With all the hip-hop allusions to "spitting words like lead and dropping lyrical bombs on ya head," it's no wonder that Jay Electronica and Mobb Deep have taken to playing Call of Duty, Infinity Ward's award-winning game series. However, who would have anticipated that they'd dedicate their first collaborative single to the game?
In the past decade, the worlds of gaming and modern hip-hop have formed an unlikely, unquestioned relationship. With industry veterans like Ice-T and newcomers like Soulja Boy professing their love for virtual combat, the climate has allowed them to come out of the geek closet without (too much) judgment. Jay Electronica's newest single, appropriately titled 'Call of Duty,' makes topical references to the death of Steve Jobs and General Shepherd, the antagonist of the last COD instalment. Though microphone spamming should always be abhorred online, I won't complain if you blast this tune during a game of Team Deathmatch.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Gaming-related Collaborations
- Opportunity for gaming companies to collaborate with artists and leverage their fan bases.
- Virtual Entertainment
- Opportunity for artists to engage with fans and promote their content through gaming and virtual experiences.
- Nostalgia Marketing
- Opportunity for companies to tap into the nostalgia of consumers by creating products and experiences that reference popular culture.
Sectors Adopting This
- Gaming
- Opportunity for gaming companies to collaborate with artists and leverage their fan bases to increase game sales.
- Music
- Opportunity for music companies and artists to engage with fans and promote their content through gaming and virtual experiences.
- Marketing
- Opportunity for marketing firms and companies to tap into the nostalgia of consumers by creating products and experiences that reference popular culture and media.
