!

There’s vulgarity for virality’s sake, and there’s virality for virtual sake. According to Ms. Arianna Huff, going viral has gone viral and we’re losing our minds because of it. But The Connects, an LA-based creative clan, lost their minds a long time ago, and the result is unadulterated, uncomplicated (yet completely complicated) cultural commentary through artful entertainment, which will take you all the way down to YouTube town.

Now I like to think of me-self as a lady, but even a lady can enjoy a filthy farce. When first confronted with this band of broheims, I completely ignored them. In fact, I Facebook message stiffed ‘em (sorry about that boys). But behind their shocking shenanigans, is serious talent, originality and drive (ok, and a lot of boobs) — a trifecta that’s hard to resist.

Dylan Trussell and David Dinetz hooked-up (er, uh) connected as Film Majors at University of Boulder Colorado (what idiot teacher gave them an A+ on this? Yeah, STOKED I busted my ass at Tisch) and formed a creative collective in 2 parts:

One Part: Production Company, Heart For An Eye (aw, see! They do have souls!); their work runs the gamut - a documentary for Universal Music here, a promotional video for Krug Champagne there. Their photographs have been featured in Town & Country and W Magazine, which is impressive… But they crashed Quentin Tarantino’s office to ask him his opinion of their Christmas Video, way more impressive. 

Two Part: Self proclaimed Siegfried & Roy of Hip Hop, The Connects made of Mr. Dan and D-Truss (aka Dyl.I.Am and PremaDana, I can’t believe I just wrote that), with Mr Dinetz leading the creative charge. Shooting, directing, producing, performing, rapping, dancing, editing, scripting, financing… who knows what else-ing. They do it all, like a Hip Hop’a Mockery, three-man pony show - with record wit and skill. 

But more than just their scrappy, Lost Boys work ethic, The Connects have a unique sound that blends 80’s pop, electro-funk, and hip-hop. Add hard drums, deep bass and social commentary that highlights the complexities of the post college dropout, the born-again young professional, or the stay-at-home “real estate” agent. The irony is, they never really tried to do what they’re doing. These masterminds have the Holy Grail (and I do not mean the string-bikini-clad strippers in their videos): heart, humor and honesty.

The Connects speak directly to and about a generation yearning for smart, savvy relief; their ability to pull productions out of thin air speaks directly to and about a generation of unconventional entrepreneurs. You won’t want to believe me (oh, believe me) but tune in to their channel and I dare you disagree. Finding substance in substance abuse —- take that back to the virality-uber-alles age. 

R

oundup of my favorite things this week… follow it, don’t judge it.

Photographer. @Joao Canziani. 
He captured my attention on the pages of Travel & Leisure with transporting photos from Manaus to Manhattan. His photos are emotional, poignant, beautiful and well, sexy. But I guess that’s not surprising …. he’s Peruvian by birth, Canadian by bred and a womanizer by fate. Inspired by Helmut Newton and Nadav Kander, named as one of PDN’s 30 Young Photographers to Watch and on my “let’s grab a drink” list, Canziani’s got his lens pointed in the right direction. Oh, and he tumblrs. Dreamy. 

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After seven long years, India’s richest man (Oh hey, namaste) can finally enjoy his new, 27-story home in Mumbai, India. It’s really a humble abode - with only three helipads and a very necessary air-traffic control station on the roof. 

Here are the facts: the 570-foot tall home has a swimming pool, salon, health club, garage (for his minimal 160 cars), lobby, nine elevators, full-size ballroom and 50-seat cinema. It’s larger than the Palace of Versailles at 173 meters high with 37,000 square meters of floor space.

In 2005 wife Nita Ambani was inspired by the modern-Asian interior at Mandarin Oriental in New York City. 

Named after a mythical island in the Atlantic, Antilla is in fact the world’s most expensive home to date. But seriously, don’t judge. Antilla boasts a staff of 600 people! Doesn’t job opportunity count for something?