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
This week on Rap Genius….Big KRIT releases his debut album, an unreleased Drake/Chris Brown come out and Justin Beiber remixes his single with some rap friends.
Big KRIT – Live From The Underground Lyrics
Blu – Kiss the Sky Lyrics
Busta Rhymes – King Tut Lyrics
Childish Gambino – Tell Me Lyrics
Childish Gambino – Black Faces Lyrics
Drake – Yamaha Mama Lyrics
Fat Joe – Pride N Joy Lyrics
Justin Bieber – Boyfriend (Remix) Lyrics
Lil Wayne – Goulish Lyrics
Lil Wayne – S.A.S.A.R.A.F Lyrics
Meek Mill – Actin’ Up Lyrics
Pusha T – Exodus 23:1 Lyrics
Ray Jr. – Sloppy (Remix) Lyrics
Busta Rhymes – Why We Die
I must be cuckoo, like I respect the new-you, never/ See you too could get it through your FUBU sweater/ like a nigga when he walk in the dark, trespassing/ on a nigga land, shots echo loud in the park
FUBU, and other hip-hop influenced designer brands, were gaining much popularity during the nineties. In 1999 (when this song was released) clothing lines sucj as RocaWare and Sean John were born, which to this day continue to make millions in revenue. FUBU (which stand for “For Us By Us”) was a highly popular brand that represented the rawness and ostentatious culture that hip-hop was. When used in these lyrics, Busta Rhymes is saying how nobody is different when walking in a dark alley. No matter what brand you are wearing, some neighborhoods don’t care about the status. In fact, they could even be envious. Regardless, do not trespass in a neighborhood you don’t belong in. Nothing will keep you safe.
Some clothing brands have such a flair attached to them, sometimes violence does erupt when it comes to attaining it. In “Why We Die”, Busta Rhymes is letting it known that some areas and places are just dangerous. You need to be careful, as there are many people living there with nothing to lose.
Fabolous “Lullaby”
I been killing these hoes, these niggas just drop dead/ In the drop head, all we do is bop heads/ to the side, like Busta in the Pepsi ad/ With my Columbiana mama, yep she bad.
Fabolous explains the lure he has when it comes to the females. While other males drop dead at the sight of a gorgeous woman, Fabolous considers these women to be hoes that are the ones that actually drop dead due to murder, or Fab’s seduction. Women who succumb to Fabolous and his advances are guaranteed to be passengers in his drop top convertible, where they will bop heads to the songs playing just like Busta Rhymes in the 2008 Superbowl commercial for Pepsi Max. In Fabolous case, the woman that will be bopping her head will be of Columbian descent who is considered a threatening mate. However, for Fabolous, this threatening persona of the Columbiana Mama is fitting for the man who confidently bops his head like he is on a beverage with ginseng and twice as much caffeine as regular Pepsi.
If you aspire to “kill hoes” make sure you have the energy and confidence to do it. Pepsi Max may not be able to give you wings, but it sure can have you bopping your head.
