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Crookers

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Crookers
Crookers in 2008
Crookers in 2008
Background information
OriginMilan, Italy
GenresElectro house, dance-punk
Years active2003–present
Labels
MembersFrancesco "Phra" Barbaglia[1]
Past membersAndrea "Bot" Fratangelo[2]
Websitecrookers.it

Crookers is the musical project of Italian DJ and producer Francesco "Phra" Barbaglia.

Crookers was originally a duo consisting of Phra and fellow producer Bot, who worked together from 2003 to 2012. When the two artists met, both were trying to branch out of their genre and explore dance music. Their first collaboration worked. Phra said, "It felt natural to team up, seeing that we had the same musical tastes... which isn't that easy here in Milan."[3]

On October 19, 2012, it was announced that Bot had left the group to pursue a new direction and that Phra would carry on the Crookers name as a solo project.[4]

Since then, Phra has produced the song "Ghetto Guetta" under the Crookers alias; the song was published on Phra's own label Ciao Recs under licence to the Be Yourself Catalog as well as Owsla. Phra has released singles from his forthcoming [citation needed] 'Sixteen Chapel' album. 'Heavy' followed 'Ghetto Guetta' as the second single off the album. There were remixes from Hybrid Theory, Donovans and Sharkslayer & First Gift. Following that, Crookers then released Able To Maximize via Ciao Recs with remixes from Chuckie, franskild, Mao Ra Sun, Digi and Suck Fake. Phra then released 'Get Excited ft STS' for free via his social media. During this time, Phra asked the group Plastic Horse to put their spin on the music videos.

Crookers' track "Picture This" was released via Ciao Recs on 9 September and his new album Sixteen Chapel was scheduled to be released in February 2015.[citation needed].

Biography

[edit]

Phra began DJing at age 11, when he was introduced to the Italian hip hop scene.[5]

Crookers' first international release was on Berlin's Man Recordings (Funk Mundial #3), for which they contributed various remixes. The duo later released three EPs in 2008 (Knobbers, Mad Kidz and E.P.istola, all containing exclusive original tracks). In 2009, Crookers released the song, "Business Man", featuring British rapper Wiley and Thomas Jules. That was featured in the racing video game Need for Speed: Nitro, which was also released that year.[6] Their debut album, Tons of Friends, was released in 2010.

Their collaboration with Kid Cudi in "Day 'N' Nite" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 2 and is featured on the game Midnight Club: Los Angeles.[7][8]

Crookers work with producer/remixer Sketch Iz Dead on many of their tracks.[9]

In 2009, Crookers proudeced the track "Business Man" with Wiley and Thomas Jules. Later that year, Crookers DJed on ElectroChoc, an in-game radio station of Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony, which is based around the nightclub scene of Liberty City. Also, the group gained significant attention as the closing song in the final GTAIV game ("The Ballad of Gay Tony") is "No Security". In the same year they remixed 'Get On Your Boots' by U2 and confirmed to be one of the most acclaimed DJ duos of that period.[10][11]

In November 2010, the duo signed a deal with Interscope Records, and they released their new single "We Love Animals"[12] under the label as their first single of their upcoming second studio album.

On 27 June 2011 (2011-06-27), Crookers released The Gonzo Anthem EP. Then on 24 October, they released their second album, Dr Gonzo,[13][better source needed] featuring Neoteric, Savage Skulls, Wax Motif, His Majesty Andre, Lazy Ants and Keith & Supabeatz. The album has been described as a return to their original style.[citation needed]

Bot left the group in October 2012. Phra continues to use the Crookers name as a solo project.[14]

Phra released a new track called "Ghetto Guetta" on the 22 October 2013 on Ciao Recs, and released it on 29 October 2013 on Big & Dirty Recordings under license to the Be Yourself Catalogue.

Phra in Austria, July 2014

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Year Title Label
2009 Crookers Showcase[15] Avex Trax
Put Your Hands on Me[16] Avex Trax
2010 Tons of Friends[17] Southern Fried Records
Tons of Remixes[18] Southern Fried Records
2011 Dr Gonzo[19] Mad Decent
2012 From Then Until Now[20] Southern Fried Records
2015 Sixteen Chapel Dim Mak / Ciao Recs

Singles and EPs

[edit]
Year Artists Title Release date Label
2006 Crookers End 2 End Oct, 2006 P-House
2007 Crookers Aguas de Parco Mar 1, 2007 Big Sur Recordings
Crookers Made in Italy May 1, 2007 On The Brink
Crookers Funk Mundial #3 May 18, 2007
Crookers feat. La Pisa & Mr. Cocky Limonare Jun 1, 2007 P-House
Crookers vs. Il Deboscio Limonare vs. Frangetta Jul 5, 2007 Xnote S.r.l
Crookers Massive Sep 14, 2007 Potty Mouth Music
Crookers / The Bloody Beetroots Timberland Boots Nov, 2007 White Label
2008 Crookers Knobbers Jan 27, 2008 Southern Fried Records
Crookers Love to Edit Feb, 2008 White Label
Crookers Mad Kidz Jul 20, 2008 Southern Fried Records
Crookers E.P.istola Jul 29, 2008 Mad Decent
Kid Cudi vs. Crookers Day 'n' Nite Dec 24, 2008 Data Records
2009 Crookers feat. Wiley & Thomas Jules Business Man Aug 23, 2009 Southern Fried Records
Crookers feat. Kardinal Offishall & Carla-Marie Put Your Hands On Me Oct 4, 2009
Crookers What Up Y'all Oct 6, 2009 Fool's Gold Records
Crookers feat. Kelis No Security Nov 29, 2009 Southern Fried Records
Crookers feat. Soulwax & Mixhell We Love Animals Dec 10, 2009
2010 Crookers feat. Fabri Fibra & Dargen D'Amico Festa Feb 12, 2010
Crookers feat. Miike Snow Remedy Feb 28, 2010
Crookers feat. Róisín Murphy Royal T May 23, 2010
Crookers feat. Yelle Cooler Couleur Aug, 2010 La Musique Fait La Force
2011 Crookers & Savage Skulls Bust 'Em Up Apr 10, 2011 Southern Fried Records
Crookers & Savage Skulls Bust 'Em Up Remixes Aug 7, 2011
Crookers The Gonzo Anthem Jun 26, 2011
Crookers The Gonzo Anthem Remixes Aug 29, 2011
Crookers feat. Hudson Mohawke & Carli Hummus Nov 20, 2011
2012 Guè Pequeno vs. Crookers R.E.B. Mar 20, 2012 Universal Music Italia
Crookers with Style of Eye & Carli That Laughing Track Apr 29, 2012 Southern Fried Records
Crookers Massive (Remixed) May 22, 2012 Potty Mouth Music
Fabri Fibra vs. Crookers L'Italiano Balla Jun 29, 2012 Universal Music Italia
Crookers with Neoteric & Wah Motif Springer Jul 9, 2012 Southern Fried Records
Crookers Bowser Sep 4, 2012 Fool's Gold Records
Crookers From Then Until Now Oct 29, 2012 Southern Fried Records
Crookers Big Booty Bootleg Nov 12, 2012 Ciao Recs
Crookers & RVBRA Pop That Bootleg Dec 4, 2012 Ciao Recs
2013 Crookers Giga / A Go Go Feb 19, 2013 Ciao Recs
Crookers Remixed Part 1 – Bangers Mar 4, 2013 Southern Fried Records
Crookers Ghetto Guetta Oct 22, 2013 Owsla / Ciao Recs
2014 Crookers Heavy Mar 25, 2014 Ciao Recs
Crookers Able To Maximize May 6, 2014 Ciao Recs
Crookers Picture This Sept 9, 2014 Ciao Recs
2015 Crookers feat. Jeremih I Just Can't March, 2015 Ciao Recs
Crookers & DJ Funk Skype Music Sept 25, 2015 Ciao Recs

Music videos

[edit]
Year Song Director(s)
2009 "Put Your Hands on Me" Jonnie Malachi[21]
"No Security" Mattias Erik Johansson,
Henrik Qvarnström[22]
2010 "Remedy" Paul Kamuf[23]
"Festa Festa" Danxzen[24]
2011 "Bust 'Em Up"
"Hummus" Plastic Horse[25]
2012 "That Laughing Track" Jerome Potter,
Johnny Woods
2013 "Ghetto Guetta" Phra[26]
2014 "Able To Maximize" Plastic Horse[27]
"Picture This" Plastic Horse[28]

Remixes

[edit]
Year Artist Track Title
2005 Stylophonic "Baby Beat Box"
Stylophonic "We Got Some People In Da House" Stylophonic Meets the Crookers Mix
2006 AC/DC "Thunderstruck"
Jovanotti "Questo è Un Mondo Selvaggio"
2007 Adam Sky vs. Mark Stewart "We Are Prostitutes"
Armand Van Helden "I Want Your Soul" Crookers Remix
Crookers Crunk Remix
Bonde do Rolê "Marina Gasolina" Crookers Crunk Remix
Brodinski "Bad Runner" Crookers Gone Electro Remix
Carnifull Trio "Song for Guido" Crookers Crunk Remix
Diabolico Coupè "Lavorare" Crookers Crunk Remix
Dusty Kid "The Cat" Crookers Remix
Crookers Eurocrunk Remix
Edu K "Gatas Gatas Gatas" Crookers Crunk
Jamelia "Something About You" Crookers Crunky Remix
N*E*R*D "Everyone Nose" Phra Re-Fix
Rodion "Electric Soca"
The Bumblebeez "Dr Love" Crooker$ Remix
The Chemical Brothers "Salmon Dance" Crookers 'Wow' Mix
Timbaland "The Way I Are" Crookers – The Way We Are
Tocadisco feat. Chelonis R. Jones "Shrine"
2008 Azzido da Bass "Dooms Night"
Busy P feat. Murs "To Protect and Entertain" Crookers Remix
Crookers Dub Remix
Boosta feat. Skin "Last" Crookers Crunk Remix
Cazals "Life Is Boring" Crookers No Fear to Fly Remix
Chromeo "Fancy Footwork"
Clark Able "Lemon Head"
Danny "Set Your Body Free"
David Guetta feat. Thailand "Joan of Arc" Crookers Pimp My Ark Remix
Crookers 'Hardtime' Remix
Diplo feat. Rye Rye "Wassup Wassup" Crookers Remix
Crookers Happy Remix
Don Rimini "Let Me Back Up" Crookers Tetsujin Mix
Edu K feat. Marina "Me Bota Pra Dancar"
Isa GT "Pela'O"
Kelis "Bossy"
Kid Cudi "Day 'n' Nite"
Ludacris "Move Bitch"
Magik Johnson "The Bushman"
Moby "I Love to Move in Here" Crookers Crack Mix
Crookers Lemmesee Mix
Crookers Bass In Here Mix
Nelly Furtado "Maneater"
Radioclit "Secousse" Crookers Spino Mix
Shinichi Osawa "Rendezvous"
Snoop Dogg "Sensual Seduction"
Timbaland feat. OneRepublic "Apologize"
The Bumblebeez "Rio" Crookers Bang Remix
The Outhere Brothers "Enjoy" Crookers Vocal Mix
Crookers Dub Mix
The Proxy "Raven"
The Secret Handshake "Summer of '98"
The Whip "Trash"
Wiley "Summertime"
2009 Crookers feat. Kelis "No Security" Crookers Ode to the Whales Remix
Britney Spears "If U Seek Amy"
Fever Ray "Seven"
Jesse Rose "Touch My Horn"
Mixhell feat. Oh Snap & Jen Lasher "Boom Da"
Miike Snow "Animal"
Steed Lord "Dirty Mutha"
Tiga "Beep Beep Beep"
U2 "Get On Your Boots"
2010 Bad Rabbits "Stick Up Kids"
Dennis Ferrer "Hey Hey"
Faithless "Tweak Your Nipple"
Green Velvet "La La Land"
Lady Gaga & Beyoncé "Telephone" Crookers Vocal Remix
Crookers Dub Remix
N*E*R*D feat. Nelly Furtado "Hot-n-Fun"
Robbie Williams "Difficult for Weirdos"
Savage Skulls & Douster feat. Robyn "Bad Gal"
Two Door Cinema Club "Something Good Can Work" Crookers Dirrrrrty Mix
2011 Major Lazer feat. The Partysquad "Original Don"
Munchi feat. Mr. Lexx "Shottas"
2012 Theophilus London "Stop It"
Isa GT "Alegria"
WAFA "Abandon Me"
Taku Inoue "F.F.Y.R. (Livemonitor)"
Chuckie & Junxterjack "Make Some Noise"
2013 deadmau5 & Imogen Heap "Telemiscommunications"
TJR "Ode to Oi"
2014 Young Thug "Stoner"
2015 Yogi feat Pusha T "Burial"
2018 Mavi Phoenix "LOS SANTOS" Crookers Infinity Mix

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Francesco Barbaglia". Discogs.
  2. ^ "Andrea Fratangelo". Discogs.
  3. ^ "Crookers (ITALY)with Dick Johnson, Defcon1, Daniel Farley, Cool Kids Club (Chch), Maya at Studio, 340 Karangahape Road, Newton". Mukuna.co.nz. 2008-11-27. Archived from the original on 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  4. ^ "Crookers Break Up". Exclaim.ca.
  5. ^ "MC Crookers: DJ Phra and Bot". DJ Guide. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  6. ^ "Need for Speed Nitro soundtrack at RacingSoundtracks.com". racingsoundtracks.com. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  7. ^ Sawjani, Archna (2009-01-20). "Kid Cudi: 'I've always been ahead of the curve'". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  8. ^ "This website is for sale! - acharts Resources and Information". Acharts.us. Retrieved 2020-04-16. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  9. ^ "Egg presents...Crookers". Lastfm.es.
  10. ^ "Attenti ai due Crookers che rimixano i miti rock". Archivio – la Repubblica.it. 14 July 2012.
  11. ^ "U2 - Get on Your Boots (Crookers Remix) (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs. Archived from the original on 2013-06-12. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
  12. ^ Crookers ft Soulwax & Mixhell – We Love Animals (FULL OFFICIAL VERSION)(HQ). YouTube. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15.
  13. ^ "This item it territory restricted". Beatport. Retrieved 15 November 2013. Restricted: We're sorry for the inconvenience but the item you tried to view is restricted in [the UK].
  14. ^ "Italian electro-house duo Crookers break up". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 19 October 2012.
  15. ^ "Crookers - Crookers Showcase (CD, MiniAlbum) at Discogs". Discogs. Archived from the original on 2010-05-09. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
  16. ^ "Crookers - Put Your Hands on Me (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs. Archived from the original on 2014-01-12. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
  17. ^ "Crookers - Tons of Friends (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs. Archived from the original on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
  18. ^ "Tons of Remixes". iTunes. 29 August 2010.
  19. ^ "Crookers - Dr Gonzo (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs. Archived from the original on 2014-08-21. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
  20. ^ https://music.apple.com/mx/album/from-then-until-now/570231833 [bare URL]
  21. ^ "Crookers feat. Kardinal Offishall's Put Your Hands On Me by Jonnie Malachi". Promonews.tv. Archived from the original on 2010-02-28. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  22. ^ "CROOKERS – NO SECURITY FEAT. KELIS". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  23. ^ "Crookers feat Miike Snow's Remedy by Paul Kamuf". Promonews.tv. Archived from the original on 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  24. ^ "CROOKERS feat Fabri Fibra & Dargen D'Amico". Vimeo.com. 13 February 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  25. ^ "Crookers feat. Hudson Mohawke's Hummus by Plastic Horse". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15.
  26. ^ CROOKERS #GHETTOGUETTA. YouTube. 10 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-10-10.
  27. ^ Crookers "Able To Maximize". YouTube. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15.
  28. ^ Crookers "Picture This" feat Dilligas. YouTube. 24 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15.
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