After his interview with Jay Leno on the debut of the new Leno Show, Kanye West announced that he would be flying under the radar for some time because of the mishap at the VMAs. According to his blog, that doesn't seem to be the case. There, Kanye has posted an incredibly provocative promo clip to promote his upcoming Fame Kills tour with Lady Gaga. You can find the clip here...

http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?em3106=239757_-1__0_~0_-1_9_2009_0_0&em3298=&em3282=&em3281=&em3161=

This tour is obviously being marketed as a scandalous and sexy tour, which is obviously what sells in the music industry today. It goes right along the lines of the popular rap videos with all the scantily clad women and such. It is well known that both of these artists are over the top performers, and this video shows that it will be much of the same from them, but on a higher level. This marketing campaign is quite different from previous efforts... when was the last time you saw something this provocative? This...

http://www.starzlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/janet-jackson.jpg

and this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ULZuCK_fgo

immediately come to mind. They were both hugely popular and created a resounding buzz. Kanye's marketing approach may be ripping off of old methods, but I don't think it's going to make it any less successful.

-Woody Ellis