How Drake’s “Hotline Bling” music video is an example of how all businesses should market products to a target audience.

Monday October 26, 2015 hip-hop artist Drake released his “Hotline Bling” music video through Universal Music’s VEVO youtube distribution channel. The video features Drake performing a series of freestyle warm-up break dance moves and silhouettes of women. Lighting throughout the music video features a series of pastel and vibrant colors. The lighting, shadows, colors, women, and dances all received viral attention. In days the video was viewed 40 million times. To date ‘Saturday Night Live’ has parodied the music video featuring US Presidential candidate Donald Trump. Thousands of memes have also populated the internet as well. “Hot Line Bling” is a great example of how all businesses should market products to their target audience.

"Hot Line Bling" by Drake 

Capture the Look & Feel Your Audience Desires:

Drake as a hip-hop artist has established himself like no other commercially successful hip-hop artist has before. Drake’s audience and fan base is 2/3^rd’s female. This has been established from a catalog of music exploring relationships, and women with a level of intimacy most rappers will not do. Drake’s advantage for taking these risk has provided him an opportunity to capitalize on an audience under served in hip-hop.

“Hot Line Bling” sonically is mellow and stands out from his vocal talents delivering melodic variations in a subdued tone. This feels and captures an emotion towards intimacy. Drake’s subject matter and sound match which delivers the message to the audience best.

Colors Matter:

The ‘Hot Line Bling’ music video showcases a mix of pastel and vibrant colors. This aesthetic naturally lends itself to capture the attention of women. The basic design of using lighting to color the video, while limited props are used draws the attention of the viewer in. Also colors are matched with changes in the music and lyrics as well. In business aesthetics are essential in branding and capturing the attention of customers. As different colors touch on different emotions, using colors as a technique to deliver messages should always be considered.

What’s not seen Matters:

The women in the video are shown in the forms of silhouettes. This is a genius feature. As Drake is generally performing lyrics in songs from the first person perspective the listener can assume the ‘you’ he’s speaking of is the listener. Connecting with a potential buyer where he/she feels a relationship is developed is powerful. If a business can market it’s products where buyers think they are taken into consideration it only will develop customer and brand loyalty.        

Top Four Ways Your Business can be an OutKast and Stand Out

Top Four Ways Your Business can be an OutKast and Stand Out

By Khary Frazier

1. "South Got Something to Say" OutKast won Top New Artist of the year at the 1994 Source Hip-hop Awards. Amongst the turmoil and misunderstandings between Notorious BIG and Tupac Shakur (which eventually led to their untimely deaths) winning the awards the New York audience didn’t accept the Atlanta rap duo fondly. The artists accepted the award and Andre Benjamin left the stage saying 'the South got something to say. This statement held as a mantra for the group and Atlanta moving forward.

Setting a creed to conduct business by and with is a strength. Successful business people overtime have been driven by advice and knowledge. Using a creed that is purposeful to move ahead is resourceful.

2. LaFace, setting the standard in a business relationship. OutKast was released their debut albums with LaFace records. This label was a known home for Soul and R&B acts. OutKast was the first and original hip-hop act on LaFace. This was advantageous for their creativity.

I believe having a willingness to set a standard in a business relationship is important. Clients and businesses are looking to hire and work with people confident in their work. Landing a relationship where you set the standard of what is to expect is a wonderful opportunity. OutKast created the standard at which all future hip-hop acts were judged and given.

3. Be an OutKast, OutKast as a hip-hop group expanded the boundaries of which people thought hip-hop music would be made. Notably the song "Hey Ya" which uses european style pop music and singing to give a hip-hop record. This song is the biggest record OutKast ever made in reference to record sales and popularity. Their willingness to challenge the norm provided and opportunity that no other hip-hop act could take advantage of.

In business differentiation is vital. The competitiveness in all business markets leads to innovation and chances to be tried. Remaining loyal to a customer base does not rely upon remaining committed to methods, operations, products, or services. Every business should explore what creativity can be reached when entering a market.

4. Organized Noise with Us, OutKast was a hip-hop group started, run, and managed by Organized Noise Productions. Organized Noise Productions was a collection of hip-hop producers from Atlanta that sought out and saw the talent in OutKast member Andre Benjamin and Antawn Patton. In the early 1990's watching the young men perform open mic rap shows they eventually recruited the group to be on their production team. After recruitment a series of shows, practices, and studio sessions all managed under strict supervision created OutKast. Mile runs reciting lyrics, recording sessions daily, and talent show after talent show committed the Atlanta group to the success they embraced.

In business the parties making a deal can include so many people. The encouragement of family, friends, and associates are vital. OutKast had two performers on stage but many pushing and part of the group behind the stage. Success is a movement that encompasses many and the critique and involvement of others helps move it ahead.