Haha, how about when Run The Jewels got picked up for use in Cadillac commercials? Their lyrics are hilarious and subversive, so it’s weird as hell to see it in a bougie car commercial. Killer Mike and El-P have to get paid I guess but it was kind of surreal seeing them become big because I’d been a fan of both independently over 20 years ago. Been listening to El-P’s stuff since the first Cannibal Ox album with KM not too long after that.
Knowing those two, they probably love the irony of a corporation paying money to use RTJ’s anti-capitalistic, transgressive songs in an ad, let alone a brand like Cadillac.
But hey, it’s “ju$t” money
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recuperation_(politics)
I’d like to think they are smart enough to not be happy about their transgressive ideas being recuperated.
That’s a good point. I’m familiar with the concept, but didn’t realize it had been formalized so distinctly, so I suppose you’re right.
It’s interesting, though, because one would think that’s there’s always going to be a balancing act between wanting to make your message more well known and wanting to keep it unadulterated.
That’s a DJ Shadow track featuring Run The Jewels.
For obvious reasons only the music is used.