News that McDonald’s will pay hip-hop artists $1-$5 every time a radio station plays a song of theirs that mentions a Big Mac is unusual only in that McDonald’s is owning up to it. Product placement has been a staple of hip-hop songs for years, from “Pass the Courvoisier” to Lexus, Timbaland, Cristal and a multitude of other names, and that’s not likely to change soon. And while McDonald’s may be inviting criticism from child obesity groups or begging for a replay of the ludicrous Ludacris vs. Bill O’Reilly feud, there doesn’t seem to be much of a downside otherwise. Outlets as varied as MTV.com and The Guardian are squawking about the move, so even if a single hip-hop artist doesn’t take the bait, it’s already garnered its fair share of press—way more than the silly Lincoln Fry, for instance. The next brand to try this probably won’t be so lucky.
—Posted by Mae Anderson
Credit: McDonald’s
