The Fear

In 2007, Lily Allen was nominated for Best New Artist at the MTV VMA. Alright, Still was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 2008 Grammy Award. She recently completed recording her new album, It's Not Me, It's You.

Lily Allen - The Fear

Projekt Revolution

I finally got the Projekt Revolution concert pictures and videos from Linda. I'm so glad we decided not to go on a road trip like last year. I was so exhausted from the drive, I nodded off a few times throughout earlier parts of the concert. It was definitely a lot more chill this year, chilling in the lawn area, drinking $12 beer.

Glorious Excess

Last month, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park and Fort Minor opened the first of a two part art show, Glorious Excess (Born) at the Japanese American National Museum.

Outside from fame through the music with Linkin Park, not too many people realize that Mike Shinoda is an incredible artist. Mike went to Art Center College of Design, where he met Turntablist, Joseph Hahn. Graduating with a degree in Illustration, Mike and Joe are the minds behind the album artwork and music videos. He has also done collaborations with DC Shoes, which also features a separate video interview.



In the video, Mike explains the idea behind Glorious Excess, where the character experience different facets of celebrity rock star lifestyle. He talks about our cultural obsession with celebrity, whether it's the rise to fame and fortune or the fall from grace through drugs and scandals. Mike also talks about the style, detail and process behind each piece.

The second part of his exhibit will open in January. You can still purchase some of the limited artwork on his website.

Loose

While Nas was getting ready to hit the Main Stage at Rock The Bells concert, Amanda Blank was getting my attention at the small stage just outside with her incredible flow.

Spank Rock and Benny Blanco feat. Amanda Blank - Loose

Rock the Bells

Dinner plans fell through so we swung by Rock The Bells concert at Shoreline. Caught the Nas and part of A Tribe Called Quest act before heading out to the city. Gotta thank Kim and DJ Scratch for hooking it up with free tickets at last minute.

DJ Scratch is one of the most recognized & respected exhibition, tour & club DJs in the world. Shortly after winning the New Music Seminar Battle for World Supremacy DJ Championship in 1988, he joined the RUN DMC “Run's House World Tour.” The late Jam Master Jay mentored Scratch & converted him from a raw battle DJ to an all around performer & showman. In exchange, Scratch taught Jam Master Jay DJ solos that he performed in RUN DMC shows ever since. When the tour ended, Jam Master Jay recommended Scratch to EPMD, who needed a DJ with flair. After EPMD witnessed the DJ phenomenon do tricks at their first show, they hired Scratch on the spot.



Since then, Scratch has gone on to work with Jay Z, Diddy and helped produce albums for Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, 50 Cent, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Q-tip and more, including 3 Grammy nominations and over 40 Gold and Platinum Awards to his credit. He is currently DJing for A Tribe Called Quest during the Rock The Bells Tour.

Disintegrate

Originally signed with Roc-A-Fella Records, nineteen year old Young Steff is now signed with Atlantic Records. His debut album is expected to be due out later this year.

Young Steff - Disintegrate

Gumball 3000 Part Deux

Yesterday was the official launch of the Gumball 3000 Rally. People packed in along the streets of the Fairmont Hotel, climbing on flowerbeds, street lamp posts or whatever they can to try and catch a glimpse of celebrities and some of the most exotic cars in the world. Some of the celebrities taking part in this year's event includes Rob Dydrek, Travis Barker, Jermaine Dupri, John Mayer, Bucky Lasek, Orlando Jones and Bam Margera.



Tyson Beckford hanging out in front of the right-hand drive PUMA Range Rover with Alfonso Ribeiro, aka Carlton from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Tyson Beckford is part of the official PUMA Rally Team.





Robby Abaya (360 Video Magazine) showing Jay Huggins (5&A Dime) some video footage. Jay, along with Alyasha Owerka-Moore (Fiberops/Alphanumeric) and Mike Alonzo (Fiberops/Irons) will be going across the world with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X topped with a matching SE OM-Flyer BMX bike.

















KITT, the original 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am from Knight Rider TV series driven by none other than David Hasselhoff himself. Don't hassel the hoff.







Remember Eleanor? "Memphis' unicorn...you know; the horse with the horn, impossible to capture. It's the one car no matter how many times you try to boost, something always happens." Yeah, her. The 1967 Shelby Mustang GT 500 from Gone in 60 Seconds.



Unfortunately, I was pressed for time. I had to leave for the Projekt Revolution concert before the rally was set to begin. Luckily, Dustin Ross is taking a bunch of pictures along the way, including pictures from Friday's launch party at Temple. Check out pumagumball.com.

Gumball 3000

The Gumball 3000 is an around the world 3,000 mile eight-day motorsport rally, featuring the most amazing cars driven by film stars, musicians, athletes, billionaires and motorsport enthusiasts. Kicking off in San Francisco, the Gumball 3000 will take its 3,000 mile route through Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas. Upon reaching Las Vegas, the 120 cars and participating drivers will be flown to Pyongyang, North Korea, then flown to Hangzhou, China, where they will pick up the rally and continue to Shanghai and Xuzhou and the final destination of Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on Saturday, August 16.

Gumball 3000 doesn't officially start until tomorrow, but some of the cars gathered in front of the Fairmont Hotel in Nob Hill before the launch party at Temple. I stopped by to take a peek.



PUMA is this year's official sponsor. As the official sponsor, all of the 120 Gumball 3000 cars will be branded with the official PUMA Gumball Sticker Kit and each driver will receive an exclusive PUMA Gumball T-shirt and Special Edition Speed Cat.

PUMA will have their very own car as part of the Rally, capturing video and photos along the way. The PUMA Mobile Unit is all set and stock full of Gumball gear.













I had to skip the launch party at Temple because I had to take care of some stuff.

Beijing Summer Olympics

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing started today in what might be the biggest celebration in history. The opening ceremony was spectacular. Here are some pictures of the Bird's Nest stadium and the Water Cube aquatic center during the opening ceremony.













Photos by the Associated Press

Johnny Cupcakes Grand Opening

Yesterday was the grand opening of Johnny Cupcakes on Melrose. Hundreds of eager fans lined up anticipating the opening of the tricked out new store. Remember the process? The line started 4 days before the store opened.

At approximately 3PM, two men, looking like the Super Mario Brothers, drove up to the front of the store in a Johnny Cupcakes truck. In the back was a giant mysterious crate. What can be inside?!









It's none other than Johnny Cupcakes himself. Talk about making an entrance. Check out the commotion that Johnny caused.









More pictures on The Hundreds blog. Congrats Johnny, on the new store.