Chicago DJs Josh Young and Curt Cameruci (aka J2K and Autobot) must have known from their 2006 start that their brand of EDM/Hip Hop mixology was unique within their chosen field. After all, the duo dubbed themselves Flosstradamus, a tweak on the name of the infamously prescient 16th-century French seer.
Even if they didn’t predict it, the pair’s success was clearly written in the stars; early in their first year of existence, URB magazine tagged Flosstradamus in their annual Next 100 prognostication. And that prediction has come to pass in the biggest possible way, as Flosstradamus has become one of the biggest names on the marquees of the biggest music festivals on the planet, including Pitchfork, Ultra, Lollapalooza, Coachella, Rothbury and South by Southwest. Not bad for a couple of spinners.
Over the past eight years, Floss has made their reputation with a variety of potent weapons in their talent arsenal. First, their high-energy live sets play as well in a cramped, sweaty club atmosphere as in the expanse of an outdoor festival. Next, the pair’s prowess in the studio is impressive, working and remixing with the likes of Iggy Azalea, Major Lazer, Yellow Claw and Waka Flocka Flame on tracks that range from ethereal to straight up bangers. Finally, their sense of fun is as infectious as Ebola; check out the duo’s hilariously kid-centric video of “Drop Top” with Travis Porter and their massive twerk epic “Assquake.”
And the duo spreads all of it around with a savvy understanding of technology and social media; witness Floss’ guerilla WiFi network at this year’s SXSW, Plurntnet (Plurnt being the acronym for Peace Love Unity Respect Now Twerk), used to disseminate the new track, “Hdygrlz Anthem.” Still think DJs are simple turntablists with inflated egos? You don’t know Flosstradamus.
FLOSSTRADAMUS plays Sunday, Nov. 30 at Bogart’s. Find tickets/more info here.
This article appears in Nov 19-25, 2014.
