
Kanye’s latest blog entry says it all. And this time it’s not in all caps. Maybe Kayne should finally launch Pastelle.com while he’s on a roll.
Kanye West set to launch new blog this week
Super Bowl goes hip-hop, now it’s time for Half Time show to
As we all know, the Super Bowl TV ads get just as much press and publicity as the actual game itself. Fortune 500 companies and the entire advertising industry use these ads as a way to gauge the creative and pop culture influences that shape the advertising and consumer landscape. So it’s no surprise that yesterday’s entire Super Bowl and its advertising had a clear hip-hop flavor to it. To start things off The NFL hooked up with Diddy and Jay-Z for custom TV spot promotions (Run This Town NFL promo & Angels NFL promo), but even the ads spotlighted how influential hip-hop has become in mainstream media.
T-Pain’s Bud Light commercial was one of the rare memorable ads of the day, and even consumer electronics companies like Vizio w/ Beyonce and Flo TV w/ Will.I.Am were perfect examples of how the icons of hip-hop and urban music shape the popular culture of today. This just leaves one question then…when will The Half Time show go hip-hop? Everyone knows groups like The Rolling Stones and this year’s Half Time show performers The Who are safe, mainstream, middle-America appealing bands but who can honestly say that they watched the entire performance without a “ummm when does this end?” They are boring…but safe.
Nothing says “love” more than Hip-Hop Valentine’s Day Cards


I wonder if the artists/writers are getting any royalties off this. I seriously doubt it. Nothing says “I love you” more than a “Lick Me Like A Lollipop” Valentine’s Day card. Check out the rest of the series after the jump. You can order them here.
6 Tips for getting your music placed in TV and film
I get a lot a couple of e-mails a day from aspiring artists asking how they can get their music featured in TV or film. Although I have some experience in this realm I’d rather let an expert get into it. Some of this might seem obvious but you have no idea how many artists fail to adhere to the most basic rules of music submission…not just to music supervisors but to A&R as well.
So here are Six Tips for getting your music placed in TV and film from music biz expert Mike King. While this isn’t hip-hop specific I can tell you the big death trap for original hip-hop submissions is sampling. If you are an amateur artist not backed by a publishing group or label and submit music with samples or riffs from other songs you will most likely be passed up just due to the legal ramifications and clearance issues behind it. Take that in mind.
1) Although they take Mp3 files in emails, supervisors still primarily work with full art CDs. They prefer their music in proper jewel cases with a spine that lists the artists name and title. Madonna from Whoopsie Daisy (who has worked on “Smallville,” “One Tree Hill,” “Alias,” and “Felicity,” and others) said that she receives upwards of 150 submissions a week, many of which she files away. Artists have to make it as easy as possible for them to file your music, and find it later.
2) If you are burning a CD, be sure you have added all the track info to the individual songs (particularly artist and song names). If a supervisor burns your music into iTunes, you don’t want to be in their library as “Track 2.”
3) Clearance problems are always an issue. Make the publishing and master info as prominent as possible, especially if you control both.
4) Be sure you are targeting the right show. Supervisors hate emails that ask: “What are you looking for?” Know your show’s demo, and send them appropriate music.
5) Do Not Call. Supervisors have no time to spend on the phone. Quick email reminders are appropriate. Successful pitches are those that do not expect anything, and do not put too much pressure on the supervisor. Keeping in front of them is great; stalking them is not.
6) Do not ask them for opinions on your music. Supervisors are not A&R reps. Good music will stand out and get placed at some point.
VIDEO: The latest Nike MVPuppets ad goes to the Barbershop
Now that the rapping Santa’s and reindeer are done with, here is the latest Nike Kobe vs. LeBron MVPuppets ad as LeBron goes to the barbershop. Via: Hypebeast
VIDEO: Jay-Z x Super Bowl XLIV Kick Off Commercial
Jay-Z x The NFL. Jay-Z started Super Bowl XLIV with a performance of “Run This Town” featuring E.S. Posthumus and the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra before the kick off. This is the second major sport performance he has performed in with music from his latest album “The Blue Print III”. In October he performed in the World Series, now its the Super Bowl, could the NBA finals be next?
VIDEO: Beyonce x VIZIO Commercial
Beyonce x Vizio. Beyoncé gets snatched by a robotic arm while performing “Beautiful Nightmare” in this Vizio Super Bowl commercial. Was expecting this ad to be more creative but not bad with a 10 second appearance and Beyoncé obtaining a big check for licensing her hit single.
VIDEO: Will.I.Am x FLO TV Super Bowl Commercial
Will.I.Am x FLO TV. In this FLO TV Super Bowl ad, a compilation of historical events and shared experiences that has united generations of television viewers play with Will.I.Am’s remixed version of rock band The Whos “My Generation.”
VIDEO: Diddy’s Dirty Money Super Bowl XLIV Intro Commercial
Diddy’s Dirty Money x NFL. Diddy’s Dirty Money was featured in a Super Bowl XLIV pre-game show commercial which pushes their latest single “Angels.” Not a lot of viewers got the opportunity to view the airing according to Bad Boy Blog. Bad Boy Entertainment Chief Marketing Officer Amani Duncan said on Twitter that the clip actually aired at 3:45 PM ET and a later showing was squeezed to show Katie Couric’s interview with President Barack Obama.
VIDEO: T-Pain x Bud Light “Voice Box” Super Bowl Commercial
T-Pain x Budweiser. The majority of Super Bowl ads came pretty short in the entertainment factor but this Bud Light one was one of the few that pulled through. Nothing better than talking every day conversation in Auto-Tune.
Nelly x Ford Mustang Album Art Partnership

Nelly x Ford Motors. Nelly and Ford have partnered up to promote the new 2011 Mustang GT on his next album’s cover art. The product placement will serve as eye candy for consumers who purchase the album which is set for release in Spring 2010.
The vehicle customized by DUB Magazine will feature extras like a billet grille with DUB badge, hood scoop, tinted taillights, angel eyes headlights and a Borla exhaust system. The interior also receives the custom treatment with a complete suede and leather design and a custom JL Audio system complete with two 12-inch subs, amps and speakers.
“I’m itching to get behind the wheel of my Mustang and really take it out on the streets. This vehicle being a part of my album artwork is just a reflection of the direction and feel that the album has. To be able to partner with Ford again on another vehicle that is going to change the automotive game is exciting,” said Nelly.
This is Nelly’s second time promoting one of Ford’s vehicles, in 2009 he helped Funk Master Flex promote the 2009 Ford Flex.
VIDEO: Nelly Reports for ESPN Magazine at Super Bowl XLIV
Nelly x ESPN Magazine. During the Super Bowl weekend festivities, Nelly interviewed celebrities from a 25,000 square foot “tricked out interview tent” that was customized by sponsor Samsung at the ESPN Magazine Super Bowl Party. He got his first exclusive as a reporter when Terrell Owens jokingly said he might join the Cincinnati Bengals and change his name to Terrell Ochouno.
VIDEO: Dwayne Wade’s Jordan “Nightmares Never Sleep” TV ad
I’m posting this just for the creative aspect which really steps up the shoe advertising game once again. This time it’s The Jordan Brand elevating the creativity.
VIDEO: Behind-the-scenes of Drake’s “Sprite” TV ad
Drake x Sprite. And now here is a behind-the-scenes video of the new Sprite TV ad with Drake….a closer look at the behind-the-scenes including him in the studio, storyboards of the commercial and more. Get ready for some huge moves from Drake’s team in regards to future partnerships and involvement in the Hollywood film and TV scene as well.
VIDEO: Drake’s new Sprite commercial
Drake x Sprite. Sprite continues to push their need to stay at the forefront of urban music by enlisting Drake for their latest ad campaign. Although I’m not a Sprite drinker the ad itself definitely grabs your attention. Drake’s recent mainstream Grammy’s exposure will definitely help elevate his promotional partnership game with Corporate America. Via: BrokenCool

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