THE PLUG W/ JUSTIN JAY

Cey Adams is a New York City-based painter, designer, and the founding Creative Director of Def Jam Recordings. Emerging from the downtown graffiti scene alongside iconic artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, Adams began his career tagging subway cars and creating graffiti murals. Immersed in the vibrant art and music culture of the era, he connected with The Beastie Boys, collaborating with them to design their first logo, t-shirts, and singles. Around the same time, he began working with music producer Russell Simmons at RUSH Artist Management, where he created logos and merchandise for their roster of artists. This led to his tenure with Simmons and Rick Rubin at Def Jam, where Adams designed some of the most iconic album covers of hip-hop's golden era, including works for Public Enemy, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Slick Rick, and many others. As a highly respected designer and painter, Adams has collaborated with global brands such as Levi’s, Mattel, The Recording Academy, Apple, Bacardi, IDEO, Foot Locker, Converse, YouTube, and Google. In 2019, Pabst Brewing Company commissioned Adams to reimagine their iconic Pabst Blue Ribbon logo, resulting in a design featured on 150 million cans distributed nationwide. In this episode, we delve into the dynamics of collaborating with marketing departments, artists, and photographers during his time at Def Jam. Adams shares his perspective on why he considers The Beastie Boys one of the most influential, creative, and self-driven groups of their era. We also explore the power of branding, the significance of logos, and the tension between art and commerce when a downtown DIY ethos collides with corporate culture. Tune in for a conversation with this trailblazing artist who helped shape the visual identity of hip-hop. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected] https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay: https://www.hi1k.com/ The Plug Logo and Branding by Italic Studio: https://italic-studio.com/studio/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arto Saari is a Finnish professional skateboarder and photographer. He is one of only two Europeans to ever win Thrasher Magazine’s prestigious Skater of the Year award, and he's one of the most respected and influential skaters of his generation. Arto built his legacy through groundbreaking video parts and endured numerous brutal injuries along the way. Eventually, he transitioned from professional skating to pursue his passion for photography. His recently released book, Bike Path, intimately captures the vibrant culture and community of Hawaii’s North Shore. In this episode, we dive into the contrasts between skateboarding and surfing culture, we dig into the complex interplay of pain, injury, substance abuse, and addictive personalities in skateboarding, and we discuss the challenging path many pro skaters face as they navigate life beyond their skating careers Bike Path by Arto Saari: https://www.artosaari.com/bikepath-book HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay: https://www.hi1k.com/ Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected] https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Election Week Special Encore Episode - In a media landscape often clouded by misinformation, spin, and opinion posing as news, celebrating those with a large platform who are committed to speaking truth to power is more important than ever. Roy Wood Jr. is a stand-up comedian and the host of CNN’s Have I Got News for You. He regularly appears on The Daily Show, has hosted the prestigious White House Correspondents' Dinner, and has earned critical acclaim for his numerous stand-up specials. Throughout his career, he’s boldly addressed sensitive issues around race and social class. His Comedy Central special Imperfect Messenger is a masterclass in using comedy not just to entertain but to unify and spark meaningful conversation. In this episode, we discuss the challenges of critiquing the Black community, his commitment to pulling no punches when performing in front of powerful politicians, and why he sees Jack Bauer from 24 as the perfect metaphor for navigating the entertainment industry. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: [email protected] https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luxxury is a music producer and the co-host of the richly informative One Song podcast. Each week they take a deep dive into a single classic song, and explore the inspirations and specific production techniques that make the track unique. By playing rare, isolated vocal and instrumental stems, they give listeners the chance to rediscover familiar songs, revealing details and textures often hidden in the full mix. So what is the difference between sampling, interpolation, and outright plagiarism? Why is the Jamaican concept of copyright, creatively and the ownership of music almost completely opposite of the way we think of it in the US?  Why is it now legally risky to use the overall vibe and arrangements of a Marvin Gaye track as inspiration for your own song? We’ll find out as we sit down for a chat with someone who blends technology with his passion for music history to shed new light on your favorite songs.  Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected]. https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices