'Rap Face Tats Go Indie' Comically Transfers Hip-Hop Ink to Other Musicians
Jordan Sowunmi — July 7, 2011 — Pop Culture
References: dustinland_ & read.mtvhive
In the last few years, facial tattoos have become an important part of the gangsta rap aesthetic for several major artists, and cartoonist Dustin Glick's 'Rap Face Tats Go Indie' comically displays what would happen if this movement expanded past gangsta rap and moved towards the mainstream culture of pop and indie-rock.
The list of rappers who sport facial tattoos is a veritable who's who of contemporary rap music: Lil' Wayne, Wiz Khalfia, Gucci Mane, Rick Ross, and the Game all proudly rock facial ink. Collected in this series of photoshopped pictures are the faces of major pop stars (Justin Bieber) and indie rockers (Arcade Fire, Bon Iver) trying their best to capture some of the impressive swagger displayed by the aforementioned face tat flaunting rappers. It may not come as a surprise to you, but Dustin Glick's 'Rap Face Tats Go Indie' does a great job of exposing the ridiculousness of facial tattoos on most people, and forces a greater appreciation of the people that are able to do it and not look like the victim of a face-painting exercise gone wrong. Enjoy.
Implications - One of the most effective ways a company can generate brand interest is by parodying a popular Internet or pop culture fad. By viewing a cultural touchstone through a comic lens, the company shows that it is on the forefront of contemporary entertainment, as well as wholly unafraid of potentially controversial topics.
The list of rappers who sport facial tattoos is a veritable who's who of contemporary rap music: Lil' Wayne, Wiz Khalfia, Gucci Mane, Rick Ross, and the Game all proudly rock facial ink. Collected in this series of photoshopped pictures are the faces of major pop stars (Justin Bieber) and indie rockers (Arcade Fire, Bon Iver) trying their best to capture some of the impressive swagger displayed by the aforementioned face tat flaunting rappers. It may not come as a surprise to you, but Dustin Glick's 'Rap Face Tats Go Indie' does a great job of exposing the ridiculousness of facial tattoos on most people, and forces a greater appreciation of the people that are able to do it and not look like the victim of a face-painting exercise gone wrong. Enjoy.
Implications - One of the most effective ways a company can generate brand interest is by parodying a popular Internet or pop culture fad. By viewing a cultural touchstone through a comic lens, the company shows that it is on the forefront of contemporary entertainment, as well as wholly unafraid of potentially controversial topics.
Trend Themes
1. Facial Tattoos - The popularity of facial tattoos among rap artists has the potential to spread beyond the genre to mainstream pop and indie-rock.
2. Parody Marketing - Companies can leverage popular internet and pop culture fads to generate brand interest by creating comedic and satirical content.
3. Cultural Commentary - Using a comic lens to dissect cultural touchstones allows companies to showcase their understanding of contemporary entertainment and willingness to tackle potentially controversial topics.
Industry Implications
1. Music Industry - Facial tattoos becoming a trend among pop and indie-rock artists could impact the image and style of the music industry.
2. Entertainment - Parody marketing provides opportunities for companies across various entertainment sectors, such as film, television, and online content creation.
3. Marketing and Advertising - The use of cultural commentary through parody can be an effective strategy for marketing and advertising agencies to engage with consumers and create buzz for brands.
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