Chicago Kids Do Big Things

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 15, 2007 3:35PM

Chicago's DJ collective, Flosstradamus, featuring DJs Josh Young (a.k.a. J2K) and Curt Cameruci (a.k.a. Autobot), and Melissa Young (a.k.a. club rapper Kid Sister and actual sibling of J2K), grace URB's April 2007 issue, "The Next 1000." These eclectic artists blend electronic and hip-hop beats, while sampling lyrics spanning several genres from crunk to punk.

Flosstradamus thrills hipsters and hip-hop heads alike with their unique blend of genre-hopping. The duo employs a three-turntable set up with two mixing software programs, Final Scratch and Serato, which allow DJs to manipulate and play vinyl and MP3s; it's an awesome display of technique and style. While Flosstradamus draws inspiration from seminal DJ, Diplo, the DJ collective has introduced juke music, Chicago's hyper fast paced dance music, to its fans.

J2K, began his career as a member of the Life During Wartime DJ group, and later met, DJ Autobot, then a Columbia College student. Paying their dues by spinning at house parties, Flosstradamus now puts down sets at Chicago hottest venues. Club-goers frequent cramped, rave-like shows at Town Hall, Sonotheque, and ithe Biz3 tent at last year's Pitchfork Music Festival.

Hurry up, kids, and check out MP3s from Flosstradamus and Kid Sister available here. Flosstradamus' cut, "Act the Fool (Ravestradamus Remix)," samples Three 6 Mafia's "Act the Fool" and "Kernkraft 400" by Zombie Nation. Go figure. Kid Sister, no stranger to ubiquitous hip-hop sample, raps over a Too Short holla in "Damn Girl."

For two years in a row, Flosstradamus has been featured in URB as the next big thing. Any bets for 2008?

Flosstradamus spins at Subterranean's March Madness on March 21 and again at Smart Bar with A-trak on April 13.

Thanks, Tiffany!