Centerstage - Chicago's Original City Guide

To get down with Flosstradamus, you need to first get to know the duo's fans. An iPod-toting musical identity crisis ("am I a hipster or a hip-hop head?" he cries, staring into the mirror) with a mild case of ADD, the Flosstradamus aficionado listens to Wu Tang Clan, followed by Animal Collective, followed by...Paul Simon? Why not? Many of us aspire to having the best of everything, so why not the best of every musical genre? That's the philosophy espoused by Chicago-based DJs Autobot (Curt Cameruci) and J2K (JoshYoung), whose wonder-spin powers activate to form Flosstradamus.

Okay, so it's not a band of superheroes, but Flosstradamus definitely employs some superpowers when it comes to moving a crowd. Whether mixing Lil' Jon and Three 6 Mafia with Zombie Nation or Twista and Kanye West with Sigur Ros, Flosstradamus just aims to "make people go crazy," says J2K. The guys don't consider themselves in terms of a specific genre (do NOT call them a mashup act), but as two DJs whose humble wish is for you to shake your ass.

In 2005 Flosstradamus formed and starting playing its infamous "Get Outta' the Hood" shows at Boystown dive Town Hall Pub. The event started small, but quickly mushroomed into the city's sweatiest dance party. At the time, competitive attitudes and stifling microgenre labels dominated the local music scene. "The fun, anything goes, no dress code, no attitude party was unique in Chicago, aka 'haterville,'" says J2K. (Free Jell-o shots also helped.)

Since then, Flosstradamus and other local acts have gotten out of the hood thanks in part to an increasingly supportive music scene. When MTV2 featured South Side native Kid Sister on its "My Block" Chicago episode, the rising hip-hop star showed some sisterly love (J2K is her brother) and landed Flosstradamus some airtime as well. The My Block appearance, combined with a crucial MySpace and blogosphere presence, has helped Flosstradamus build buzz and garner accolades from heavyweight publications URB Magazine and Rolling Stone. "Regardless, the most important thing has been performing," says J2K. The duo hit the club circuit hard in 2006, eventually earning coveted spots at Coachella and Lollapalooza as well as on Chromeo's "Fancy Footwork" tour in 2007 and 2008.

Taking a break from touring the world, Flosstradmus has started work on its debut album. Expect a frenetic dance party with appearances by fellow Chitown acts. You can catch the duo at The Burlington on February 5.