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

| name = Rob Cantor

| image = File:Rob Cantor1.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Cantor performing with [[Tally Hall (band)|Tally Hall]] in 2006

| backgroundbirth_name = Robert Howard = solo_singerCantor

| birth_place = [[Bloomfield Hills, Michigan|Bloomfield Hills]], [[Michigan]], [[United States]]

| birth_name = Robert Howard Cantor

| alias genre = Yellow Tie{{flatlist|

* [[Alternative rock]]

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|08|26}}

* [[indie pop]]

| birth_place = [[Bloomfield Hills, Michigan]], United States

* [[comedy music|comedy]]

| genre = {{flatlist|

* [[novelty song|novelty]]

*[[Alternative rock]]

* [[indiechildren's popmusic]]

*[[comedy music|comedy]]

*[[novelty song|novelty]]

}}

| occupation = {{flatlist|

* Musician

* singer-songwriter

}}

| instrument = {{flatlist|

* Vocals

* guitar

}}

| years_active = 2002–present

| label = {{flatlist|

* Quack!Media

* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]

*Quack!Media

* [[Needlejuice Records|Needlejuice]]

*Rob Cantor Music

}}

| current_member_of = [[Tally Hall]]

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

| website = {{URL|robcantor.com}}

*[[Tally Hall]]

| birth_date = {{birthBirth date and age|1983|088|26}}

*[[Madi Diaz]]

}}

| website = {{URL|robcantor.com}}

}}

'''Robert Howard''' "'''Rob'''" '''Cantor''' (born August 26, 1983) is an American singer-songwriter and creator of multiple [[viral video]]s. He is best known as the yellow-tied vocalist and guitarist of [[indie rock]] band [[Tally Hall]].<ref name=unrated/><ref name=DO/>

'''Robert Howard''' "'''Rob'''" '''Cantor''' (born August 26, 1983) is an American singer-songwriter and creator of multiple [[viral video]]s. He is bestmostly known as the yellow-tieda vocalist, guitarist, and guitaristco-writer offor the [[indie rock]] band [[Tally Hall (band)|Tally Hall]].<ref name=unrated/><ref name=DO/>

Cantor is also known for his solo work as a [[comedy music]]ian and viral video creator, particularly from the song "Shia LaBeouf", in which actor [[Shia LaBeouf]] is depicted as a [[cannibal]]istic [[serial killer]].<ref name=time/><ref name=NYdaily/><ref name=MTV/> His other work has included a solo album titled ''Not a Trampoline'',<ref name=improper/><ref name=AD/> and another viral video, "29 Celebrity Impressions, 1 Original Song".<ref name=DM/><ref name=wrap/>

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]].<ref name=time/><ref name=NYdaily/><ref name=MTV/> His other work has included a solo album titled ''Not a Trampoline'' (2014),<ref name=improper/><ref name=AD/> and another viral video, "[[Perfect (Rob Cantor song)|29 Celebrity Impressions, 1 Original Song]]".<ref name=DM/><ref name=wrap/>

==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 | title=May 19, 2016 - Image 53 }}</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>

Cantor was born and raised in [[Bloomfield Hills, Michigan|Bloomfield Hills]], Michigan.<ref name=unrated/> He attended [[Andover High School (Michigan)|Andover High School]], where he met future [[Tally Hall]] member Zubin Sedghi and future collaborator Zach Krasman. In 2002, when attending [[University of Michigan]], he formed Tally Hall with 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 2015}}</ref>

CantorIn was born and raised in2002, [[BloomfieldRob Hills, Michigan|Bloomfield HillsCantor]], Michigan.<ref name=unrated/> He attended [[AndoverZubin HighSedghi]], Schooland (Michigan)|AndoverZach HighKrasman School]],formed wherethe heband metlistedBlack. futureThey [[Tallymade Hall]]the memberEP ZubinSongs SedghiAbout Girls, and futuredisbanded collaboratorthe Zachsame Krasmanyear. InLater in 2002, whenwhile 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 five 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>

===With Work with ミラクルミュージカル (Miracle Musical) ===

Cantor's career as a member of Tally Hall saw the release of three full-length albums: ''[[Complete Demos]]'' (2004), ''[[Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum (album)|Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum]]'' (2005), and ''[[Good & Evil (album)|Good & Evil]]'' (2011).<ref name=DO/>

In 2012, Cantor would make contributions to the musical project ミラクルミュージカル, spearheaded by Joe Hawley of Tally Hall. He performed vocals alongside Hawley for both the single "Variations on a Cloud," released on September 11, 2012, and for the track "Time Machine" from the album ''Hawaii: Part II'', released on December 12 of the same year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Larson|first=Sarah|url=https://dakotastudent.com/14002/arts-comm/hawaii-part-ii-album-review/|title=Hawaii: Part II Album Review|website=[[Dakota Student]]|date=November 9, 2020|accessdate=August 23, 2023}}</ref>

===Viral videos===

Since 2011, Cantor has worked on multiple viral projects, including songs and corresponding [[viral videos]], posted on his [[SoundCloud]] and YouTube pages. In 2012, he released the [[comedy music|comedy songs]] "[[Christian Bale]] Is at Your Party" and "[[Shia LaBeouf (song)|Shia LaBeouf]]" (also known as "Actual Cannibal Shia LaBeouf").<ref name=improper>{{cite journalmagazine|last=Paltrowitz|first=Darren|date=April 7, 2014|title=Rob Cantor Is Not A Trampoline, Even If His Career Seems Like One|journalurl=http://www.theimproper.com/music/11848/rob-cantor-trampoline-career/|magazine=The Improper|lastaccess-date=Paltrowitz|first=DarrenAugust 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806120802/http://www.theimproper.com:80/music/11848/rob-cantor-trampoline-career/ |archive-date=AprilAugust 76, 20142015 |accessurl-datestatus=August 2015dead}}</ref> In 2012, he released the [[comedy music|comedy songs]] "[[Christian Bale]] Is at Your Party" and "[[Shia LaBeouf]]" (also known as "Actual Cannibal Shia LaBeouf").<ref name=improper/> In the song "Shia LaBeouf"latter, Cantor narrates a story about the actor, [[Shia LaBeouf,]] as a [[Human cannibalism|cannibal]]istic [[serial killer]].<ref name=MTV/> Cantor posted a demo of the song to his [[SoundCloud]] page, from which it spread virally.<ref name=MTV/>

On July 1, 2014, Cantor posted a [[YouTube]] video titled "29 Celebrity Impressions, 1 Original Song", in which he and Tally Hall member Andrew 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, and in fact featuredwith 11 different impressionists.<ref name=DM>{{citedubbing journal|title=Impersonatorover Robhis Cantor who wowed YouTube viewers declares himself a fraud|journal=[[Daily Mail]] |last=Whitelocks |first=Sadie |url=http://wwwvoice.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2688814/I-single-impression-Impersonator-wowed-7-2million-YouTube-viewers-mimicking-Shakira-Frank-Sinatra-declares-fraud.html |date=July 11, 2014|access-date=August 2015}}</ref><ref name=wrap>{{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> {{asof|2015|11|df=US}}, the video has 13 million views, and the corresponding explanation video has 1.5&nbsp;million views.

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 concertperformance, 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=timeMTV>{{cite journal|title=ShiaHere's LaBeoufHow Doesn'tYou MindGet BeingShia CalledLaBeouf ain Your Cannibal Music Video|journal=[[TimeMTV (magazine)|TimeNews]]|last=WorlandFixell|first=JustinEthan|url=http://timewww.mtv.com/3537818news/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 2430, 2014|date=October 27, 2014|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref><ref name=NYdaily>{{cite journalmagazine|title=Shia LaBeouf givesDoesn't hisMind approvalBeing toCalled wackya 'cannibal' music videoCannibal|journalmagazine=[[Daily NewsTime (New Yorkmagazine)|Daily NewsTime]]|last=RamisettiWorland|first=KirthanaJustin|url=httphttps://www.nydailynewstime.com/entertainment/gossip3537818/shia-labeouf-appears-cannibal-music-video-article-1.1983818/|date=October 2224, 2014|access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref><ref name=MTVNYdaily>{{cite journal|title=Here'sShia HowLaBeouf Yougives Gethis Shiaapproval LaBeoufto inwacky Your'cannibal' Cannibalmusic Music Videovideo|journal=[[MTVDaily News (New York)|Daily News]]|last=FixellRamisetti|first=EthanKirthana|url=http://www.mtvnydailynews.com/newsentertainment/1974586gossip/shia-labeouf-appears-cannibal-robmusic-cantor/video-article-1.1983818|date=October 2722, 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>{{asofcite web |2015last=Muscarella|11first=Anne|dfurl=US}},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 theANNUAL videoWEBBY hasAWARDS overNOMINEES 28ANNOUNCED|website=[[The millionWebby views.Awards]]|date=April 7, 2015|accessdate=August 23, 2023}}</ref>

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

During Tally Hall's hiatus, Cantor has focused on his solo career, working as a commercial songwriter and eventually releasing a solo album, ''Not a Trampoline'', in 2014.<ref name=improper/><ref name=AD>{{cite interview |last=Cantor |first=Rob |interviewer=Rick Florino |title=Interview:Rob Cantor |url=httphttps://www.artistdirect.com/entertainmentrob-newscantor/articleinterviews/interview-rob-cantor/109960863471|periodical=[[Artistdirect]]|date=June 1, 2014|access-date=August 20151, 2023}}</ref> FeaturedCantor performerslater onworked thewith album[[Intel]] includein singer2016 in a promotion for True Key.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kulp|first=Patrick|url=https://mashable.com/article/intel-songwritersecurity-commercial|title=Intel tries to make online security fun with commercial full of Internet stars|website=[[Madi DiazMashable]]|date=April and12, Jhameel2016|accessdate=September 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=O'Reilly|first=Lara|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/intel-nobody-else-quite-like-you-rob-cantor-ad-2016-4|title=Intel 'Nobody Else Quite Like You' Rob Cantor Ad|website=[[Business Insider]]|date=April 13, 2016|accessdate=August 23, 2023}}</ref>

In recent years, Cantor has done work with several [[Disney Television Animation|Disney TVA]] properties – contributing his musical talents to the soundtracks of multiple shows, including [[Disney Junior]]'s ''[[T.O.T.S.]]'' and [[Disney Channel]]'s ''[[The Ghost and Molly McGee]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Palmer|first=Roger|url=https://whatsondisneyplus.com/disney-junior-orders-a-second-season-of-t-o-t-s/|title=Disney Junior Orders A Second Season of 'T.O.T.S.'|website=What's On Disney Plus|date=May 8, 2019|accessdate=August 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Zahed|first=Ramin|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2023/05/pupstruction-to-wag-its-tail-on-disney-channel-disney-jr-and-disney-in-june/|title='Pupstruction' to Wag Its Tail on Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney+ in June|website=[[Animation Magazine]]|date=May 3, 2023|accessdate=August 23, 2023}}</ref> He frequently partners with [[Genevieve Goings]] in producing Disney-affiliated nursery rhymes, lullabies, and other simple children's songs, and ''The Ghost and Molly McGee'' features one-minute Cantor originals once per each episode.<ref>{{cite web |last=Higuera|first=Diego|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/sdcc-22-the-ghost-and-molly-mcgee-panel/|title=SDCC '22: Disney haunts San Diego Comic Con with THE GHOST AND MOLLY MCGEE|website=[[Comics Beat]]|date=July 24, 2022|accessdate=August 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Betti|first=Tony|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2023/08/15/disney-junior-wonderful-world-of-songs-2/|title=Disney Junior's "The Wonderful World of Songs" To Debut August 16th|website=Laughing Place|date=August 15, 2023|accessdate=August 23, 2023}}</ref> Cantor also contributed the song "I Stand by Your Side" to the soundtrack of 2023 film ''[[River Wild]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hough|first=Quinn|url=https://vaguevisages.com/2023/08/05/river-wild-soundtrack-netflix-songs/|title=River Wild Soundtrack: Every Song in the 2023 Movie|website=Vague Visages|date=August 5, 2023|accessdate=August 27, 2023}}</ref>

==References==

In 2012, Cantor appeared on the album ''Hawaii: Part II'', released under Tally Hall member Joe Hawley's side project ミラクルミュージカル (Mirakurumyūjikaru, "Miracle Musical").

{{reflist}}

*{{Rob Cantor Music}}

==Personal life==

*[[{{Tally Hall]]}}

Cantor currently resides in [[Los Angeles]], California.<ref name=DM/>

{{authority control}}

==Discography==

===With [[Tally Hall]]===

* ''[[Complete Demos]]'' (2004)

* ''[[Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum (album)|Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum]]'' (2005)

* ''[[Good & Evil (album)|Good & Evil]]'' (2011)

===With ミラクルミュージカル===

* ''Hawaii: Part II'' (2012)

===Solo career===

* ''Not a Trampoline'' (2014)

==References==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

*{{Official website|http://robcantor.com/}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cantor, Rob}}

[[Category:198321st-century birthsAmerican comedians]]

[[Category:American21st-century maleAmerican singer-songwriters]]

[[Category:21st-century American comedymale musicianssingers]]

[[Category:American comedy musicians]]

[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:ViralSinger-songwriters videosfrom Michigan]]

[[Category:Songwriters from Michigan]]

[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]

[[Category:American comedy musicians]]

[[Category:University of Michigan alumni]]

[[Category:1983 births]]

[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]

[[Category:SongwritersComedians from Michigan]]

[[Category:American male comedians]]

[[Category:Jewish American comedians]]

[[Category:Jewish male comedians]]