The controversy surrounding Future Music Festival just keeps getting worse. Last year in Malaysia, the third day of the festival was cancelled due to a drug-related death. The number of victims connected to the festival was disputed, as there were up to 6 alleged deaths connected to the event. Just last week, Future Music Festival Asia was reported to likely be cancelled due to the deaths last year in Malaysia. The event has now seen its permits be denied twice by officials and despite the assurances of the event’s organizers, it looks like it won’t be taking place. The festival seems to have its slim chances further reduced with recent news out of Australia, as $500,000 worth of drugs bound for Future Music Festival has been seized by police.

The $500,000 is an astronomically high figure that includes 7,500 MDMA tablets. The six month investigation, “Operation Mike Order”, resulted in 17 people being charged with over 110 offenses ranging from trafficking to possession. Around $50,000 in cash was also confiscated along with 22 mobile phones. The investigation targeted a network of drug suppliers linked to substances such as cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis, methylamphetamines and steroids. Detective Inspector Mark Andrews released a statement yesterday, saying:

Today we have prevented over 7,500 MDMA tablets being consumed at music festivals such as the Future Festival tomorrow, helping to make all Queenslanders safer, in particular our teenagers and young adults.

It’s sad to see the same patterns in the dance music community repeat themselves, especially when it starts to jeopardize events such as Future Music Festival.

Posted by David Margulis (Via EDMTunes)

As I AM: the Life and Times of DJ AM is set to premiere at April’s Tribeca Film Festival. The documentary shows the late DJ AM‘s journey from mash-up pioneer to the United States’ first million-dollar DJ as well as his fight with drug addiction. The film was directed by Kevin Kerslake, the music video and documentary veteran who directed 2011′s Electric Daisy Carnival Experience and has worked with Nirvana, Depeche Mode, R.E.M., Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many more.

According to IMDB, the film features appearances from AM’s frequent collaborator Travis Barker; DJs like A-Trak, Diplo, Steve Aoki, Mark Ronson, Z-Trip, and Jazzy Jeff; and industry titans including Pasquale Rotella.

Posted by David Miller

Amidst tabloid filler about his relationship with Selena Gomez, Zedd revealed details surrounding the theme and potential release date for his sophomore album. The follow up to 2012′s Clarity, Zedd told Chris Booker on 97.1 AMP that he plans to wrap up his second album this spring. “I’m really far advanced in my album right now.

It’s probably still going to take me a good month, a month-and-a-half to finish it — you know the last touches,” Zedd told Booker about his progress on an album 3 years in the making. Regarding what to expect from the producer’s next full length, Zedd’s focused heavily on the musicianship this time around; “I want to be able to perform every single song on the piano. That was kind of the idea on this album, so as long as I take care of that, the song’s won’t get old.”

Posted by David Miller (via Dancing Astronaut)
Photo by Danny Mahoney

Ultra Music Festival just got a lot less raver friendly. After coming under fire last year after a string of unfortunate incidents, the world’s pre-eminent dance music festival raised its age restriction to 18+ and has now instituted a long list of banned items that will send ravers reeling. Among the list of usual banned items, like drugs and deadly weapons, Ultra has banned backpacks, bags, and purses — but not Camelbaks. The list goes on to ban totems, facial masks, pacifiers, glowsticks, stuffed animals — all the usual accessories for a majority of UMF attendees. View the full list of banned items below and visit Ultra’s website for additional information.

PROHIBITED ITEMS
No Illegal or illicit substances, drugs, or drug paraphernalia
No weapons of any kind including, but not limited to, pocket knives or self defense sprays
No flammable items or liquids including aerosols and fireworks
No markers, pens or spray paint
No backpacks, purses, or bags allowed except bags made of clear plastic, clear vinyl, or clear PVC not exceeding 13”x17”
No stuffed animals
No facial masks
No outside food or beverage including alcohol
No bottles, cans, canteens, flasks, or coolers
No opened over the counter medication or eye drops
No opened packs of cigarettes or tampons
No pacifiers, glow sticks
No balloons, balls, inflatable balls, Frisbees or flying disks
No umbrellas, chairs, blankets, sleeping bags or tents
No bicycles, skateboards, scooters, or personal motorized vehicles
No animals except for service animals assisting an individual with a disability
No large chains, chained wallets or spiked jewelry
No laser pens, laser pointers, or similar focused light devices
No water guns, squirt guns, spray bottles or misters
No musical instruments, noisemakers or air horns
No whistles
No professional cameras, flash cameras or video and audio recording equipment, or camera poles
No poles, sticks, or “totems”

Posted by David Miller (via DancingAstronaut)

Huge congrats going out to Club Killers family & friend – DJ Obscene. He recently kicked ass @ the 2015 regional qualifier in Tampa, Florida.

Red Bull Thre3style is a DJ contest that promises to be a night of dance- floor mayhem. The participants have to play a selection of at least three genres or styles of music in 15 minutes. It doesn’t matter what genres of music are chosen so long as the DJ can make them work together. DJ Obscene battled at the Red Bull Thre3style 2015 regional qualifier in Tampa, FL. Take a listen to his winning set below. It’s so obscene.

DJ Obscene – USA – Tampa Regional Qualifier 2015 by Red Bull Thre3style on Mixcloud

This mix was recorded live at The RITZ Ybor on 2/19/15.

Posted by Alex Dreamz

An hour before the expected drop time, Skrillex and Diplo‘s collaborative project has dropped via the iTunes Store update. The album, which features 10 tracks including both
familiar and unheard tunes, marks the studio album debut for the Jack U effort, marking a special moment in history for the American electronic music sound.

Features range from lyricist 2 Chainz to the ever polarizing Justin Bieber.

Purchase here: iTunes

Posted by David Miller (via DancingAstronaut)

Chris Brown and Tyga stopped by Hot 97’s Ebro in the Morning show to discuss their Fan of a Fan collaboration and their feelings about Kylie Jenner (positive), the Grammys (negative), and Drake (also negative). Watch the interview below:

Unsurprisingly, Tyga’s rumored girlfriend Kylie Jenner was the first topic of conversation. (Tyga and Kylie’s brother-in-law Kanye both spoke about the relationship last week in separate interviews with Power 105.) “She’s just a good person,” Tyga said of the 17-year-old Keeping Up With the Kardashians star. “I love being around her. My decision is to continue to be around her and be involved and have her be involved in my life. I don’t think it’s the world’s decision to dictate that.”

Brown came to Tyga’s defense on this point — as he did throughout the interview, overwhelming Tyga at times. “Some people don’t have to initiate [messing around] to be cool with somebody,” Brown explained. “It’s just energy,” he added. “Just like if I would have 15 girls in the studio… am I boning the 15 girls? No. But they’re giving me inspiration.”

What else inspires Chris Brown? Definitely not the Grammys. “I’m not a hater,” he said, before declaring “I just feel like the Grammys is f—ing bullshit.” Ebro asked if Brown participated in the Grammy-voting process, and Brown responded that he doesn’t. “I shouldn’t have to!” he continued. “I’m that great that I shouldn’t f—ing need to vote for myself.” He suggested that his run-ins with the law should not impact his Grammy chances, since they haven’t prevented other artists from being honored. “You might as well take away James Brown’s stuff, you might as well take away Michael Jackson’s stuff… if we going off how they are as people, that’s bullshit.”

When it came time to talk about the latest episode of the Drake vs. Tyga situation, Brown kept interrupting Tyga and attempting to change the subject. “This n—a not making no money by talking about [Drake]. We make him hot… I’m not gonna give [Drake] no more ratings… and I’m not gonna let Tyga do it.” When asked about his own relationship with Drake — the two collaborated not long ago on Nicki Minaj’s “Only” — all Brown would say was, “I don’t mess with the dude,” and “I’m on probation.”

When Tyga finally got to speak, he admitted to tweeting “u still a bitch” at Drake recently, but he was more willing to talk about his relationship with Cash Money. He expressed a desire “to start fresh.” “I was supposed to be out [of] the deal,” he explained, though that hasn’t happened yet. “They agreed to a number to let me out the deal… even though they owe me money I was gonna pay them ’cause I ain’t petty. I just want to move on with my life.”

Fan of a Fan came out last week.

Posted by Elias Leight (via Billboard)

We thought this was hilariously epic and wanted to share with you.

Posted by David Miller

Zedd and Selena Gomez’s hotly-anticipated collaboration “I Want You to Know” has finally and officially be unveiled, in full and for sale. Wait no longer, Zeddlena fans.

Followings its mere 15-second teaser clip that easily identified Gomez’s vocals with a very obvious Zedd-produced backing track, “I Want You To Know” follows those distinctions upon its full version.

Destined to be another dance pop smash from the hit maker, “I Want You to Know” follows Zedd’s chart-topping success alongside other female vocalists including Ariana Grande on “Break Free” and Foxes on his Platinum crossover “Clarity.”

Posted by David Miller (Via Dancing Astronaut)

Madonna now has her 44th No.1 single on Billboard thanks to Diplo. The pair have made history in their attempt to resurrect the Queen of Pop’s career, as Madge’s newest material, “Living for Love” has reached the top of the Dance Club Songs chart. Although Madge is no stranger to the number one spot, she currently reigns over pop icons Beyonce and Rihanna as she begins to roll out her 13th full-length album, Rebel Heart.

Rivaled only by the forefather of country music, George Strait, Madonna’s 44th No. 1 hit comes in just a few weeks after her performance at the 57th annual Grammy Awards, where, accompanied by Diplo on the red carpet, Madonna performed the new single in front of millions as he set her comeback into motion.

With Diplo at the production helm, and a fine-tuned taste for making the next big thing, Madonna’s comeback begins on a high note as she continues her multiple decade-spanning dominance. And with the album’s official release just around the corner, that 44 figure may be changing soon, further cementing Madonna’s place in dance music history.

Posted by Gary Trust (via Billboard)

Although Calvin Harris recently posed for Emporio Armani with just a pair of underwear on, there is a line he won’t cross when it comes to revealing photos.

According to a report from TMZ, the superstar DJ has lawyered up after some naked pictures of him have started popping up. Several porn and media outlets have obtained the photos and Harris is willing to take anyone to court if they decide to post them. Apparently, the “Summer” producer has sent both pictures and videos to women and makes no effort to hide his face in the process. As terrible as this situation is, we doubt that these images will ever see the light of day considering the fact that Harris’ $66 million salary should help him find a decent legal team.

Finally, for all you people out there wondering, one media outlet that has obtained some pics said that Calvin Harris has quite the package and that those Emporio Armani photos are most definitely genuine.

Posted by Nick Benner (via EDMTunes)

TODAY IS THE DAY! Our first official Beatport release “Cancun X” from Dynamic Musik is now available on BEATPORT!

This whole project tracks back to 2014 Cancun gig where we started working on this idea on the beaches of Cancun. Fast forward to 2015 we will be doing a full release, music video, & Cancun takeover for Spring Break featuring Alex Dreamz, DJ Ikon, JD Live, & Mike Carbonell playing live sets at Mandala Group venues such as Mandala, Dady’O, Mandala Beach Club & the City.

Beatport link: https://pro.beatport.com/release/cancun-x/1447562

Posted by Alex Dreamz