 Chainz, & Kendrick Lamar
80 Always Panama
81 Baby I Am Nobody Now Andy Bull
82 Dojo Rising Cloud Control
83 The End The Jezabels
84 Summer Forgive Me British India
85 Sangria Remi
86 Sleepwalking Bring Me The Horizon
87 Only One John Butler Trio
88 Leeward Side Josh Pyke
89 Brighter Than Gold The Cat Empire
90 Unbelievers Vampire Weekend
91 Tonight RUFUS
92 Shadow Moses Bring Me The Horizon
93 Elevate St Lucia
94 House Of Dreams Bliss N Eso
95 Play With Fire Vance Joy
96 Luck Now Big Scary
97 My God Is The Sun Queens Of The Stone Age
98 Dead Star Shine Horrorshow
99 Without You Dillon Francis featuring Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
100 We Are Karnivool

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The Stafford Brothers are being sued by the owners of a property in Los Angeles, which they rented to film a video clip, reports TMZ.

The owners claim the Aussie expats trashed their place by letting a live kangaroo roam free, along with installing a skate ramp, pouring liquid nitrogen in the house and illegally serving alcohol. The main damage, though, appears to have come from the racous activities that transpired during the filming of the 'Hello' video, which features Lil Wayne, Christina Milian...and a kangaroo.

The owners are seeking US $125,000 ($143,000) in repairs and punitive damages from Chris and Matt Stafford, claiming the party shown in the Hello video was just one of many that violated the terms of their lease.

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The recent 'Best Major Festival' winner of the 2014 European Festival Awards has announced the first acts. 

On the bill so far for the 2014 Exit Festival are live looping artist Dub FX (pictured), who'll play July 10th, dubstep duo Koven, who'll play July 11th, Skrillex (live), who'll play July 12th, and Rudimental (live), who'll play July 11th. Exit will take place from July 10-13 at the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Vojvodina, and for the 15th anniversary of the summer event comes the announcement of the Sea Dance Festival at Jaz Beach at Budva, Montenegro from July 15-17th, called Exit Adventure. Head to exittrip.org/eng for more details.

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Dirtybird label boss Claude VonStroke is set to compile the label's latest yearly mix, "Dirtybird BBQ," which is set for release on February 25th. 

Named after the notorious daytime BBQ parties the San Francisco-based crew hold, "Dirtybird BBQ" will feature several of the label's fixtures, including Justin Martin, Catz 'N Dogz, Christian Martin, and Justin Jay, as well as a few newcomers. Following the release of last year's Dirtybird Players, this latest mix pieces together tracks collected of the last 6 months by VonStroke, and according to RA, might signal the promise of a BBQ party world tour to come. 

Tracklist
01. Justin Martin - Buggin' (DJ Version)
02. Shiba San - Okay
03. Catz 'N Dogz - Drop It
04. SecondCity & Tyler Rowe - I Enter
05. Ghostea - Breathing Room
06. Christian Martin - Martian Landing
07. Nick Olivetti & Alli Borem - Da Noyz
08. Justin Jay - Le Voyou
09. Galen - ICANCU
10. Cause Affect - Tickle
11. Ardalan - No Excuses

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Once again the CTEMF is back in Cape Town, here to discover what inspires,  who has progressed and why, which names to watch, which global artists are shaping trends in South Africa, but most importantly which South African artists are shaping trends globally. The Cape Town Electronic Music Festival holds workshops that enable, or give insight on some of the questions that you might have that pertains either to the industry as you know it, or your career. Read further for details. 

Bridges For Music: Last year’s Open End saw the introduction of Bridges For Music, a non-profit organization supporting electronic music development in developing countries, with the last day of workshops being hosted at Guga S'thebe in Langa featuring Richie Hawtin, Black Coffee and Niskerone. Having been such a success, it lead to several other workshops throughout 2013 with the likes of Skrillex and Luciano, this year the CTEMF in partnership with Bridges For Music will return to Guga S'thebe for the last day of workshops.

CTEMF Open End: The CTEMF workshop series has become an integral part of the program and focus. With the thinking that if we are to see this industry move forward in a positive direction, it is vital that we open its opportunities up to the next generation of emerging artists. It is through discussion and engagement that a genuine interest in the industry and scene can be nurtured.

With such a diverse and credible list of international acts at this year’s Cape Town Electronic Music Festival, they have more of a focus on the high profile internationals and will be looking to get their stories, tips and opinions on the Electronic Music scene to as wide an audience as possible; from tales about the birth of Hip Hop on the streets of 80’s Brooklyn, to the latest wave of House sweeping the globe. They will be taking a look at the structures that support an artist’s career and the corporate capitalisation of Culture. The space is designed to allow EDM enthusiasts to listen, discuss, debate and move forward in building the Industry.

CTEMF Deep End: Last year they introduced the CTEMF DEEP END in an effort to create a platform that looked deeper into the studio and production side of EDM. The sessions are limited to a small number of attendees and will be held at various Artists Studios around Cape Town.

Should you be interested in being part of the DEEP END please email workshop@ctemf.com with a short bit about yourself, why you make electronic music and what local artists you follow.

Details: The CTEMF Open End will be taking place at the Red Bull Studios Cape Town, 103B Bree St, Cape Town CBD 
When: On the 4th and 5th of Feb from 15:00 to 20:00 

In conjunction with Bridges For Music at Guga S’Thebe, cnr Washington & Church Sts, Langa, on the 6th of Feb from 15:00 to 20:00 
Please RSVP to workshop@ctemf.com if you are interested in attending as seating is limited.

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After sharing his Live in Tokyo mix with fans, and giving away 15 unreleased tunes in celebration of reaching 100 thousand Twitter followers, Four Tet is releasing yet another bit of music with this hour-long mix. Listen and download here.

The mix, given the obscure title 1234567890qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm (DJ mix JAN 2014), doesn't feature a track list, and also follows Kieran Hebden's go at Don’t Watch That’s "Beat This" series, which shows the producer sampling Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to make a new beat in just 10 minutes. 

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After announcing that the recently reunited hip-hop duo would play a whopping 40 festivals this year, it's now been confirmed that their first UK stop will be this year's Bestival. 

Held from September 4-7 at Robin Hill Country Park, the event will be only one of two UK festival performances by Outkast this year.

"Hey ya! By the power invested in me as chief Bestival booker, I'm pretty darn excited to announce that Outkast are headlining Bestival this year!" Radio 1 presenter and Bestival head Rob da Bank said in a statement. "We've fought hard to get the recently reunited legendary hip-hop duo on to the ferry … and it's no ordinary ferry this year, as Bestival goes Desert Island Disco for 2014 … Palm trees, grass skirts and mirrorballs are the order of the day. It truly is gonna be the Bestival yet!"

Reuniting for their 20th anniversary after a 7 year break, the duo are scheduled to hit festivals like Coachella in California and Governor’s Ball in New York, though their schedule still seems free for Glastonbury. Last year's headliners for Bestival were Elton John, Snoop Dogg and Fatboy Slim. Tickets and more info can be found at ticketline.co.uk/bestival-tickets.

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