Informative biopics, hilarious spoofs and touching portrait tributes are a few of the ways that are shedding light on modern hip-hop in the media.
With major rappers, DJs and hip-hop artists topping the charts, brands are embracing marketing tactics that include these musicians, many of which are known for being edgy. For instance, at the beginning of the year, Nicky Minaj graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in an understated getup rather than her usual over-the-top attire. Similarly, Toronto is home to several billboard advertisements that make references to the city's own Drake with phrases like: "The 6 God is Watching" or "For God So Loved the 6."
In order to easily equate parts of hip-hop culture to other aspects of pop culture, mashups are being made. This is best exhibited by a series of comic book covers put out by Marvel that celebrates decades of album art from iconic rap and hip-hop artists.
17 Examples of Hip-Hop in the Media
From Spoofed Hip-Hop Videos to Intimate Rapper Portraits:
Laura McQuarrie — Dec 10, 2015 — Pop Culture
17
Retro Songstress Fashion
The L'Officiel Singapore Ciara Photoshoot Draws Inspiration from the 60s
16
Rap-Inspired Lookbooks
The Flandana Fall/Winter 2015 Lookbook is Over-the-Top
15
Hip-Hop-Inspired Comics
These Variant Covers by Marvel Pay Tribute to Iconic Rap Albums
14
Vintage Rapper Sneaker Ads
These Refashioned Vintage adidas Ads Include Kanye West
13
Omniscient Rapper Billboards
This Massive Toronto Album Teaser Calls Drake "The 6 God"
12
Rapper-Referencing Religion Billboards
The Drake-Themed Church Sign Reaches Out to Young Audiences
11
Meditative Rapper Editorials
The Kanye West T Magazine Spread Was Shot by Juergen Teller
10
Social Hip-Hop Apps
The White Label App Promotes Music Discovery Via Social Media
9
Urban Culture Magazines
Greenroom Magazine is a Print Publication for Hip-Hop Beyond Genre
8
Urban Media Apps
'The Senna' Celebrates Memes, Videos and Stories from Hip-Hop Culture
7
Spoofed Hip-Hop Videos
The Cast of SNL Made a Comedic Remake of Drake's Hotline Bling Music Video
6
Intimate Rapper Portraits
Hip Hop Photography Blog Places Plus Faces is Releasing a Zine
5
Presidental Rapper Covers
This New Yorker Cover Imagines a Kanye West Presidency in 2020
4
African American Media Blogs
This Website Provides a Space for African American Entertainment
3
Chicago Rap Culture Documentaries
The Chiraq Vice Documentary Explores Chicago's Rap Culture
2
Gangster Rap Biopics
The Straight Outta Compton Movie Charts the Rise Of N.W.A.
1
Hip-Hop Drama Parodies
This Jimmy Fallon Empire Parody Puts a Hilarious Spin on the Hit Show
Related Ideas
Body Paint Fashion Campaigns
The Miley Cyrus Maison Margiela Campaign Boasts Avant-Garde Themes
Rapper-Backed Apparel Lines
Austin Post Makes Its Paris Runway Debut With a Western-Inspired Label
Modern Heritage-Based Streetwear
adidas Spotlights its 'Superstar Collection' for Fall and Winter
Sreet Heritage Collabs
adidas Originals X Avirex Reimagine the Iconic Superstar In NYC Heritage
Graffiti-Inspired Branding Campaigns
Mosaic North America Partners with Buffalo Bills
Rap Group Streetwear Collaboration
Supreme x Wu-Tang Clan Fall 2025 Capsule Honours Hip-Hop Legacy
Celebrative Icon-Inspired Campaigns
adidas Originals Honors 55 Years with Superstar: The Original
Pop-Star Coffee Partnerships
Dua Lipa Becomes Nespresso's Global Brand Ambassador
Collectible Historical Figurines
PIX! is Dropping Designs Inspired by Icons in Art, Music & More
K-Pop Playful Streetwear
The BAPE x Stray Kids Collection Unites K-Pop Energy with Iconic Graphics
Hip-Hop Crime Dramas
Stranger Than Heaven Features Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur Characters
4/20 Marketing Campaigns
Fat Tuesday and Still G.I.N. By Dre and Snoop Limited Offer
Artist-Centric Networking Events
Adidas x SNIPES Unveil The NYC Superstar & Empower Artists
Villain-Inspired Graphic Streetwear
©SAINT Mxxxxxx Celebrates Heath Ledger's Joker in New Capsule
Festival-Inspired Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Burberry Celebrates the Energy of British Music Culture
Rapper-Approved Functional Drinks
Snoop Dogg and Harmony Craft Beverages Launch Iconic Tonics
Hi-Fi Streetwear Capsule
The Kompakt Record Bar x Carhartt WIP Set Honors Seoul’s Audio Culture
High-Profile Live Performance Marketing
Rokid Delighted Folks with a High-Profile Marketing Event
American Artist Bag Capsules
Eastpak Launched a Jean-Michel Basquiat Collection
Fast-Food Graphic Capsules
The Mcdonald’s x Graniph 7th Edition Capsule Drops Playful Streetwear
Dramatic Cinematic-Style Footwear Campaigns
New Balance Partners with Rosalía on a New Campaign
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Individuality-Focused Brand Campaigns
Adidas Originals' New Campaign Champions Timeless Classics
Rapper-Debut Eyewear Collections
A$AP Rocky and Ray-Ban Launch the Blacked Out Collection
Fashion-Inspired Food Marketing
Magnum Blends Beauty, Music and Luxury Culture into Its Brand
Legacy Artist-Themed T-Shirts
Gap Partners with Legendary Artists on its New Shirt Capsule
Festival-Ready Celebrity DJ Activations
Absolut Vodka Welcomes Paris Hilton at the House of Cosmo
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
New York Streetwear Collections
Gap and Awake NY Launch a 90s-Inspired NYC Culture Capsule
Telenovela-Inspired Beauty Campaigns
e.l.f. Cosmetics' Big Game Ad Airs Ahead of Halftime
Gen Z Holiday Campaigns
SNIPES Launches 'Wrapped in Heat' Featuring Marlon Wayans
Streetwear-Inspired Cannabis Products
Hemper Entered a Collaboration with the Popular Rip N Dip
Sneaker Fused Ceramic Exhibitions
Roberto Lugo Presents the Drip Exhibition in New York
Music-Inspired Snackable Cheese Campaigns
Bel Brands USA's Babybel Partners with Timbaland
Artistic Hip-Hop-Inspired Cereal Campaigns
Froot Loops Launches 'Follow Your Ears'
Entertainment Insight Platforms
Celebs Bucks Delivers Celebrity News And Net Worth Insights
Dynamic Textural Collaborative Shoes
Thug Club & Adidas Drop a Special Iteration of the Superstar
Music Competition Cafes
Hard Rock and Coca-Cola launch a global artist competition
Fandom-Honoring Building Block Sets
LEGO® Spotlights Iconic Pop Culture Films and Series
Rapper-Inspired Easter Ads
Nova Starr Turns Up the Volume in MGA’s Shoppable Easter Campaign
Customer-Starring Billboards
Bobbie's Campaign Spotlights Moms as "the OG Influencers"
Experiential Marketing Campaigns
MIKE AND IKE, HOT TAMALES, and Marvel Team Up for Campus Tour
Musician Merch-Inspired T-Shirts
This Collaboration Gap Merch Highlights Iconic Artists
Skater-Inspired Fashion Crossovers
Depop x Tony Hawk Launched an In-Game Styles & Exclusive Edits
Gaming-Inspired Streetwear Ranges
The Kith x Marvel x Capcom Collection is Retro-Inspired
Marketer-Targeted Albums
The Spotify Tunetorials Campaign Blurs Education and Entertainment
Satirical Press Conference Campaigns
'Kim gets work done' Debuts Kim Kardashian's New Drink Brand
Cult Film-Inspired Graphic Tees
These Capsule Tees Pay Homage to 17-Year-Old Dark Knight Film.
Playable Brand Universes
adidas and Brawl Stars Connect Gaming, Apparel and Live Fan Experiences
Digital Fan Engagement Platforms
Fambase's Platform is an Alternative to Traditional Social Media
Music Scene-Informed Luxury Campaigns
Burberry Taps Twiggy for Spring 2026 Advertising Campaign
Cinematic Sneaker Campaigns
Adidas Originals Superstar Campaign Features Icons Such as Jennie
Anti-Digital Social Campaigns
Heineken Partners with Joe Jonas for 'Socials Off Socials'
Hand-Drawn Sketch-Informed Athletic Apparel
Sharpie Joins Forces with Under Armour
Music Brand Sponsorships
True Religion Has Sponsored Rolling Loud Orlando With a Branded Capsule
Underground Culture-Inspired Collabs
Vintage Culture x Von Dutch Loves Debut a Capsule Collection
Sensorial Soda Campaigns
Sprite's 'Hurts Real Good With Sprite' Targets Gen Z
Cross-Disciplinary Campaign Films
Levi's 'Behind Every Original' is Supported by 'Backstory'
Musician-Led Beverage Campaigns
poppi Tapped Charli xcx and Rachel Sennott for the Super Bowl
Artful Bandage Collections
The Met x BAND-AID Collaboration Shares Exclusive First-Aid Products
Resilient Collaboration Fashion Capsules
Converse and Daily Paper Launch Rise Through the Ropes
Culturally Inspired Fall-Ready Streetwear
BAPE Introduces its Connect with People Collection
Interactive Garment Billboards
The Sweaty Betty All Good in the Hood Campaign is in London
Beer Brand Artist Refreshes
Terrapin Beer Co. Refreshes Packaging With Artist Collaborations
Animated Pop Revival Shows
Paris Hilton’s Paris & Pups Brings Her Playful Persona to Youtube
Joyful Skincare Anthems
Dove & Ciara's 'Drop Your Skin-hibitions' Remixes a Childhood Classic
Lyrics-Inspired OOH Campaigns
Taskrabbit Interprets Pop Culture Songs for Summer Home Tasks
Film-Inspired Graphic Streetwear
The One on One Collection Reunites UNDERCOVER and WTAPS
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Avant-Garde Street Capsules
The Day 3 Capsule 2 Collection Channels Underground Energy
Hip Hop Artist Partnerships
Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Taps J.I.D to Reimagine an Iconic '90s Jingle
Flavor Anthem Ads
Frank's RedHot is Bringing Flavor to the Big Game with Its Eat The GOAT Campaign
Rapper-Branded Hemp-Based Beverages
Snoop Dogg Expands Availability of Do It Fluid & Doggy Spritz
Skateboarder-Inspired Footwear Spots
Nike SB Introduced the 'Nyjah 4'
Tattoo-Inspired Joint Blemish Patches
Starface & Heaven by Marc Jacobs Launch the Tattoo Compact
Television streetwear capsules
Kith x Monday Program's The Sopranos range applies series graphics
Sports-Inspired Streetwear
OVO x WWE Collab Capsule Introduces Co-Branded Apparel and Accessories
DJ-Forward Fitness Experiences
Pure Energy Music Reimagines the Fitness Experience
Illustrated Streetwear Capsules
Wasted Youth x TAPPEI Introduces New Artwork Across Apparel
Graphic Tee Rap Tributes
De La Soul x Levi’s Releases Capsule Tees for the FW25 Season
Video Podcast Expansion
Netflix and iHeartMedia Bring Video Podcasts to the Streaming Platform
Media-Backed Creator Platforms
BET Launches a Creator Studio with ‘The Jason Lee Show’
Sneaker-Inspired Art Exhibitions
Roberto Lugo's 'Drip' Explores the Impact of the AF1 on Culture
Basketball Culture-Inspired Campaigns
Under Armour x RDCWorld will Debut 'Let Them Talk'
Reinterpreted Retro Denim Spots
Beyoncé Stars in Chapter Three of Levi’s 'REIIMAGINE Campaign'
Collab Logo Cap Capsules
Journal Standard x New Era SS26 Refines Classic Headwear
Miniature Billboard Ads
Little Canada's Mini Media Initiative Spotlights Brands on Tiny Billboards
Reimagined Creative Campaigns
Marc Jacobs Dropped its '26 Summer Campaign and New Visual Identity
Heritage-Infused Streetwear
AAPE by A Bathing Ape Revisits Youth Culture’s Golden Eras
High-Concept Brand Campaigns
The ‘Legitimate You’ Campaign Proves Every Brand Can Look Pro
Gaming Style Capsules
The Nike x Martine Rose Campaign Spotlights Esports Athletes as Modern Icons
Film-Inspired Graphic Apparel
The Dark Knight Collection Unveils Film-Themed Streetwear by YoungLA
Music Insight Overlays
Music AI Bubble Adds Real-Time Song Insights Across Music Apps
Music-Driven Hospitality Concepts
W Montréal and Billboard Launch Billboard Live at W Montréal
Hip-Hop-Honoring Soda Campaigns
Sprite The Living Tracklist Campaign Commemorates Impactful Songs
Humorous High-Intensity Campaigns
Nike Launched its Star-Studded 'Rip the Script' Video Campaign
Cultural-Influence Fashion Capsules
Denim Tears Presents its 5th Quarter Collection
Rapper Merch Collections
Bravado x DMX Merch Collection Launches Official Web Shop and Vinyls
Soundtrack-Integrated Print Media
Radioposter Merged Audio Storytelling with Physical Books &Zines
Rapper Alpine Winter Capsules
Moschino x Snoop Dogg Winter Olympics 2026 Capsule Drops Two Pieces
Vintage Rap Tees
FREAK’S STORE x 2pac Collection Revives Archive-Style Graphic Prints
Graffiti-Inspired Cannabis Partnerships
Timeless & the WET PAINT Graffiti Collective Continue on
Skateboarding Music Festivals
The Rockstar Energy Open Is Returning to Portland
Glitching Movie-Inspired Banking Billboards
This BMO Billboard Brings a Film Detail to Life
K-Pop Movie Shoe Capsules
Vans Releases a New Collection Themed Around K-Pop Demon Hunters
Spicy Spread Campaigns
Philadelphia Mexican Style Launched with Creator-Led Marketing
Rap Group-Collaborative Fashion
WIND AND SEA Joins De La Soul and PaRappa the Rapper on a Capsule
Comic Skate Streetwear
The HUF x Marvel Spider-Man Collection Celebrates 1990s Comics
Clinical Retail Media
PatientPoint Bridges Healthcare and Commerce
Collector Art Volume Books
Basquiat: the World of Jean-Michel Features 250 Artworks and Archives
Year-Round Basketball Platform
Foot Locker Launches Its Hoops Lives Here Campaign
Artist Hometown-Inspired Sneakers
adidas Originals and Bad Bunny Launch the Gazelle City Series
Digital POC-Backed Libraries
Solange Knowles Introduces a New Library Under Saint Heron
Skateboarding Heritage Collection
United Through Skateboarding Honors Atiba Jefferson’s Creativity
Rapper-Approved Sneaker Colorways
Lil Uzi Vert X Vans Spotlight Premium Old Skool Sneaker Redesign
Graffiti Collective-Informed Cannabis Packaging
Timeless Taps Graffiti Collective WET PAINT
Audio Journalism Platforms
Spotify Converts Long-Form Magazine Articles Into Audio Experiences
Social Media-Inspired Streaming Apps
The Netflix App Feed Will Introduce a TikTok-Like Style
Iconic Band Apparel Series
FREAK’S STORE Band Shirts Honor Legends with Long-Sleeve Designs
Film-Centric Fashion Capsules
Rihanna's Fenty Joins Puma on a Special Smurfs Collection
AI Content Studios
LitMedia Lets You Create Unique AI-Generated Videos, Music, And Content
Celebrity-Backed RTD Campaigns
Minute Maid Spiked Partners with Action Bronson
Cultural Sports Collaboration
The Weeknd and Toronto Blue Jays Unite for a World Series Collection
Music Mashups Apps
MashApp Music Lets Users Create And Share Custom Song Mashups Easily
Sea-Inspired Streetwear Capsules
Reebok X MARKET Channel LA Streetwear in a New Collection
Creative Photo Communities
Join the Ad-Free Creative Photo Network Built Into Hipstamatic
Cultural Icon Collabs
Ice Cube x Goodyear Partner for Blimp Partnership During Truth to Power Tour
Layered Online Content Reports
YouTube Defines Creative Maximalism as the Key Point After 20 Years
Bustling Street Culture Marketplaces
Next Level Apparel Supports Got Sole's Culture Festival
Public Art Displays
Paul Anthony Smith’s Photographs Appear at 300 City Bus Stops This Summer
Graphic Apparel Collections
The sacai Muhammad Ali Collection is a Three-Piece Apparel Capsule
Brand Identity Studios
The Media Hous Builds Portfolios And Brands For Market Visibility
Cannabis Art Ventures
Snoop Dogg Presented the 'Rich N Infamous: the Joint Venture' Art Launch
In-Game Music Experiences
Toca Boca Integrates Music From Major Artists Into Gameplay
Tastemaker-Starring Father's Day Campaigns
Psycho Bunny Launches 'This Is Generational Wealth'
Athlete-Joined High Fashion Capsules
Dior and Lewis Hamilton Explores Afrofuturism Themes
Global Art Exhibitions
Keith Haring: a World in Motion Traces the Artist’s International Work
Retail Media Leadership Communities
RETHINK Retail Launches Executive Media in Retail Community
Contemporary Gallery Debut Events
Hearts Gallery Made Its Debut on May 2nd in Los Angeles
Rapper-Inspired Footwear Partnerships
HEYDUDE x Jelly Roll Debut the 'Bradley Boot'