Crookers
{{short description|Italian electronica duo}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Crookers
| image = Crookers 2008.jpg
| caption = Crookers in 2008
| origin = Milan, Italy
| genre = Electro house, dance-punk
| years_active = 2003–present
| label = {{hlist|Southern Fried|Interscope|Fool's Gold|Ciao|Ministry Of Sound|Owsla|Dim Mak}}
| website = {{url| crookers.it}}
| current_members = Francesco "Phra" Barbaglia{{cite web| url= http://Discogs.com/artist/Francesco+Barbaglia| title= Francesco Barbaglia| publisher= Discogs}}
| past_members = Andrea "Bot" Fratangelo{{cite web| url= http://Discogs.com/artist/Andrea+Fratangelo| title= Andrea Fratangelo| publisher= Discogs}}
}}
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."{{cite web|url=http://www.mukuna.co.nz/auckland/central/gig13157.htm|title=Crookers (ITALY)with Dick Johnson, Defcon1, Daniel Farley, Cool Kids Club (Chch), Maya at Studio, 340 Karangahape Road, Newton|date=2008-11-27|website=Mukuna.co.nz|access-date=2009-02-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303184447/http://www.mukuna.co.nz/auckland/central/gig13157.htm|archive-date=2009-03-03}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/News/crookers_break_up|title=Crookers Break Up|website=Exclaim.ca}}
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|date=April 2015}} '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|date=April 2015}}.
Biography
Phra began DJing at age 11, when he was introduced to the Italian hip hop scene.{{cite web|url=http://www.djguide.nl/djinfo.p?djid=5680&language=en|title=MC Crookers: DJ Phra and Bot|publisher=DJ Guide|access-date=2009-02-16}}
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.{{cite web |date= |title=Need for Speed Nitro soundtrack at RacingSoundtracks.com |url=https://racingsoundtracks.com/game/need-for-speed-nitro |access-date=24 February 2024 |website=racingsoundtracks.com}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jan/19/kid-cudi-interview|title=Kid Cudi: 'I've always been ahead of the curve'|last=Sawjani |first=Archna|date=2009-01-20|work=Guardian.co.uk|access-date=2009-02-16}}{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/song/41210 |title=acharts |website=Acharts.us |access-date=2020-04-16}}
Crookers work with producer/remixer Sketch Iz Dead on many of their tracks.{{cite web|url=http://www.lastfm.es/event/3525271+Egg+presents...Crookers?setlang=es|title=Egg presents...Crookers|website=Lastfm.es}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2012/07/14/attenti-ai-due-crookers-che-rimixano-miti.html|title=Attenti ai due Crookers che rimixano i miti rock|work=Archivio – la Repubblica.it|date=14 July 2012 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/U2-Get-On-Your-Boots-Crookers-Remix/release/1693685 |title=U2 - Get on Your Boots (Crookers Remix) (Vinyl) at Discogs |website=Discogs |access-date=2013-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612045927/http://www.discogs.com/U2-Get-On-Your-Boots-Crookers-Remix/release/1693685 |archive-date=2013-06-12 |url-status=dead }}
In November 2010, the duo signed a deal with Interscope Records, and they released their new single "We Love Animals"{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48SM9o63Bus |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/48SM9o63Bus |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=Crookers ft Soulwax & Mixhell – We Love Animals (FULL OFFICIAL VERSION)(HQ)|date=11 December 2009|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} under the label as their first single of their upcoming second studio album.
On {{Start date|2011| 6| 27| df= y}}, Crookers released The Gonzo Anthem EP. Then on 24 October, they released their second album, Dr Gonzo,{{cite web| url= http://www.beatport.com/release/dr-gonzo/740966| title= This item it territory restricted| website= Beatport| quote= Restricted: We're sorry for the inconvenience but the item you tried to view is restricted in [the UK].| access-date= 15 November 2013| archive-date= 3 November 2013| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131103143527/http://www.beatport.com/release/dr-gonzo/740966| url-status= dead}}{{better source needed| date= November 2013| reason= Territory restricted}} 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| date= November 2013| reason= By whom of note, when?}}
Bot left the group in October 2012. Phra continues to use the Crookers name as a solo project.{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2012/10/19/italian-electro-house-duo-crookers-break-up/|title=Italian electro-house duo Crookers break up|work=FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music.|date=19 October 2012}}
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.
Discography
=Albums=
=Singles and EPs=
| class="wikitable" |
| style="text-align:center; width:35px;"|Year
!Artists !Title ! style="text-align:center;"|Release date !Label |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"|2006
|Crookers |End 2 End | style="text-align:center;"|Oct, 2006 | style="text-align:center;"|P-House |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="7"|2007
|Crookers |Aguas de Parco | style="text-align:center;"|Mar 1, 2007 | style="text-align:center;"|Big Sur Recordings |
| Crookers
|Made in Italy | style="text-align:center;"|May 1, 2007 | style="text-align:center;"|On The Brink |
| Crookers
|Funk Mundial #3 | style="text-align:center;"|May 18, 2007 |
| Crookers feat. La Pisa & Mr. Cocky
|Limonare | style="text-align:center;"|Jun 1, 2007 | style="text-align:center;"|P-House |
| Crookers vs. Il Deboscio
|Limonare vs. Frangetta | style="text-align:center;"|Jul 5, 2007 | style="text-align:center;"|Xnote S.r.l |
| Crookers
|Massive | style="text-align:center;"|Sep 14, 2007 | style="text-align:center;"|Potty Mouth Music |
| Crookers / The Bloody Beetroots
|Timberland Boots | style="text-align:center;"|Nov, 2007 | style="text-align:center;"|White Label |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="5"|2008
|Crookers |Knobbers | style="text-align:center;"|Jan 27, 2008 | style="text-align:center;"|Southern Fried Records |
| Crookers
|Love to Edit | style="text-align:center;"|Feb, 2008 | style="text-align:center;"|White Label |
| Crookers
|Mad Kidz | style="text-align:center;"|Jul 20, 2008 | style="text-align:center;"|Southern Fried Records |
| Crookers
|E.P.istola | style="text-align:center;"|Jul 29, 2008 | style="text-align:center;"|Mad Decent |
| Kid Cudi vs. Crookers
| style="text-align:center;"|Dec 24, 2008 | style="text-align:center;"|Data Records |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="5"|2009
|Crookers feat. Wiley & Thomas Jules |Business Man | style="text-align:center;"|Aug 23, 2009 | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|Southern Fried Records |
| Crookers feat. Kardinal Offishall & Carla-Marie
|Put Your Hands On Me | style="text-align:center;"|Oct 4, 2009 |
| Crookers
|What Up Y'all | style="text-align:center;"|Oct 6, 2009 | style="text-align:center;"|Fool's Gold Records |
| Crookers feat. Kelis
|No Security | style="text-align:center;"|Nov 29, 2009 | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="5"|Southern Fried Records |
| Crookers feat. Soulwax & Mixhell
|We Love Animals | style="text-align:center;"|Dec 10, 2009 |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="4"|2010
|Crookers feat. Fabri Fibra & Dargen D'Amico |Festa | style="text-align:center;"|Feb 12, 2010 |
| Crookers feat. Miike Snow
|Remedy | style="text-align:center;"|Feb 28, 2010 |
| Crookers feat. Róisín Murphy
|Royal T | style="text-align:center;"|May 23, 2010 |
| Crookers feat. Yelle
|Cooler Couleur | style="text-align:center;"|Aug, 2010 | style="text-align:center;"|La Musique Fait La Force |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="5"|2011
|Crookers & Savage Skulls |Bust 'Em Up | style="text-align:center;"|Apr 10, 2011 | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="5"|Southern Fried Records |
| Crookers & Savage Skulls
|Bust 'Em Up Remixes | style="text-align:center;"|Aug 7, 2011 |
| Crookers
| The Gonzo Anthem | style="text-align:center;"|Jun 26, 2011 |
| Crookers
|The Gonzo Anthem Remixes | style="text-align:center;"|Aug 29, 2011 |
| Crookers feat. Hudson Mohawke & Carli
|Hummus | style="text-align:center;"|Nov 20, 2011 |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="9"|2012
|Guè Pequeno vs. Crookers |R.E.B. | style="text-align:center;"|Mar 20, 2012 | style="text-align:center;"|Universal Music Italia |
| Crookers with Style of Eye & Carli
|That Laughing Track | style="text-align:center;"|Apr 29, 2012 | style="text-align:center;"|Southern Fried Records |
| Crookers
| Massive (Remixed) | style="text-align:center;"|May 22, 2012 | style="text-align:center;"|Potty Mouth Music |
| Fabri Fibra vs. Crookers
|L'Italiano Balla | style="text-align:center;"|Jun 29, 2012 | style="text-align:center;"|Universal Music Italia |
| Crookers with Neoteric & Wah Motif
|Springer | style="text-align:center;"|Jul 9, 2012 | style="text-align:center;"|Southern Fried Records |
| Crookers
|Bowser | style="text-align:center;"|Sep 4, 2012 | style="text-align:center;"|Fool's Gold Records |
| Crookers
|From Then Until Now | style="text-align:center;"|Oct 29, 2012 | style="text-align:center;"|Southern Fried Records |
| Crookers
|Big Booty Bootleg | style="text-align:center;"|Nov 12, 2012 | style="text-align:center;"|Ciao Recs |
| Crookers & RVBRA
|Pop That Bootleg | style="text-align:center;"|Dec 4, 2012 | style="text-align:center;"|Ciao Recs |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|2013
|Crookers |Giga / A Go Go | style="text-align:center;"|Feb 19, 2013 | style="text-align:center;"|Ciao Recs |
| Crookers
|Remixed Part 1 – Bangers | style="text-align:center;"|Mar 4, 2013 | style="text-align:center;"|Southern Fried Records |
| Crookers
|Ghetto Guetta | style="text-align:center;"|Oct 22, 2013 |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|2014
|Crookers |Heavy | style="text-align:center;"|Mar 25, 2014 | style="text-align:center;"|Ciao Recs |
| Crookers
|Able To Maximize | style="text-align:center;"|May 6, 2014 | style="text-align:center;"|Ciao Recs |
| Crookers
|Picture This | style="text-align:center;"|Sept 9, 2014 | style="text-align:center;"|Ciao Recs |
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|2015
|Crookers feat. Jeremih |I Just Can't | style="text-align:center;"|March, 2015 | style="text-align:center;"|Ciao Recs |
| Crookers & DJ Funk
|Skype Music | style="text-align:center;"|Sept 25, 2015 | style="text-align:center;"|Ciao Recs |
=Music videos=
=Remixes=
| class="wikitable" |
| style="text-align:center; width:35px;"|Year
!Artist !Track !Title |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2005
|Stylophonic |"Baby Beat Box" | |
| Stylophonic
|"We Got Some People In Da House" |Stylophonic Meets the Crookers Mix |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2006
| |
| Jovanotti
|"Questo è Un Mondo Selvaggio" | |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="15"|2007
|Adam Sky vs. Mark Stewart |"We Are Prostitutes" | |
| Armand Van Helden
|Crookers 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 |
| Edu K
|"Gatas Gatas Gatas" |Crookers Crunk |
| Jamelia
|Crookers Crunky Remix |
| N*E*R*D
|Phra Re-Fix |
| Rodion
|"Electric Soca" | |
| The Bumblebeez
|"Dr Love" |Crooker$ Remix |
| The Chemical Brothers
|"Salmon Dance" |Crookers 'Wow' Mix |
| Timbaland
|Crookers – The Way We Are |
| Tocadisco feat. Chelonis R. Jones
|"Shrine" | |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="28"|2008
|"Dooms Night" | |
| Busy P feat. Murs
|"To Protect and Entertain" |Crookers Remix |
| Boosta feat. Skin
|"Last" |Crookers Crunk Remix |
| Cazals
|"Life Is Boring" |Crookers No Fear to Fly Remix |
| Chromeo
| |
| Clark Able
|"Lemon Head" | |
| Danny
| |
| David Guetta feat. Thailand
|"Joan of Arc" |Crookers Pimp My Ark Remix |
| Diplo feat. Rye Rye
|"Wassup Wassup" |Crookers 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
|Crookers Crack Mix |
| Nelly Furtado
|"Maneater" | |
| Radioclit
|"Secousse" |Crookers Spino Mix |
| Shinichi Osawa
|"Rendezvous" | |
| Snoop Dogg
| |
| Timbaland feat. OneRepublic
|"Apologize" | |
| The Bumblebeez
|"Rio" |Crookers Bang Remix |
| The Outhere Brothers
|"Enjoy" |Crookers Vocal Mix |
| The Proxy
|"Raven" | |
| The Secret Handshake
|"Summer of '98" | |
| The Whip
|"Trash" | |
| Wiley
|"Summertime" | |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="9"|2009
|Crookers feat. Kelis |"No Security" |Crookers Ode to the Whales Remix |
| Britney Spears
| |
| 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
| |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="9"|2010
|"Stick Up Kids" | |
| Dennis Ferrer
|"Hey Hey" | |
| Faithless
|"Tweak Your Nipple" | |
| Green Velvet
|"La La Land" | |
| Lady Gaga & Beyoncé
|"Telephone" |Crookers Vocal 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
|Crookers Dirrrrrty Mix |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2011
|Major Lazer feat. The Partysquad |"Original Don" | |
| Munchi feat. Mr. Lexx
|"Shottas" | |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="5"|2012
|"Stop It" | |
| Isa GT
|"Alegria" | |
| WAFA
|"Abandon Me" | |
| Taku Inoue
|"F.F.Y.R. (Livemonitor)" | |
| Chuckie & Junxterjack
|"Make Some Noise" | |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2013
| |
| TJR
|"Ode to Oi" | |
| style="text-align:center;"|2014
|"Stoner" | |
| style="text-align:center;"|2015
|"Burial" | |
| style="text-align:center;"|2018
|Mavi Phoenix |"LOS SANTOS" |Crookers Infinity Mix |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Discogs artist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Musical groups established in 2003
Category:Italian electronic music groups
Category:Italian dance music groups
Category:Electronic dance music duos
Category:Dance-punk musical groups
Category:Musical groups from Milan