What does American Apparel have in common with the New York subway system? No, this isn’t the beginning to a dirty joke (though you’re welcome to provide alternate punchlines in the comments section) – they use the same typeface to get their point across. Helvetica. To many, it’s just the option between Gill Sans and Hoefler in a scroll down menu, but to design geeks, Helvetica is god. Fresh, clean, appealing – just what we like here at GURU Energy Drink.

‘I guess it’s like jeans and a white t-shirt,’ says GURU’s own Helvetica-obsessed Artistic Director Justin Dallegret. ‘Classic, timeless, sexy and ya want to wear it all the time.’

Don’t believe him? You’re too late to see the MoMa’s exhibit, but check out the documentary Helvetica , released in 2007 just in time for the font’s 50th anniversary.

Take that, Times New Roman.

Good things may come to those who wait, but there’s nothing like getting something early!

Jay-Z‘s anticipated new album, The Blueprint 3, is available now, ahead of schedule (thanks, internet leak!) and already garnering rave reviews. The UK’s Daily Telegraph gave it four stars and said of the accomplished artist: “At 40 years old, [he] comes across as a well-rounded, sophisticated and diplomatic human being, more reliant on wit, charm and persuasive argument than all-out verbal assault.”

The first “Blueprint” album was released September 11, 2001, and Brooklyn native Jay-Z made waves last week with a 9/11 benefit show at Madison Square Garden, with appearances by artists like Rihanna and John Mayer.

Jay-Z also recently made a rare appearance on Bill Maher, who gave the rapper a gift of all his lyrics bound up in a book (aww, could it be that sharp-tongued Maher is just a big ol’ softie?).

Need more evidence that the rapper’s in line with the GURU philosophy? Jay-Z’s single “D.O.A.” has him touting the virtues of going all-natural – hey, just like GURU! – and calling the time of death on voice-distorting, robot-friendly Auto-Tune.

If you’re reading this blog, it means you’ve probably already checked out GURU’s July video feature Bonfire in Brooklyn (above) and that you’ve enjoyed the tune “Tomcat” off of Demon’s Claws album Satan’s Little Pig.

When the Montreal band isn’t making music for GURU videos, dancing around campfires naked or throwing apples backstage (this isn’t weird speculation, it’s right off of the YouTube video description), they can be found teaching kids the ins and outs of rock along with King Khan. Or at least giving them a free concert, as seen below. The video’s a bit shaky, but aren’t they just the sweetest?

It’s been a month since six GURU-approved photographers went head-to-head at the Montreal Fashion & Design Festival, grabbing volunteers off the street for impromptu fashion shoots and posting their best pics online. The people have voted, and the winner is…

…Neil Mota! Only a truly talented photographer could put someone in an apocalyptic, GURU-fueled gas mask and still make it sexy as hell.

He wins a thousand bucks, a $500 gift certificate from Astral Photo and a year’s supply of GURU Energy Drink (15 cases of 24 x 355mL cans of his choice) – a total cash value of $2200. Congrats Neil and a VERY warm thanks from the GURU team to all the participating photographers (and their willing models)!

Tracy Anderson is the personal training guru behind Madonna’s tiny dancer body on the Sweet and Sticky tour. She also works with Gwyneth, produced three DVDs showcasing her method and when she’s not on tour with a celeb, she trains several clients a day at her elite studios in Los Angeles or New York.

Tracy discovered GURU Lite while giving a workshop a gym in the Upper West Side. She called us a few weeks later, hooked, asking if we could send some product overseas for the dancing crew of the Sweet and Sticky tour. ‘GURU Lite helps me get through my longest and most grueling days when I need to train many clients in one day.  My favorite way to enjoy the benefits of GURU Lite is to drink it thirty minutes before my training.  I mix GURU Lite with coconut water to give me consistent energy and hydration throughout these days.  GURU Lite has hardly any calories at all and when mixed with coconut water it is extra refreshing,’ she stated.

This was a beginning of a great relationship with Tracy and Madonna’s team throughout the tour and leading up to the opening of a new gym in Tribeca, where our drinks are available for the healthiest dancers in New York!

Another GURU Tip from Tracy: ‘If I’m really tired, I mix GURU Lite with GURU Juicy Tangerine so that I still get all the natural energy with an extra kick of flavor.’

YUM!