Sheer brilliance by the agency responsible for the latest Adidas campaign. The track is what actually caught my attention at first. Feel good business, all day. Some of you may recognize the Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons flip, it's actually Madcon on one of the reworks. Pick-up their album effort, So Dark The Son Of Man, out now and available here. The version on the commercial is actually Pilooski's edit, thanks Martin!
In terms of the ad doing what it's supposed to do, it hits the mark, spot on. I've seen a few blogs here and there bitching about the fact that a horde of celebrities appear in the spot and making snide remarks with regards to the irony behind the Celebrate Originality campaign.
Give me a break. Don't hate.
The commercial features some of the most prominent supporters Adidas has; be it by contract or otherwise.
Get off it and respect due to 60 years of Adidas. Salute.
I came across this intersting article regarding library music. If some of you aren't readily familiar, it's those seemingly generic beats that are really only good as filler on television or film. Eat your words, my friend. As music that is royalty free, and as a result, ripe for the picking, producers have had a field-day with this material. I lean towards (and cite) Music Bakery because that's the outfit I've done the most work with in the past.
The article brings to light some of the effects that this kind of music has had on the contemporary listener, now 20 years into the future. It's an intersting read for anyone who is a music enthusiast, audiophile, or is simply aware of this kind of music and could be impressed in the form its taken 20 years down the road, now being recognized as a genre.
[ The FCC ] "acted arbitrarily and capriciously" The court found that the FCC deviated from its nearly 30-year practice of fining indecent broadcast programming only when it was so "pervasive as to amount to 'shock treatment' for the audience."
With so many dope pieces of art coming from the Scritch and Scratch blog, sometimes it's hard to keep up with such a level of quality output, all things (read as: TIME, I need clones) considered. There is always something innovative going on at S&S, and the tasteful blend of old versus new-school in this piece only hints at their versatility. Check out The Daily Freshnessfor more of this slick style.
Art only? Oh naw, insightful commentary within.
Scratch touches on a few interesting points in this article, and it's an eye-opener if you're not really keen to seeing the entertainment industry from that angle. That topic came up quite a bit in our case study of the UPN and WB Networks last semester. If you feel compelled to dig deeper, read Season Finale: The Unexpected Rise and Fall Of the WB and UPN.
Also from S&S, a Nick Diaz quote that resonated with me. He's sounding like Mike Tyson, but with less crazy-person and more vicious fighter.
Right now, it’s all work time. It’s not happy life time.
Actually, come to think of it, that's the quote of the year.
Now that I've managed to catapult you around my tangent-filled Geminisms, enjoy these Crooklyn classics. All these references to Crooklyn and the Dodgers got me motivated. What?
Yo! MTV Raps celebrates 20 years by airing throughout April, should be hella nostalgic to see Dr. Dre, Ed Lover, Fab 5 Freddy, and all the tacky shit you had throughout the 80s and 90s. Here's a little snippet of some drops from way back. Classic.
That’s right, you read correctly. Yo! MTV Raps is coming back on the air and online for the entire month of April. Why? To celebrate Yo!’s 20th anniversary, of course. You’ll be able to check out rare pics of your favorite hip-hop artists, vintage playlists of classic videos, exclusive interviews with Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Doctor Dre, and more classic clips than Slick Rick’s got gold chains.
Your default destination should be here on the Sucker Free blog (duh!), and yo.mtv.com
Get ready for Yo! MTV Raps month, starting in April.
You read right, Luther Campbell (fka Luke Skywalker) is joining the Celebreality roster at VH1 with his own show, Parental Advisory. I'm a fan of Flavor Of Love, and I grew up on Uncle Luke/2 Live Crew (as with Flavor Flav), so you know I'll be watching. Don't get it twisted, I'm not exactly saying this is innovative and refreshing programming with a profound social utility; but it is amusing.
I'll just let the Ghetto Gourmet explain as he walks you through the preparation of a Coolio Caprese Salad. Thought this was all a joke? Help yourself to the receipe.
The Boondocks Season 2 Episode 13 Gangstalicious Part 2
Just because I'm a huge fan of the Boondocks. I caught this episode last night after calling it a day from a massive study session. Comedy gold throughout this entire episode. I can't wait for the Season 2 DVD to hit. Word is Aaron McGruder is working on a live action series, amongst some assorted news regarding heat between him and BET. Nonetheless, keep keepin' on Aaron, great work.
Listen to Rock & Roll Gangster, the music bed when Riley confronts Gangstalicious. I was dyin' when I saw this kid come on screen in a tanktop and short skirt. I damn near keeled over into some kind of laughtastic arrest. Mos Def voices Gangstalicious perfectly, and Busta's cameo was killin' as well.
As Sunday draws near, the Superbowl frenzy begins and all over the United States chicken wings are becoming scarce. Truthfully, the game is absolutely irrelevant to me. I'm all about the commercials... and the drinking. This spot for Diet Pepsi Max features Busta, LL, and Missy. Comedy gold from beginning to end, sourced via Nah Right. Background music is a 90s shot, Haddaway's What Is Love. Enjoy this cover of that club classic John Bourke.
The word about the digital televisionswitch-over seems to be getting out to the masses, and the Federal Government has started to accept voucher applications for the digital converter boxes you'll need on February 17, 2009 if you have an analog television set. They will issue up to two $40 vouchers per household towards the purchase of an digital-to-analog converter.
Will you need a converter?
If you purchased a television after March 1, 2007, probably not. Federal mandate orders that sets manufactured after that date must come with digital tuners, standard.
If you subscribe to a cable or satellite service, definitely not, as your over-the-air broadcast channels are being sent via coax or fiber.
Who will need a converter?
Homes with older analog television sets, those using rabbit ears, or those without a subscription to a cable or satellite service.
For more info and the voucher application, follow this link.
I'm excited for this transition, go figure, I'm a dork.
Last night I caught an episode of the History Channel's new series Gangland, which takes a historical look at American street gangs. Having seen my fair share throughout my life in Miami, the story of the Latin Kings definitely caught my attention. Gangland airs Thursdays at 9pm EST on the History Channel. Check the series theme laced up by Buckshot and courtesy of Duckdown.
Duck Down Records makes a serious power move by securing a 5-track deal with ESPN. Original music from Buckshot, Heltah Skeltah (Sean P & Rock) , Smif-N-Wessun, and a solo with Tek will be featured throughout the men's college basketball season. Peep Heltah's Getcha Team produced exclusively for this deal.
I was already anxiously awaiting the second season, merely by greatness of the first, but now Aaron McGruder just upped the ante. The series took home a Peabody Award last year, but that's all secondary to the glorious quotables of the William's voiced A Pimp Named Slickback.
For all Ghost heads, and fans of up tempo Hip Hop ala early Kane and Ice-T...
