Marketing Genius

I know a lot of people will disagree with me, but what Kanye West did at the MTV music awards was marketing genius. Now I didn't say it was a classy move or one that may make him look charming but stunts like this are apart of showbiz and more specificly hip hop. Whether its catching a case before a album drop or a “beef” with a rival rapper.

Not too long ago I was talking with a friend about Michael Jackson and the weird shit he did, and I was posed the question, if Michael didn't wear the crazy looking customs, didn't do the middle aged lady hair styles, the plastic surgeries and the marriage to the daughter of Elvis would he have maintained his fame throughout the years. The answer is NO. Although MJ's music was good, or even great, in the world of pop culture its not your quality or essence of work that keeps you at the top, its not your talent. Its how often you keep your name in a conversation.

Advertising dollars, promotional tours and appearances keep you only so interesting. America has proved to love scandal, that's why we read about Jon and Kate (I still don't know who they are, and why people talk about them), or the octopolet mom. We like weird shit. In an information age where millions of pieces of information are shot to us via TV, internet, Twitter, Facebook and alike, how do stars generate staying power?

Eminem has built a career off of shock lyrics, going after Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and most recently Mariah Carey who unlike the others jumped into the battle seeing the marketing potential of such a fight.

How often do Swift fans talk about Kanye West? They do now. And would I write or would you be reading about Kanye West if it wasn't for his stunt. Now I agree, he looked like an ass, but an ass that just pushed himself on front page news which he couldn't get unless he spent millions on an ad campaign or killed someone. With the Jay-Z album release and Kanye's multiple projects, for the reason of loving him or hating him, you will pay attention to him and his next 5 moves.

And I know Beyonce was embarrassed, and shocked and all, but she is no dummy either, and responded with a classy move on her part, which made her look even better than she would of if there was no controversy to begin with. And last but definitely not least Taylor Swift herself although she looked like she was going to cry on stage, has the most to gain.

Country singers are rarely known by hip hop fans, unless they are featured on Nelly songs, and how often does that happen? I now know Taylor Swift. Plus she is a now a media darling, the poor sweet girl that was interrupted by the asshole black rapper guy. She will do interviews she wouldn't of, appearances she wouldn't of and if I can do my best Nostradamus and predict that she and Kanye will do a track together.

Think about all the demographics that will get involved in this conversation. Marketing genius!
All and all this is a win-win.