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
Nas “Let There Be Light”
The son of the audio cassette era, tech wearer/ Bullets and begets, Binzbo’s speaker terror/ Until man I get mine till I’m dead, so I can drive something red/ Like that horse standing on it’s hind legs
Nas begins his lyric by explaining his past. Coming from a past of violence and gunfire (tech = TEC-9 gun), Nas is determined to get something better. A better life. He will achieve this better life even if it kills him. He will know he is successful once he drives that red car with the horse logo. The description is obviously about a Ferrari. I love these lyrics because it doesn’t even explicitly mention Ferarri. He provides the description of it, and that alone is enough to think about the legendary car (if only all brands could have that luxury). And Nas is equating the Ferrari brand as symbol of resiliency and successfully achieving his goals.
