1. Find a current commercial in which a hip-hop artist advertises a product. Discuss the video as it relates to the role of marketing and advertising in the artist’s career. Make sure you provide examples to argue the thesis that hip-hop artists have (or have not) blurred the line between music and merchandise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0tgheca5HM
This video is 50 Cent promoting his line of vitamin water. He purchased it right after selling over 12 million albums and right before the release of his second studio album that eventually sold 10 million copies worldwide. He was one of the biggest rappers at the time and if he drank it why wouldn't everyone else. In the commercial it shows him drinking Formula 50 Vitamin Water then conducting an orchestra. Why wouldn't a brand want to get a person who just sold 12 million albums worldwide? He is obviously known and liked so people will want to buy anything associated with him. I don't think hip-hop is more open to identifying itself with brands. I do think that rappers are more commonly know because they are in the news more than rock artists. They try and promote themselves more which leads companies to give them money to promote their item. I believe this was already said but it is all about making money.
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I don't know if hip-hop artists being in the news more means they endorse more products. But,I agree they do have the tendency to glamorize money more than any other type of artist.
ReplyDeleteI reread it and I think I should have said that they try to put themselves in the news more. They want the publicity and they start "beefs" with other rappers to get there name out. Even if you are not a fan of rap you probably hear about them in the news and know who they are. All I was trying to say is I think they are known more which would get them more endorsements.
ReplyDeleteeveryone thats famous will always do advertising for money its just another way to further aid their retirement fund...
ReplyDeleteI can not agree more with your closing statement Zach. It is akk about the money and the main reason behind rap and hip hop artist doing this is because that is number one in their life. Rock artist and country artist actually car about their music and their fans so maybe instead of doing commercials their writting real music.
ReplyDeleteYou generated a lot of conversation on that post, Zach. It was weird you chose the same commercial as another of your peers.
ReplyDelete50 cent is one of the biggest icons out there, it was good you choose him because it will start a good argument.
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