In a epilogue to this post: the American Brandstand 2005 report is proud to announce the top 10 brands mentioned in hiphop. The top three are, from boldest to least, are Mercedes, Nike, and Cadillac. The one brand rappers don’t seem to mind knockoffs of? The AK-47 at #10 with a bullet.
Biggest corporate shill? 50 Cent, of course.
But maybe I’m being judgemental. After all, named-ropping is as old as time. Hell, Mozambique put an AK-47 on their national flag. I also just watched “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” with my sister, and there’s Marilyn Monroe singing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”, where Tiffany’s, Cartier and Howard Winston are mentioned in a matter of moments.
Good ol’ Norma Jean even refers to her diamonds as “ice”. I’d drink Cristal to that. Happy New Year.