Branding In Hip-Hop
I have created this blog as a way to show the relationship between branding and hip-hop. Branding is more than just a name and logo. A brand has a culture and a background. They symbolize an idea. Rappers, using heavy metaphors, use brands as a way to creatively express their ideas and overall messages.
I've been obsessed with hip-hop since I was 6. Figured I would create something related to it while utilizing my media/advertising background. So enjoy the product placement!
*I do not own any of these images
Jay-Z - Run This Town
Fuck the other side, they jealous/ We got a banquette full of broads/ They got a table full of fellas (ewwwww) / And they ain’t spending no cake/ They should throw they hand in/ ’Cause they ain’t got no spades (iiiilll)
Jay-Z is in the club with Kanye, Rihanna, J. Cole, Rita Ora, etc. They are all in the club hanging out at the table. They have a table full of broads that are enjoying themselves, whereas the haters in the same club are criticizing their team for the wealth and status they have. Interestingly, the table full of haters is only filled with males. Ill. They might as well just give up. Not only are they not spending any money, but they aren’t even drinking Ace of Spades like Jay-Z and his team is. Ace of Spades is Jay-Z’s own liquor. Jay endorsed it after Crystal owner criticized rap music. Ace of Spades is the new status symbol for liquor drinkers, and if you don’t got it and you are jealous of those who do, throw your hand in.
Ace of Spades has had quite a following, with rappers shouting out the brand and requesting it at bars. It is quite the luxury liquor, and if you can afford it you will be sure to be the life of the party.
A$AP Rocky - Goldie
Cristal go by the cases, wait hold up that was racist/ I would prefer the Aces, ain’t no different when you taste it/ A 40 ounce to chase it, that’s just an understatement
Frederic Rouzaud, Louis Roederer managing director, publicly decried the relationship between hip-hop music and Cristal. Considering rappers were one major factor in the huge sales and popularity of the champagne, it was definitely a huge insult and blow when he stated this. Maybe he isn’t a racist, but it is hard ot really understand why they wouldn’t want the hip-hop relationship to continue. Even if you don’t like rap music, you still want business right? Anyways, A$ap Rocky mentions that he drinks Cristal but does prefer the Ace of Spades, made popular by Jay-Z, a strong critic of Rouzaud and his comments. A$ap admits that it has nothing to do with the taste, but rather the “racist” comments made by Rouzaud as the reason he purchases Aces. So there is one sale lost because of comments made 6 years ago. However, regardless of what he buys, the classic 40 oz. will always be at hand to chase down any beverage. Classy A$ap.
Maybe Rouzaud may not think anything of it, but his comments in 2006 were classic PR mishaps. DON’T criticize a huge market base just because you don’t agree with their music or culture or whatever (unless it is seriously out of touch with your image, which in this case it wasn’t). Have some cultural understanding and appreciation of your different customers and be open to many different markets you can attract. Otherwise, you will lose customers like Jay-Z and A$ap Rocky, as well as the fans that listen and idolize them.
