This is the best low-budget music video ever and has sparked new inspiration for the Synthesis low-budget film series that, for now, we’re calling Manchild Drink Beer… kind of like Aqua Teen Hunger Force. WTF is up with that? No matter, things are about to get a whole lot more nekkid around here. I dunno if our Videomatt can handle editing something like this…

Yup, that’s Dizzee Rascal you hear, along with David Byrne. Brighton Port Authority is the British band better known as BPA. And I heard Fatboy Slim directed this. Now you know.

Our friends over at Def Jux have themselves a fancy new website and web store, which launched today. Check out the press release below or just go lurk it for yourself here:

True to its pioneering nature, independent hip hop powerhouse Definitive Jux is relaunching its groundbreaking website and webstore, definitivejux.net, aka The Pharmacy, aka djRx, on June 2nd, 2008. In 2006, it became the first music website to offer simultaneous purchase of digital and physical merchandise in one shopping cart, and definitivejux.net’s continued cutting edge approach has helped carve the path to the future of fan-based online music retailing. It has now become a major part of the label’s platform to promote, market and sell a variety of offerings from the Def Jux roster, including Aesop Rock, El-P, Del the Funky Homosapien, Dizzee Rascal, Cage, and Mr. Lif. The site will be serving up a consistent flow of new content, both free and commercial, including exclusive material, live performance video and audio clips, images, ringtones, and more.

The site relaunch will feature brand new releases and several djRx exclusives. The fans have spoken and Def Jux has listened by posting Aesop Rock’s None Shall Pass Instrumentals & Accapellas, new videos by Dizzee Rascal and Hangar 18, live performances by El-P, and more. Upcoming releases will surface each week and slated first is an EP and video by The Mighty Underdogs (Gift of Gab & Lateef), a Del The Funky Homosapien remix by Aesop Rock, El-P instrumentals, brand new music by Mr. Lif, Dizzee Rascal, Cage, Rob Sonic, Chin Chin and more.

Not only is the site’s new design pleasing to the eye, but countless hours have been spent making sure each visit is as unique and user-friendly as ever. The company’s aim is to give fans a simple yet fulfilling experience while discovering and purchasing new music and merchandise from the Def Jux universe.

The store will also relaunch with fresh & exclusive merchandise items, featuring a design partnership with long-time Def Jux ally and super-legendary graffiti writer Phase2, originator of the ‘wild style’ technique. The debut of the DJX branded sneaker line will feature an original and custom Phase2 design, who also blesses the cover of the new Def Jux artist sketchbook. Additionally, new versions of classic Def Jux merch will be available as well as new designs, plus traditional bestsellers like hoodies and belt buckles. A line of branded download cards will also be introduced, allowing fans to download a bundle of special content, including audio, video and image files. These cards will be available with purchases of $25 dollars and above.

On the social media side, Definitivejux.net will be partnering with social music site Fairtilizer.com for a “Greatest Hits” fan competition, using Fairtilizer’s revolutionary music player. Fans will be able to create, submit, embed and vote for their favorite playlists, with the winning playlist pressed up on special edition vinyl by Def Jux, and the top vote getters receiving an assortment of special gifts and prizes. Details of the contest will be announced on the Def Jux and Fairtilizer websites in late June.

For the first time in its history, definitivejux.net will offer advertising opportunities for select brands to reach what has organically become a considerable online niche community, resulting in over 1 million page views per month with no concerted marketing.

The 2008 Pitchfork Music Festival lineup is looking pretty damn good:

SATURDAY, JULY 19
Animal Collective
Jarvis Cocker
The Hold Steady
!!!
Vampire Weekend
No Age
Atlas Sound
Dizzee Rascal
Extra Golden
Fleet Foxes
Elf Power
Caribou
Ruby Suns
Fuck Buttons
Jay Reatard
Icy Demons
A Hawk and a Hacksaw
Boban Markovic Orkestar
Titus Andronicus

(more…)

Fresh from tearing it up at SXSW, Dizzee Rascal will head on the road with El-P for a string of major city dates in the US (and one stop in Canada). Dizzee Rascal’s new album, Maths + English is due out April 24th on Def Jux.

May 8 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
May 9 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
May 10 New York, NY - Webster Hall
May 11 Boston, MA - Middle East
May 12 Ottawa, Ontario - New Capital Music Hall

May 14 Detroit, MI - Crofoot Ballroom
May 15 Chicago, IL - The Abbey
May 16 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Club
May 19 Seattle, WA - Neumos
May 20 Portland, OR - Berbati’s Pan

May 21 San Francisco, CA - 1015
May 22 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey

Dizzee Rascal played a Friday afternoon set to a packed house at the Bat Bar (which is actually inside the convention center - which also confused the hell out of me since I thought it was an actual bar). An expanded US release of Maths + English is coming out in April from Def Jux.