Last June, Major Lazer exploded on the international music scene with their debut album, Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do.  2009 was a big year for Major Lazer – they were nominated for two MTV awards, headlined multiple tours (including a star-studded performance at Hard NYC), and brought their reggae-tinged sound to dance floors around the world.

Their third single, “Pon de Floor” enjoyed quite a bit of club play at all of our favorite parties, and even crossed over to the mainstream when it was used on the season finale of So You Think You Can Dance. Skerrit Bwoy’s graphic reenactment of the NSFW music video (directed by Eric Wareheim of the comedy duo Tim and Eric) at the Best Buy Club Beats event last November ruffled a few corporate feathers, resulting in an abrupt end to their set and a hasty exit. Considering that the Jamaican government instilled a nationwide ban on all music and videos relating to “daggering” last February, we’d say that Major Lazer got off easy here in the states.

After Dances With White Girls equated “Pon de Floor” to Reel 2 Reel’s 1994 hit “I Like to Move It” via Twitter, “Pon de Floor” secured its position as The HiFi Cartel’s song of the year.

We trust that as HiFi Cartel readers you’ve heard the original song, so we’ve included Laidback Luke’s remix below for your listening pleasure. Be sure to check out photos from Major Lazer’s NYC debut at S.O.B.’s, Hard NYC at Terminal 5, and Club Beats at Best Buy, and in case you’ve been sleeping, watch the video for “Pon de Floor” after the jump. Major Lazer will once again play Hard NYC when it returns to Terminal 5 on April 3. Get your tickets here.

Major Lazer – “Pon de Floor” (Laidback Luke Remix)

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So much for a relaxing weekend. With everything that’s going on for New Year’s Eve, some of you might be planning to take the weekend off. For all you die-hards out there, here’s what’s on the menu for the first weekend in 2010:

On Friday, GBH and Girls & Boys are getting right back into the swing of things with a special New Year’s Day Party at Webster Hall. Andy Butler of Hercules and Love Affair will be spinning, and admission is only $1 before midnight if you RSVP.

This Saturday, The xx, one of 2009’s top breakout acts, are doing a special DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge. Given the laid-back nature of their music, we’re curious to hear what they’ll bring behind the decks. VHSorBETA will also be spinning, tickets are $5 in advance or $8 on the day of the show. Be sure to catch The xx when they tour with Hot Chip this spring. Click here for tickets and info.

Over at the Mercury Lounge, Brooklyn-based trio Ninjasonik will take the stage for one of their signature high-energy performances. DJ Cobra Krames will open. Click here to purchase tickets, which are $12.

The best present this holiday season came from none other than the beat junkie Flying Lotus. He released a mixtape chronicling cosmic dubs and edits from the past ten years, blended perfectly by The Gaslamp Killer. Here are FlyLo’s words:

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone
as we’re approaching this new year, I felt it was time to let go of some things that have been gathering dust. Some old things, and some new things, I tried to pick out tracks that I know yall haven’t heard yet so there should be surprises around every turn.

can’t believe i’ve been making tracks for over 10 years now..That said, there’s so much to learn still.

I hope you all enjoy this mix. Thanks to the Gaslamp Killer for doing an incredible job on this.

Can’t wait for you all to hear my album ‘Cosmogramma’ coming out April 20th 2010 on Warp Records.

Enjoy
s

Brainfeeder

The Gaslamp Killer – “A Decade of Flying Lotus”

On February 12, Ed Banger Records will celebrate their seven-year anniversary with a massive party at Terminal 5. The French electronic label was founded in 2002 by Pedro Winter (aka Busy P), and gained notoriety in 2007 with international hits from Justice and Uffie. The anniversary party will feature DJ sets from Ed Banger artists Justice, DJ Mehdi, Busy P and Breakbot. And if the music isn’t enough to convince you, the Cowboys & Girls dress code will make for some damn good people watching. Be sure to get your tickets in advance – last October, Justice’s DJ set at Webster Hall sold out with plenty of time to spare.

To prepare for the madness, be sure to check out DJ Mehdi and Busy P’s BBC Essential Mix (streamed below), photos from Xavier de Rosnay and Busy P’s DJ sets at Girls & Boys at Webster Hall (which also happens to be The HiFi Cartel’s very first photo gallery), and click through for a photo from our recent encounter with Breakbot at the Wired Pop-Up Store.

DJ Mehdi & Busy P – Essential Mix

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This New Year’s Eve, there’s so much going on that we have to break it down for you in a more organized fashion. So without further ado, we present The HiFi Cartel’s Official Guide to New Year’s Eve… after the jump.

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If the Grim Reaper had to sing, he would probably sing about death. Cage, the New York-bred rapper and indie-rocker may not meet the reaper’s demise in song but gives him a run for his money in a fashion reminiscent of Charlie Daniels’ Johnny in “The Devil Went To Georgia.” In such a case, the Reaper should have been at BB King in New York City this past Friday for the “Depart From Me Round 2″ tour.  With Shinobi Ninja and Tame One setting the stage, Cage’s appearance was met by fans who were eager for his story-driven lyrical journeys. Backed by DJ Chauncey, he spewed over beats in the familiar form that garnered acclaim in the New York underground and independent hip-hop scene. With a cult status following, the audience responded to every single jagged and jilted word in his lyrics.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PHOTO GALLERY

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Dubbed the “Daft Punk” of Brazil”, The Twelves bring us one of the freshest mixes to BBC Radio 1. João Miguel and Luciano Oliveira, who formed the duo in 2005, have made a huge impact on the blogosphere with a series of remixes, cover versions and original tracks. Be sure not to miss this one.

The Twelves – Essential Mix

Tracklist and download after the jump…

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Next week, Made Event is throwing a New Year’s Eve extravaganza at Roseland Ballroom with world famous DJ and producer Paul van Dyk. The event will feature a special four-hour extended set on an Integral Sound System specially designed for the event by famed sound man Steve Dash.

General Admission tickets are currently $100 on the Made Event website, with upgrades available to the VIP open bar level. Luckily, we have you covered with a pair of tickets to what is sure to be an epic night.

Enter the contest after the jump, and double your chances of winning by sending THIS MESSAGE through Twitter. You must be following both @HiFiCartel and @MadeEvent to be eligible to win. Contest will close on Sunday, December 27th at noon. The winner will be notified through email or direct message on Sunday and will have 24 hours to respond.

Good luck, and be sure to check out Paul van Dyk’s BBC Essential Mix from this past September in preparation for next week’s madness.

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Featuring Nick Catchdubs, Max Glazer, The Brothers Macklovitch, Just Blaze

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL ALBUM

Featuring Star Eyes, The Captain, AC Slater, Udachi

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL ALBUM