Beyond Urban Branding

So fun, so well done. It makes me totally forgive that horrific "graffiti" campaign they did in their store...anybody remember that....? Ugly stenciled shirts with almost no real graff? Man, this is a huge leap forward for them. Plus I used to have a crush on the lady leading the class.....mmm-hmmmm...

For all the youngsters out there, FUBU used to it...It was everything you wanted to wear (that and Cross Colors). Anyway, these guys were killing the game. FUBU is an acronym for For Us By Us ... How many people remember the Levi's (or was it GAP Jeans?) ad where with LL Cool J? If memory serves me right, he actually dropped a stealth line saying "For us, by us!" in an acapella freestyle? Once the FUBU brand dropped, that Cool J ad was never seen again ....If anyone can find it, please send it to me. Anyway, they are back. Slim Thugs in this ad. I know they can do better than Slim Thug. I'm not mad at him, but its been a minute since he moved me. The ad is pretty dry. Not impressed with the messaging. I hope the clothing is better than this ad *YAWN*...I dunno...Do you think they have the ability to pull it off in 2010? -Beyond Urban Branding beyondurban@gmail.com

Here is an ad for Gap khakis. Its a few years old I think. I like it because there is such a diverse range of races getting their groove on. Makes you wanna go get some, eh? But seriously, Hip-Hop dance, DJ's and graffiti art are still underused in advertising. I feel like everybody thinks Hip-Hop is just rap. For those that don't know Hip-Hop is composed of a few elements: Rap or MC'ing, DJ'ing, Graffiti, B-boy'ing and other forms of Hip-Hop dance. The second ad is a cool holiday ad featuring Common. Gap knows how to use rappers right in advertising campaigns. Both Gap ads shows that someone inside Gap knows that. Great look!!