Fatboy Slim opens new Big Beach Cafe in hometown
Brighton hometown hero Norman Cook, or internationally touring DJ Fatboy Slim, has ventured outside the realm of electronic music and into the risky food business. Back in June, he opened up the Big Beach Cafe in his seaside hometown of Brighton, in hopes he's able to "cement [his] relationship with the community" and give something valuable back. The space of the cafe was formerly an all-vegan spot, so at the very least, some patrons may just be thankful to find non-vegan options after a day at the beach. Norman seems to know the market -- he went to school in Brighton, brings the Big Beach Boutique shows to the shores of Brighton every year, and rather than focusing on an upscale establishment, knows the cafe culture is what lies at Brighton's core.
Good Morning Mix – Fatboy Slim’s Xmas Mixtape 2011
Some of you may be using your holidays to light the menorah, trim the tree, or eat an obscene amount of peppermint bark but Fatboy Slim makes us mixes. Last year, Norm released a free mix to celebrate Christmas cheer and we're taking another listen this year as a lead-up to this year's holidays. This is a DJ mix in the traditional sense; Norm throws in the old and new, telling a story along the way. We've got Queen, Riva Starr, Beardyman, Azealia Banks, Afrojack, Bart B More & Harvard Bass, Grandmaster Flash, and Moby all woven together into a neat little Fatboy Slim tapestry of sound. It's high energy and never misses a beat -- take a listen for yourself below.
Good Morning Mix – Norman Cook Essential Mix (6-12-1998)
Perhaps the most well known producer of the 90s, Norman Cook, under the moniker Fatboy Slim, bridged the gap between the booming underground scene and the mainstream consciousness. With a slew of releases that have stood the test of time, his importance in the US dance culture is undeniable. Heavily influenced by hip hop and the Chicago house scene, Norman's style was quickly adopted into pop culture (most of you may remember the incredibly iconic music videos for "Weapon of Choice" and "Praise You.") On this essential mix from 15 years ago, Norman showcases a wide breadth of classic productions. Opening with the career-defining "Gangster Tripping," he creates a hip hop-centric masterpiece that features tracks from the Beastie Boys, Wiseguys, Grand Larceny, Loop Da Loop and of course, Afrika Bambaataa. When it comes to creating feel good vibes, you'll be hard-pressed to find a DJ that does it as flawlessly as Mr. Cook - as if you weren't happy enough that today was Friday.