Not to sound like an Old-Skool grandad, but Hip-Hop in its prime is an art form of humour, genuine emotion and boundless creativity. When it achieves those heady heights, it looks a lot like El-P’s Stepfather Factory from 2001.

A product for society becomes a product of society in this thought provoking (but ultimately slept on) addition to the nature vs nurture debate.

The video may not have made it to MTV and the like, but when it comes to a creative concept that’s both brilliantly thought out and impactful, work like this should pop up on your radar.

From the ashes of Rise comes the UpRise Anti-Racism Festival on October 3 in Finsbury Park London.

The previous incarnation went down in a blaze of contention and glory. Brazen Bunch, Zap! Bang! and twenty%extra™ have bowed to the will of the people to bring back an event that never should have left in the first place.

We’ve achieved an awful lot in a very short period of time, but there’s still much to do and funds to raise. So if you – like us – want to put our money where our mouth is so to speak, then please lend your support by joining the ever growing £1 Crew [larger donations ARE welcome], joining the FB page or just spreading the word.

Art direction, illustration, typography & design by Non-Format for the new Magnetic Man 12″.

Look at how the light version of the typeface in the second image takes its form from the bold ‘M’ of the very bold and striking Magneto Man logo.

If you use your noddle like these guys, custom typeface design needn’t be so hard, but it sure will look hot.

One of Dubstep’s finer exponents – Benga – goes all Art-house Plus courtesy of video direction by Kristofer Ström.

BIG.

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via INX blogspot

Traffic Wardens: We can’t stand them. The Insomniax: If you don’t know them, by the time we’re finished you will do.

Crystle Clear Cinema presents A Bad Day For Benny trailor for the impending short film, featuring Insomniax band member and fully paid up theatre performer Mark Anderson. Benny’s the Warden who can never catch a break, though we can probably agree that he doesn’t deserve one.

With soundtrack by The Insomniax and a cameo by INX’s very own Doctor Sydney Velvet (that’s right), what this video hints at is a) the versatility required by the modern performer and b) the analytical / creative spontaneity of American Director Crystle Clear who discovered a phenomenon we despise and turned it into a short film we can warm to.

Sometimes if you want to create extra footfall for your brand, you’ve got to take it to the streets. Literally.

Brand Mystro has certainly figured that out, so follow him and his tape-deck roadshow, as he travels the tube from markets to the Millennium Bridge getting more than a smile or two along the way.

Genuine human to human interactivity begets viral / trailer, begets complementary blog piece. See how this marketing thing works? I know what it’s like around my way, turns out Mystro’s way is pretty similar.

It was only a matter of time: the return of the tape cassette. I’ve been waffling on about its return for some time now though I’m not one to blow my own trend-setting trumpet.

The tape release of Goldfrapp’s latest album Head First could well see the floodgates open in the near future, as other tastemaker artists / labels are do whatever it takes to create commercial viability / visibility for their physical products.

The albums is of course available in the traditional formats, but I’m sure though that Goldfrapp’s longstanding relationship with Big Active will have no doubt forced the creative issue.

What to do in an age of ever-decreasing record sales and the impending death of analogue?

Well if you’re Stones Throw, whose founding father Peanut Butter Wolf has a more than vested interest in vinyl culture, you teamed up with Serato and J Dilla Estate for the ultimate analogue digital combo.

For the uninitiated, Serato Scratch Live is a DJ software that allows DJs to use their ever growing MP3 collection while utilising the ancient art of Turntabalism ( or good old fashioned record spinning). J Dilla was a prolific Hip-Hop producer who passed away 2 years ago from Lupus, leaving a legacy of music longer than all our arms put together.

He was also a Momma’s Boy, and this set of 2 discs with six J Dilla tracks (2 sides with Serato Control Tone) and 2 donut slipmats in a package designed by Studio No.1. will be released May 10th, the day after Mother’s day.

You know Jay- Z the artist, you definitely know Jay-Z the brand, but anyone for Dan Tobin Smith the photographer? Didn’t think so, but Tobin-Smith, along with Nicola Yeoman, and Greg Burke are the trio responsible for Jay-Z’s recent album art for Blueprint 3,

At first glance you’d be excused for thinking it was some Photoshop magic, but delve a little deeper and you’ll be rewarded by work that is not just a strong concept, but an elaborate feat of production. The album’s aesthetic and concept actually owes more than a little nod to Tobin Smith’s earlier work for Athlete’s Tourist album, and uses some clever plays on perspective.

So why some keyboards in a corner you might ask. Well Dan (first name basis and all that) refers to the gathered instruments by saying: “These things are like the forgotten pieces in hip-hop…”

Did you realise that the 3 stripes were actually painted onto the instruments themselves? Me neither, but check out the behind the scenes video to appreciate the craft that goes into such a project, or for more from the horses mouth, go to itsnicethat.com, where Dan goes into great detail about the whole process.

The only question left to be asked is: Is New York really running it, or a couple of young designers from London?

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via Sleevage

Delphic – This Momentary from Delphic on Vimeo.

Stunning artwork from Indie band Delphic, by one of our favourite agencies Non-Format.

With stylish photography, well crafted typography, and die-cuts* to die for, you don’t even have to like the music to appreciate the band’s brand, though the music does have its benefits too.

Need proof? Then check out the This Momentary video, beautifully shot amidst the hardships of life in Ukraine.

*shapes cut from paper or other materials