Jay-Z’s ‘Death of Auto-Tune’ Spawns Sales of Auto-Tune

While some brands pay millions to have rappers endorse their brands, others reap the benefits of their scorn, for free! In June, Jay-Z released his game-changing “D.O.A.” track, calling for the official death of the T-Pain-voice-sounding trend that infested hip hop and r&b. The song was an instant hit and many predicted that it would definitely influence the industry, but not like this. The company responsible for the Auto-Tune software is happy to announce that its sales are up, thanks in part to the controversy the mogul-rapper has generated. The VP of marketing is ecstatic about being in the cross hairs, but really appreciates the cost effectiveness: “We couldn’t buy P.R. like this.” |ArtsBeat/NYT|

By on July 30, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Comment

The sister of infant-eater and future resident of Hell, Otty Sanchez, was the unfortunate family member who woke up to screams and the corpse of her newly murdered, 3 1/2 week-old nephew. Priscilla Sanchez made the call to 911 and is heard describing the horrific scene as her sister rambles on about loving the child she just ate and then starts stabbing herself. Listen to the frightful call here. |MercuryNews|

By on July 30, 2009 at 5:37 pm
1 Comment

This miniature flying robot helicopter could be coming to a police department near you. Designed by Aeryon Labs, the $50K surveillance device is equipped with a digital camera that streams video and “can fly in up to 30 mph winds for up to 20 minutes” and can reach a max altitude of 500—for now—so as not to violate FAA restrictions. Think of it as mini-Predator but without the guns, they’re saving that option for subsequent models. |CNET|

By on July 30, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Comment

Montana Unveils New Spray Can Collabos

montana-spraypaint-mr-cartoon
montana-spraypaint-sam-flores
montana-spraypaint-retna-the-mac
montana-spraypaint-mq


After their exclusive tribute to Vaughn and Mark Bode, Montana Colors is dropping a new limited edition series of artist-styled spray cans. In partnership with Upper Playground, the upcoming release features work by graffiti artists RETNA and EL MAC, artist Sam Flores, tattoo artist Mr. Cartoon as well as MQ, the only straight up graffiti bomber of the bunch. |12oz|

By on July 30, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Comment

Trashing the Metro

When Toronto-based street artist Posterchild found some disused newspaper dispensers, he filled them with flowers. Less creative White Plains commuters just filled an abandoned Metro newspaper dispenser with trash. And once it couldn’t hold any more of their garbage, they jacked open the top so they could continue not using the trash bin just 25 feet away. As part of her daily commute, Greenpoint blogger Bitch Cakes monitored the disgusting development for more than a month until it was finally cleaned up.

Photos by Bitch Cakes

By on July 30, 2009 at 3:26 pm
1 Comment

Greenpeace Vandals Hit the Roof, Bomb HP Headquarters

hp_hq_greenpeace

Activist-vandals from Greenpeace gained access to the roof of Hewlett Packard headquarters in California and painted the words “Hazardous Products” to protest the electronics juggernaut for abandoning a public promise to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals in their products. Using non-toxic finger paint, the environmental group rolled out the message that’s approximately the “size of two and half basketball courts.”

Photo by Kim White/Greenpeace

By on July 30, 2009 at 2:45 pm
5 Comments

Marc Jacobs Terrorizes West Village

While the Times champions stylish Dutch bikes and Urban Outfitters retails color-customized fixed gears, Marc Jacobs steers toward the impractical and less popular trend in cycling: pennyfarthings. The vintage bike is displayed in the front window of his Bleecker Street store with a skeleton rider for reasons only the fashion world can explain.

Photo by BikeSnobNYC

By on July 30, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Comment

5 Pointz Gets a Fresh Coat of Paint

West Side of 5 Pointz During Repairs
West Side of 5 Pointz During Repairs
Stairs Dismantled Following Collapse
Stairs Dismantled Following Collapse
5 Pointz Courtyard After Repairs
5 Pointz Courtyard After Repairs
Freshly Painted 5 Pointz Getting Graffiti
Freshly Painted 5 Pointz Getting Graffiti


Long Island City’s legal graffiti haven, 5 Pointz, is offering aerosol artists a clean new canvas. Fresh coats of paint have been going up with some new repairs following the spring stairway collapse which seriously injured resident jewelry designer Nicole Gagne. The future of the indoor artist studios looks grim, but “every evening the artists are there, diligently trying to keep up with the yellow paint machines” on the building’s exterior, liQcity reports. The art show benefit in support of Gagne’s recovery takes place tonight.

By on July 30, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Comment

Recently arrested street artist ZEVS has sworn off liquidating any more logos while he’s stuck in Hong Kong awaiting his day in court. In a recent interview, the Parisian artist also commends his arresting officers, saying they “did treat me well. They did not put me in handcuffs or make me uncomfortable.” |Art Radar Asia|

By on July 30, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Comment

Similar to the women-haters in Uganda, the Sudanese have also adopted a perverse form of Islam that mandates strict dress codes for females. A woman is facing 40 lashes for wearing “trousers that were too tight and a blouse that was too sheer” according to the country’s real life fashion police. |CNN|

By on July 30, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Comment

Last Page

Next Page