Rob Cantor: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|American singer-songwriter (born 1983)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}}

{{Infobox musical artist

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'''Robert Howard Cantor''' (born August 26, 1983) is an American singer-songwriter and creator of multiple [[viral video]]s. He is mostly known as a vocalist, guitarist, and co-writer for the indie rock band [[Tally Hall (band)|Tally Hall]] and sometimes referred to as "Yellow Tie" by some fans.

In addition, Cantor is also known for his solo work as a [[comedy music]]ian and viral video creator, particularly from the viral comedy song "[[Shia LaBeouf (song)|Shia LaBeouf]]", in which actor [[Shia LaBeouf]] is depicted as a [[Human cannibalism|cannibal]]istic [[serial killer]]. His other work has included a solo album titled ''Not a Trampoline'' (2014), and another viral video, "[[Perfect (Rob Cantor song)|29 Celebrity Impressions, 1 Original Song]]".

==Early life==

Cantor was born and raised in [[Bloomfield Hills, Michigan|Bloomfield Hills]], Michigan, the son of David and Cathy Cantor.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2016.05.19.001/53 {{Bare URL inline|date title=AugustMay 19, 2016 - Image 53 2024}}</ref><ref name=unrated/> His father is an [[OB-GYN]]. Cantor is [[Jewish people|Jewish]]; he had his [[bar mitzvah]] at [[Temple Israel (West Bloomfield, Michigan)|Temple Israel]] in [[West Bloomfield Township, Michigan|West Bloomfield Township]], Michigan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chessler |first1=Suzanne |title=Building Buzz: Ann Arbor–based band Tally Hall boasts a debut CD, a national tour and three Jewish members |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2006.01.05.001/85 |access-date=13 June 2023 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=2006-01-05 |pages=45, 49 |language=en |via=[[University of Michigan]]}}</ref>

LaterIn 2002, [[Rob Cantor]], [[Zubin Sedghi]], and Zach Krasman formed the band listedBlack. They made the EP Songs About Girls, and disbanded the same year. Later in 2002, while attending [[University of Michigan]], he formed [[Tally Hall]] with bassist Zubin Sedghi and musician Andrew Horowitz. He majored in [[molecular biology]], with a minor in nonprofessional music. He graduated in 2005, and turned down a full scholarship to [[medical school]] in order to pursue music full-time with Tally Hall.<ref name=unrated>{{cite journal|title=Tally Hall: Welcome To Tally Hall|journal=Unrated Magazine|last=Lax|first=Rick|url=http://www.unratedmagazine.com/Document.cfm?Page=Features/index.cfm&Article_ID=245|access-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604010935/http://www.unratedmagazine.com/Document.cfm?Page=Features/index.cfm&Article_ID=245|archive-date=June 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Career==

===Tally Hall===

Between 2002 and 2011, Cantor performed as a guitarist and vocalist of the [[Michigan]]-based band [[Tally Hall (band)|Tally Hall]]. As of August 2025, Tally Hall is currently on hiatus. The band's sixfive members are distinguished by the color of their neckties, with Cantor's signature color being yellow.<ref name=DO>{{cite interview|last=Cantor |first=Rob |interviewer=Darryl Smyers |title=Tally Hall's Rob Cantor Estimates That His Band's Cult Following Counts 200 Billion Fans|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/tally-halls-rob-cantor-estimates-that-his-bands-cult-following-counts-200-billion-fans-7055694|periodical=[[Dallas Observer]]|date=August 4, 2011|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref>

Cantor's career as a member of Tally Hall saw the release of two full-length albums: ''[[Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum (album)|Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum]]'' (2005), and ''[[Good & Evil (album)|Good & Evil]]'' (2011). The band also released one full demo album, titled ''[[Complete Demos]]'' (2004).<ref name=DO/> "[[The Bidding]]", which Cantor co-provided lead vocals for, was [[RIAA certification|certified gold]] by the [[RIAA]] on July 12, 2023, along with the band's song "[[Hidden in the Sand]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Tally+Hall|title=American single certifications – Tally Hall – The Bidding|website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]|accessdate=August 23, 2023}}</ref>

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On July 1, 2014, Cantor posted a [[YouTube]] video titled "29 Celebrity Impressions, 1 Original Song", in which he and Horowitz performed Cantor's song "[[Perfect (Rob Cantor song)|Perfect]]" in 29 different celebrity [[Impressionist (entertainment)|impressions]]. A week later, he released a [[making-of]] video, demonstrating that the act was a [[hoax]] done through audio and video editing with 11 different impressionists dubbing over his voice.<ref>{{cite journal|title=29 Celebrity Impressions Music Video Was a Hoax; Singer Reveals 'Making Of' Video|journal=[[TheWrap]]|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|url=http://www.thewrap.com/29-celebrity-impressions-music-video-was-a-hoax-singer-reveals-making-of-video/|date=July 9, 2014|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref>

On October 21, 2014, Cantor posted a video titled "'Shia LaBeouf' – Live", the music video to his 2012 song of the same name. The video is a mockup of a live performance, featuring numerous dancers and performers, primarily the [[Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles]], the West Los Angeles Children's Choir, and the Argus Quartet. At the end of the video, the actor Shia LaBeouf is seen applauding the performance, in a parody of a scene from ''[[Citizen Kane]]''.<ref name=MTV>{{cite journal|title=Here's How You Get Shia LaBeouf in Your Cannibal Music Video|journal=[[MTV News]]|last=Fixell|first=Ethan|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1974586/shia-labeouf-cannibal-rob-cantor/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030100602/http://www.mtv.com/news/1974586/shia-labeouf-cannibal-rob-cantor/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2014|date=October 27, 2014|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Shia LaBeouf Doesn't Mind Being Called a Cannibal|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|last=Worland|first=Justin|url=httphttps://time.com/3537818/shia-labeouf-cannibal/|date=October 24, 2014|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref><ref name=NYdaily>{{cite journal|title=Shia LaBeouf gives his approval to wacky 'cannibal' music video|journal=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|last=Ramisetti|first=Kirthana|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/shia-labeouf-appears-cannibal-music-video-article-1.1983818|date=October 22, 2014|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref> Cantor has stated that the video took four months to organize and one day to shoot, and that it was worked on by 161 people, including Cantor's former musical collaborators Zubin Sedghi, Bora Karaca and Zach Krasman.<ref name=NYdaily/> The video was [[nominated]] for best "Individual Short or Episode (Online Film & Video)" at the 19th Annual [[Webby Awards]] and won.<ref>{{cite web |last=Muscarella|first=Anne|url=https://www.webbyawards.com/press/press-releases/vice-jimmy-fallon-oscar-selfie-like-a-girl-campaign-tinder-vine-michelle-phan-tyler-oakley-spotify-refinery-29-product-hunt-hbo-go-and-more-unveiled-as-19th-annual-webby-award-nominees/|title=19TH ANNUAL WEBBY AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED|website=[[The Webby Awards]]|date=April 7, 2015|accessdate=August 23, 2023}}</ref>

===''Not a Trampoline'' and other work===

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[[Category:American male comedians]]

[[Category:Jewish American comedians]]

[[Category:Jewish male comedians]]