::Major Aces– Afrobeta and Art of Shade

Afrobeta has it. Cuci [coo-see], Afrobeta’s front woman has it. That “it,” irreplaceable and admirable. Her voice, her swing, and her big smile are the same on stage and off. She’s a natural born star. Cuci carries with herself an aura of beauty and charm capable of lighting up any moons in the whole universe. On the other hand, the afro to the beta, Tony “Smurphio” Laurencio. Behind that fro, he improvises and conceptualizes sounds, beats and melodies coming up with the pulse of Afrobeta’s electro-heart.

And just as good they are with their rhythms they are with their fashion. Last month, Afrobeta paired up with another major ace in Miami for their two in a row performances at Ultra Music Festival. Art Of Shade’s head designer Kacey Armstrong, and stylist Mila Gonzales orchestrated Cuci Amador’s outfits.

For Saturday’s night performance, Tony came dressed in a golden-yellow Bethovene-esque 18^th century suit. Cuci dressed it up with an Art of Shade design that ruled with ruffles and ruffles of fabric on her neck. Her styling ranged the centuries from head to toe. Moving down with a more contemporary style of recycled leather-like vest cris-crossed with golden zippers. Her skirt composed of strips of soccerball’s leather made up a constructed mini-skirt. Her legs were caged-in with vintage elastic –falling more in the gladiator theme for a bit, but her black platform shoes adorned with metal plates made the kick and dance of our time.

For Sunday’s closing act performance at Ultra’s Live Stage, Art of Shade had to synchronize Cuci’s outfit with Tony’s time-capsule, outer-space gear. Bobby Ray, assistant designer and photographer for Art of Shade shared some details of this night’s outfit: the team when back a couple of decades and studied Barbarella’s style, for inspiration,. The result, a Cuci with blond and red striped long hair, neon make-up and white and black dress also made of recycled leather and materials as truth to Art of Shade’s philosophy.

Afrobeta has it, Art of Shade has it. Miami has it all.

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Afrobeta will be releasing their first single “Play House” EP in May ( in support of their upcoming full length-Under The Streets, releasing Summer 2011) . It will comprise of the original track, 2 remixes by renowned international producers: Larry Tee, Alexander Technique and Junior Sanchez and local electronic duo–Sounduo. They were the winners of the Ultra Music Festival remix contest.

Stay connected  log on to www.afrobeta.com and be a fan on their facebook page: facebook.com/afrobetafan

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*Photos by Bobby Ray