Imagine a world where you could personalize your live audio environment; you are on a train and the crying baby next to you is deafening or you are walking through the city and the hustle and bustle is too distracting, with Here Active Listening you can adjust these sounds for a pleasing, enhanced audio environment. "Use two wireless, in-ear buds and a smartphone app to control what you hear and how you hear it," says the product's description. Here is essentially the first development in "hearable" technology, because it allows users to control real world volume and mix their world with the live music equalizer, reduce the reverb at a concert or crank the bass at a violin recital. The developing team, Doppler Labs, also includes preset filters that combine volume, EQ, and effects to elevate the audio environment, such as "Hendrix" for a rock 'n' roll vibe. See the product in action in the video below, and note Here Active Listening is simply a prototype now, but you can move the project along by backing its KickStarter campaign here.
Kamili - Sustainable Art Exhibition by Amani Davis and Hannibal Hopson /
"People from Pittsburgh love to talk about how they are from Pittsburgh," says any non-native who has interacted with the prideful bunch. Calling Pittsburgh home is acknowledging the city's importance; Pittsburghers point to steel production, Heinz Ketchup, popular figures, sport culture, its key position as Gateway to the West, and neighborhoods. This pride carries local artists Amani Davis and Hannibal Hopson in their sustainable art exhibition titled Kamili.
Both Amani and Hannibal hail from Pittsburgh's Highland Park-Point Breeze-Squirrel Hill region and have seen the area go through changes over a sixteen-year period of growing up there. The pair notes how gentrification results in new housing developments, new businesses, and new families who are unaware or forget the history and culture already instilled in the neighborhood. Kamili counteracts the process as Amani and Hannibal's exhibition celebrates past memories and attachment to their community. Using wood as their medium, the artists paint and draw on pieces people threw out on the street and scrap from demolition projects, repurposing their forgotten world. Amani voiced, "This is about my street," evoking a sense of empathy with his neighbors who have come and gone. Change is what inspires Kamili--Swahili for concrete, complete, or perfect. With city life change of landscape and people is constant, to which Amani appropriately states, "When neighborhoods flip people forget shit." Kamili pays homage to remembrance, while acknowledging nothing ever stays the same.
On June 11, 2015 InTheRough met with Amani Davis and Hannibal Hopson at their studio to talk about their upcoming exhibition. The conversation, and accompanying visuals, dealing with art, Pittsburgh society, hip hop, and their movement will be available here July 3. See Kamili for yourself July 2-3, 2015 at PointBreezeway, 6 to 9pm EST.
PointBreezeway
7113 Reynolds St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Kehlani x Mr. Carmack - All In #songsfromscratch /
Oakland, California's golden girl, Kehlani Parrish continues her wave of influence with a new song. This time around the 20 year-old, fresh off a record deal with Atlantic on May 6th sparked by success from her You Should Be Here album, partners with friend and Soulection-linked producer Mr. Carmack for a song called "All In"-- part of the original series Songs From Scratch by lifestyle music blog Yours Truly and adidas originals. The pair draws on shared dating troubles to inspire their song, as Kehlani reveals in the track's accompanying interview, "in relationships there's like no in between. Its either all in or nothing," a valuable lesson because no success comes without 100% effort. "All In" provides a perfect example of artists effortlessly using life experience to drive a relevant creative commentary. Enjoy visuals and the music from Kehlani and Mr. Carmack's studio session below.
Russell Westbrook Covers NBA Live 16 /
In the spirit of basketball, Russell Westbrook has been named the cover athlete for the video game NBA Live 16. Last night KicksOnFire.com posed a question to its Instagram in response to the news, "Will this persuade you to buy the game?" After NBA Live 10 EA Sports placed the game on a four-year hiatus due to overwhelming success by rival NBA 2K from 2K Sports. Moves like making Jay Z and LeBron James executive producers of 2K13 and 2K14 gave the game preference over the Live version. Curated playlists, player input, and keen attention to basketball culture bolstered 2K14 to the best-selling sports video game on next-generation consoles (Xbox One and Playstation 4) and five to seven million copies sold worldwide. However, NBA Live 14, 15, and now 16 have EA Sports poised for a comeback in NBA video game series. The addition of Russell Westbrook to 16's cover will entice gamers to buy Live over 2K thanks to Westbrook's dominance this season. Sport games are popular because they allow users to emulate and imagine otherworldly athletic talent that amazes us on playing fields. Consumers will see Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, James Harden, and director-producer Spike Lee representing NBA 2K16 and think dramatic storyline. Meanwhile, NBA Live 16 will be more attractive as Russell Westbrook represents ferocity and intensity. After all the Point guard recorded 11 triple-doubles--seven more than the any other player, almost willed his team to the playoffs without help from teammate Kevin Durant, and showed supremacy with an MVP performance in this year's All-Star Game. His speed-strength combo makes him a runaway train any gamer would love to ride to an NBA title, and updated graphics from NBA Live makes the experience all the more real. So, to answer KOF's question, yes Russell Westbrook's NBA Live 16 cover will persuade you to buy the game.
Travi$ Scott featuring Future and 2 Chainz- 3500 /
Travi$ Scott's Days Before Rodeo mixtape provided the Houston rapper with hype, an established sound, and a riveting tour experience. Now, he builds off its success with his upcoming album, Rodeo, a clear compliment to DBR. Scott promotes the album today releasing the first single called "3500". The new track is inspired by a headline tagged, "Did Kim Kardashian spend $3,500 on fur coat for North West?" Future and 2 Chainz join La Flame in bars about their extravagant lifestyle, while Metro Boomin, Mike Dean, and Zaytoven handle production work. Stay tuned to ITR for more news on Travi$ Scott's Rodeo LP.