Hip Hop Blogs

Jay-Z: "This game is over. I wonder if he knows."

Last night during the finals game I saw a glimpse of an HP commercial featuring Jay-Z.

Does Sex Sell Hip-Hop?

Fortune Magazine published a revealing article about the movie business, which found that Hollywood focuses more attention and money on sex and violence filled flicks, even though they are not as profitable as family movies. A quote:

This trend- G-rated movies are good for business but underproduced; R-rated movies are bad for business, and yet overdone--is something that has been driving economists batty for the past several years.

This surprising fact got me thinking about what sells in hip-hop and the larger world. We all have heard that "sex sells", and that's true. But marriage also sells, and there's a billion dollar event, book, and counseling industry based on marrying people and keeping them that way.

Porn sells, sure. But the Bible also sells, and so well that it doesn't even get listed on bestseller lists anymore.

People spend hundreds betting at casinos. But people spend tens of thousands betting on college.

Jerry Springer sells, And so does Oprah, times ten.

Byron Crawford sells. And so does Jay Smooth, plus some.

50 Cent sells. And so does The Black Eyed Peas.

Diddy sold in the 90's. And so did The Fugees.

Don't ever steal a TMobile Sidekick...

Do yourself a favor.  Next time you see an unattended Sidekick lying around, don't touch it.  And don't even think about stealing it.

Seriously, or you'll end up being assed out and ethered all over the internets. [via eskay]

You're better off stealing an Escalade with LoJack in it.

"Got my Vans on but they look like sneakers..."

Vans.  Got my Vans on but they look like sneakers. Got my Vans on but they look like sneakers.  This song is moving out the Bay Area hyphy camp and getting spins in LA and (from what I've heard) South Florida radio.  Here's all you gotta know:

1) The song is about Vans.
2) The song disses Nike ("we throw away Nikes..")
3) The song gives a quick history about the Vans shoe brand.
5) The song talks about how cheap Vans are compared to other shoe brands.
6) The song is crack. Everyone likes it.

A marketing victory for Vans at a time when hip hop culture as a driving marketing strategy is on the decline?  Does The Pack actually sport Vans?  Street reports from the Bay indicate that Vans have been flying off the shelves since this song got heavy rotation.  What the hell?  I'm going to get to the bottom of this.