On the track, "I'm So Wavy", The Game hits Jay with such lines as "No one on the corner got swagger like you? That's cause no one on the fucking corner is 42."
...And Jay hasn't responded.
Due to Jay-Z's recent release of Blueprint 3, the rap icon is having no trouble getting press these days. On the other hand, The Game, whose last release was 2008's The Doctor's Advocate is just getting geared up to release The R.E.D. Album this November.
Let's be real: battle-rap and beef have been promotional tools for many years (Biggie/Tupac, 50 Cent/Ja Rule, and *ahem* Jay-z and Nas). But there hasn't been a lyrical attack this fierce since...well...it's been awhile.
What I'm getting at is that in modern rap's mixtape culture is the perfect breeding ground for a strong marketing campaign grown out of this vicious, vicious attack.
Get it Game.
Alex Katz
In the past battling in rap has always been such a major part in rap, period. This is how rappers would defend there ground and determine who was the best at their art and who would walk away with respect. Using this same technique for marketing/promotion is very smart. It intrigues people because regardless if they like the artist or not, they are so curious to see what exactly they are going to say next and whose diss will be better. It can be so effective that, in extreme cases, such as Biggie and Pac beef,it can pit cities and regions against each other. This already has worked for The Game when he had beef with G-Unit, specifically 50 Cent and proved to boost his career sky high for a while. In this case The Game needs the promotion a hell of a lot more then Jay-Z, so we'll see if Jay-Z plays into this to give The Game what he's asking for.
ReplyDeleteAbove comment by: Andre Rodriguez
ReplyDeleteI agree that "battles" are used as a marketing/promotion technique, however I disagree about the use of it always being positive. Unfortunately, when these attacks occur, male ego has gotten in the way (no offense guys) and it becomes about something more than music. Of course I am generalizing here, but look at the examples you guys have given.. a lot of those situations between those artists have ended badly. Personally, I like Mariah's "Obsessed" track.. but not because it was a mocking Eminems current obsession... after awhile I think it becomes annoying to a listener.. back and fourth once between two people is usually okay. You want to hear what they have to stay back.. especially in battling... thats obviously what it's all about. BUT, when it comes to well respected people like Jay-Z.. I wanna hear the talent he has proved to us already through his lyrics and his music... not a song that is dedicated to a fedd with another artist, to me it's a wasted track.
ReplyDeleteHere's just an example...
Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem had a problem with rapper 50 cent. He used the same promotion. Put 50 down to make himself sound better. And although this artist was not even in the United States, the feud ended up hurting the both of them. Nigeria flew 50 Cent out for a concert a few years back, and when Eedris found out, him and his entourage went to the airport, got on 50s plane, started a brawl, and demanded that he leave the country. 50 did end up leaving, and didn't attend his own concert. These feuds can end badly, and not only for the artists. In this case and many others, it resulted in a number of disappointed fans.
-Lyndsie Klott
Honestly, I think the only one with something to gain from this would be The Game. Jay's in a position where he's done it all, so he sees coming back at Game being under him. I'll admit Game came at him pretty hard, but Game's got a history of doing this to keep his name out there. If people saw him as a legit threat to Jay, this would work better. But I'm not sure that many people do, if any.
ReplyDelete-Marcus Hall