DEF JAM RECORDINGS: THE FIRST 25 YEARS OF THE LAST GREAT RECORD LABEL [RIZZOLI]

The Rizzoli published Def Jam coffee table book, an oral history work written by Bill Adler and designed by Cey Adams, has hit the street.
























You can find an interview conducted by Ted Panken with the book's designer, Cey Adams on the branding of Def Jam Records, on themortonreport.com.

KANYE WEST DEBUTS HIS 'DW' WOMENS FASHION LINE

This month Kanye West took his talents into another arena with the debut of his 'DW' clothing line—a line for women named after his late mother, Donda West. Russell created Phat Farm, Diddy did Sean John, and Jay w/Dame brought forth the street reflection fashions of Roc-A-Wear. However, West's efforts in the women's realm of fashion may be the first time a member/rapper/producer from the Hip-hop scene/industry/nation/generation, etc.

Whether you approve of his fashion sense as it pertains to the creations he's manifested in tribute to his mother, West, like a small crew of other Hip-Hop industry shapers, has pushed the boundaries out even further as to what talented young Black men in Hip-Hop can do.

PICK FROS NOT FIGHTS

Stumbled upon this art and campaign from the creative "frollaboration" company, Frolab. Don't know how old or new this work is but we're digging the message, artwork and slogan covered handbooks [what's in the handbooks?]. Eyrkah, Lupe, ?uest representing with a grip. Plastic black fisted props!





















































































So, go and "PICK FROS NOT FIGHTS"!

AIGA'S MY MTV: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

THURSDAY 10 JUNE 2010 6:30–8:30PM

MY MTV: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

AIGA/NY Presents: “My MTV: Where Are They Now?” and takes a look at the work and creative legacies of those that helped create MTV’s world-renown visual identity. 6/10/10, 6:30–8:30PM at Tishman Auditorium

FROM ELVIS TO LADY GAGA: PLAYING WITH SHOCK VALUE IN MUSIC

From NPR music:



Musicians have long used shock value to pump up interest in their music. Elvis Presley swung his hips, Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a bat, Madonna sang about her nonexistent virginity and Marilyn Manson named himself after a convicted killer. But how much has shock value changed since the days when Osbourne supposedly bit the bat? And what would have happened if the Internet had been around?

The story is something of an urban legend, and that's part of its power, says Tavia Nyong'o, a professor of performance studies at New York University. No one had cameras in their phones back then, so the shock came from repeating the story. "Did you hear? Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a bat!"

Read more.