The future is now. Don't believe me? For one, charity no longer involves just putting a dollar in a box to help feed hungry children in a far-off land. These days, you can buy a compilation online containing the hugest dance music hits of the year and, while you fist-pump in your kitchen like a loon, proceeds from your sale will be helping the Global Fund to stop the spread of AIDS in Africa. If that isn't mad futuristic then put a pirate hat on me and call me Peggy.While (RED) puts the finishing touches on its DANCE (RED) compilation for December 1, they're also using the magic of the internet to help design thangs. NYC graffiti legend Futura—who has designed work for The Clash, the Mo' Wax label, and clothing company A Bathing Ape—used the magic of cloud computing (in this case, Adobe Creative Cloud) to collaborate on a record cover for DANCE (RED) SAVES LIVES alongside up-and-coming German illustrator Ramona Ring, whom he plucked out of relative obscurity in Hamburg. If they're lucky, said record that will storm the iTunes dance charts like it did last year—in December 2012, the Tiesto-presented DANCE (RED) was #1 in 33 countries at the same damn time.
Futura himself had some pretty sick mentors growing up, including The Clash's Joe Strummer ("He was like an older brother but also a dad") and Keith Haring. At the age of 58, the Daft Punk-and-Drake loving hall-of-famer is super into supporting young designers. "We are trying to eradicate AIDS but also supporting young artists at the same time," he says of the (RED) program. "I can only lend a little bit support but I am totally willing to do that. There's no pressure, just some of my involvement and creativity. Young people are looking for acceptance, attention, and recognition, but a lot of the time, it's not there… and people to get a little bit down about that. When you're young, you have to pursue what you hear inside your head."You'll soon be able to see (and hear) this whole thing come to life right on your personal computer, but if you're interested in more on the project then listen up here.
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