News has broke over night of the passing of a genuinely talented artist, Whitney Houston, at the age of 48. Preparing to make an appearance at Hollywood’s most anticipated events, the Grammys, the singer and actress passed away in her Beverly Hills hotel with the police pronouncing her deceased at 3:55pm PST. Having made such a huge impact in the 80’s and 90’s it was known she had battled alcohol and drug addiction in recent years, there is no news there is a connection but much can be said that she will be a hugely missed personality. Thoughts go out to Houston’s family and friends.

Whitney Houston RIP is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

How James Lavelle continually manages to transform and retool UNKLE, while still producing progressive and interesting music is a feat on its own. UNKLE continues to put out amazing bodies of work as last seen by their album Where Did the Night Fall: Another Night Out, an extension of their 2010 release Where Did the Night Fall. Although we rarely receive visuals put to any of their music, the standout track “Another Night Out” from that album has seen an proper visual representation via director Toby Dye. Set to an moody depiction of an amateur boxers pre fight ritual, the marriage of sound and visuals create an beautiful film of sorts the likes we have come to expect from anything that represents the UNKLE name.

UNKLE “Another Night Out” Music Video is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Well known photographer Terry Richardson has shot controversial singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for The New York Times T Magazine with his signature style pivotal. Dressed in labels like Chanel, Christian Dior, Carven, Emporio Armani Underwear, Opening Ceremony, Diesel and Charlotte Olympia for Peter Som this makes for another compelling subject for Richardson.

Lana Del Rey by Terry Richardson for T Magazine is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

You may be one of the many whom missed out on the opportunity to experience the Jay-Z & Kanye West Watch the Throne tour but don’t fret as the latest video for the infectious, head nodding, and luxury rap theme song “Ni**gas In Paris” has arrived. The video arrives with a fitting epilepsy warn as an live performance of the song while on tour is seen through the eyes of a kaleidoscope in a visual event that would put a strain on the eyes of the most seasoned of art critics eyes. Sit back and enjoy the show.

Jay-Z & Kanye West “Ni**as In Paris” Music Video is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Late last year we received news of the Converse x Gorillaz Chuck Taylor All Star Collection but now we can provide you with more substance. Consisting of four renditions of the iconic sneaker, each created by designer and Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett with the collection defined by the diversity of the group and the elements that make the group so unique. the project is completed with a Converse “Three Artists. One Song” original track entitled “DoYaThing” featuring Gorillaz, James Murphy and Andre 3000 of OutKast. You can download the track for free from www.converse.com come February 23.

Converse x Gorillaz Chuck Taylor All Star Collection is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Japanese musician Towa Tei has created this design which has seen Stussy and Mach team up to celebrate “MOTIVATION” that will take place at Air in Tokyo on February 10. With Rip Slyme, DJ Fumiya, Dopeness x DJ Skyfish, Dorian and Sawa all set to play a set this makes for an event to see.

Thanks to Honeyee for the info.

Stussy x Mach Designed by Towa Tei is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Wired.com recently ran an article called “The New French Hacker-Artist Underground,” featuring a relatively new association called UX, or Urban eXperiment. This underground group from Paris, France is known for carrying out acts of cultural preservation and repairs, “restoring those invisible parts of [their] patrimony that the government has abandoned or doesn’t have the means to maintain” thanks to the city’s network of underground passageways. Most famously the group has been recognized for infiltrating the Pantheon, restoring the building’s 19th century clock which had not chimed since the 1960s. The full read can be seen here which looks into how the government views the UX group and what they have been working on around the city for the past couple of years.

Wired: “The New French Hacker-Artist Underground” is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

A$AP Rocky and his crew give Dazed Digital a guided tour of their Harlem hotspots in this exclusive Tim Noakes film. In the short video you will see some behind the scenes footage of the artist’s “Wassup” video shoot, the Dazed & Confused cover shoot and more.

A$AP Rocky + The A$AP Mob: Harlem State of Mind is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Earlier today after A$AP Rocky’s music video for “Wassup” dropped, Complex decided to release the cover story for their next issue featuring the fashionable rapper and acclaimed designer Jeremy Scott. The full story looks into their unlikely friendship, fashion styles and more. Check out the full cover story only at Complex here.

Complex: “Knock ’Em Out The Box” A$AP Rocky & Jeremy Scott is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Continuing his hard hit on the music industry, Harlem’s A$AP Rocky teamed up with VICE Magazine to present the latest video off his LiveLoveA$AP mixtape. The result is a video that follows A$AP Rocky through a dreamy fantasy world filled with 40s, Ferari’s, homies and hoards of cash. Enjoy.

A$AP Rocky “Wassup” Music Video is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

The french duo Justice is back with their latest visual offering for “ON’N'ON” their latest release Audio, Video, Disco. Following in the classic rock tone much of their sophomore album took, “ON’N'ON” approaches the electro sound with a much subdued approach, however the Alexandre Courtes Directed video doesn’t. The video takes the viewer through an NSFW intergalactic journey that an continum of naked girls, skulls, and of course Justice., an trippy experience is definitely to be had. The release of visuals for “ON’N'ON” coincides with the release of the On’n’On EP in a week, which includes remixes of the track by Tiga, Rick Rubin, Brodinski, Erol Alkan and Video Village.

Justice “ON’N'ON” Video is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

After debuting the “Letting Go Remix” last week off their upcoming Don’t Drop The Flag EP, Life+Times caught up with collaborators Lupe Fiasco and Sky Gellatly to discuss the their new project, its purpose and giving back.

SKY: Above all, Lupe and I are friends. We both have always had a respect for creative culture and for doing what we can to motivate and support the next generation of creative minds. Being a role model in just words, is different than being a role model in words and action. As friends, about a year and a half ago, we discovered that we both had a passion for electronic music. Well, a serious addiction, actually. And then, like real friends, we just said, “Hey, let’s start DJing together.” And we just stuck to our promise as friends, in and out of Lupe touring, and me with several other jobs. It’s just been genuine and fun from the start.

LUPE FIASCO: After conceptualizing “The Soundclash,” literally two sides of sound or musical tastes coming together (read: Sky and I), we were dedicated to leveraging our project as a way to positively influence culture. We knew that we had to make our own music to add to the canon, and we wanted to stand for philanthropy in a big way. Go big or go home.

Read the full interview over at Life + Times here.

SNDCLSH Interview With Life + Times is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Here is a look at the first installation from A-Trak for Fool’s Gold Radio, a mix he prescribes for chair-dancing or getting dressed to go. The Montreal-born aplies his signature traits to the 24 tracks with scratching and beat juggling highlighting the mix.

A-Trak: Fool’s Gold Radio – January 2012 Mix is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

What a fitting way to celebrate the birth of your first child by producing a song dedicated to her. Jay-Z turned to his long time collaborators the Neptunes to help celebrate one of life’s more beautiful moment the birth of ones first seed on “Glory”. The song sees Jay as an introverted father speaking of the moment of birth. Baby Ivy also sees her first writing credits, she’s well on her way on her career path as a star.

Listen:

Credit: Nahright

Jay-Z ft. B.I.C. “Glory” Prod. Neptunes is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

2011 saw independent artist make huge strides in commercial success and 2012 is shaping up to start the same way. The influx of new talent seemingly coming out of nowhere is a refreshing change with Hip Hop seemingly seeing much of the talent coming from their ranks. This time next year the name Flatbush Zombies may very well be well solidified in the mouths of bloggers, editors, and the musically curious globally. Directed by Luke Monaghan with SLAMXHYPE favorite Tone serving as DP “Thug Waffle” is the first taste the world is given of the group in a visual format, and indicates the true energy of the duo in a beautifully shot, well styled video. Looking forward to seeing / hearing much more from the Flatbush boys.

Flatbush Zombies “Thug Waffle” is a post from: SLAMXHYPE