For the 15th Memorial Day weekend in a row, Hart Plaza will be home to some of the world’s hottest electronic music acts from May 24-May 26 as Movement Electronic Music Festival returns to Detroit once again. If you’re unfamiliar with the festival, let its accolades speak for itself.
#1 on the 2010 New York Post list of “10 Outstanding Music Fests”
“Best Niche Festival”-Rolling Stone
#5 on inthemix’s list of “12 Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss in 2014”
“Best Annual Event” by the Real Detroit Weekly reader’s survey in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010
http://youtu.be/IjfYii2zOHI
The festival has gained such a reputation by bringing in a wide variety of pioneering electronic artists every year, as well as some established names in hip-hop. Past performers include: Deadmau5, Pete Rock, The Cool Kids, Girl Talk, Flying Lotus, Afrika Bambaataa, A-Trak, Fatboy Slim, Skrillex, araabMUZIK, Gesaffelstein, and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. This blend of genres is a perfect homage to Detroit, which birthed the genre of techno and has played a significant role in shaping modern hip-hop.
This blend of genres will be on full display as the 2014 edition of Movement Electronic Music Festival boasts its strongest and most diverse lineup to date. Here’s a few gems out of the lineups many great acts.
The Hip-Hop Legend
Just Blaze. What has the man not done? He produced two number one singles in a less than a year, Maroon 5’s “Make Me Wonder” and T.I.’s “Live Your Life.” He crafted soulful hip-hop classic’s such as Jay Z’s “Girls, Girls, Girls” and “Song Cry,” Kanye West’s “Touch the Sky,” Cam’Ron’s “Oh Boy,” and Jay Electronica’s “Exhibit C.” Upon hearing the “Song Cry” beat Jay Z told Just Blaze, “Right now you’re the best producer around. Nobody can take that from you.” Most recently, Just Blaze put a modern spin on his production when he pumped out the 2013 club smash hit “Higher” with co-collaborator Baauer.
http://youtu.be/FcrCiBVbNvo
The New Comer
If you ask 100 people you know who DJ Snake is and 10 of them might correctly identify him as the French trap artist who burst on to the scene with a smash hit in 2013. Play the aforementioned smash hit and all 100 of them are sure to have yelled out it’s chorus, “Turn Down for What!?” a time or two. Besides this track which currently at number six in the Billboard Hot 100, DJ Snake has pumped out remixes of Kanye West, Major Lazer and Zedd, and collaborated with other young names such as Yellow Claw and Mad Decent signee Dillon Francis. Check out his signature industrial trap sound below.
http://youtu.be/oDshxkKCYTQ
The Viral Sensation
Has one artist’s life changed more overnight than Baauer’s? After not seeing either of his 2011 releases chart, the YouTube sensation of making “Harlem Shake” videos shot the song up to number one on charts across the world. After “Harlem Shake” went platinum Baauer has produced club hits “Dum Dum” and was featured on the Remix version of Disclosure’s Settle. His menacing and almost cartoonish drops have made Baauer a mainstay in trap music.
http://youtu.be/t3a6QrXYAoA
Troll Lord
RiFF RaFF aka Jody Highroller aka Rap game Jeff Spicoli is the best example out there of the Childish Gambino album title, Because the Internet. RiFF is a testament to what a cleverly marketed, just-ridiculous-enough artist can do in the internet age: gain a cult icon status. From his cornrows, to his zigzag facial hair, to his penchant for neon clothing, and a social media presence that is equally as hilarious as it is absurd. RiFF understands his place in the rap game and plays his role as well and cleverly as anyone in music. His dirty south hip hop and flair for the ridiculous will have you asking “Is he being serious?,” while grinning because you will never knowing the answer.
http://youtu.be/Gkxolne0U5U
Other Can’t-Miss Artists
Flosstradamus
Buck, v: to get wild and uncontrollably crazy.
Flosstradamus might be responsible for most instances of making entire parties go “buck” with their music. The Chicago based trap duo’s massive sound is unmistakable and they’re the creator’s of trap’s most recognizable song,
http://youtu.be/chIKbIXdTgM
Ryan Hemsworth
The Canadian based producer has remixed everyone from Kanye West, to Disclosure, to Lorde. Every one of his remixes is accented by his trademark atmospheric vocal layering and fast paced hi-hats, making all of these artist’s work exist inside his musical universe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li2Db3CQ76Q
Anthony “Shake” Shakir
A veteran of Detroit techno who has been in the game over 30 years. If you want to better understand Detroit’s electronic roots, this pioneer’s set is one to see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZULPgx8hLww
For information about the festival: http://www.movement.us
For tickets: http://movementfestival.tix.musictoday.com/calendar.aspx
