^ I haven’t read ur book yet. In my humble opinion a ‘brand’ is anything that represents said artist. which means your reputation, story and image are all linked to what we call the ‘brand’. As long as the consumer is coming into contact with anything about the artist, s/he is in touch with the brand. The consumers perception of the brand is affected by everything that officially represents the artist. From the promotional poster, to the mixtape, to the artists interview, to his videos, to the live shows, to the album… everything represents the ‘brand’. All paths should lead to the brand. By managing the paths (image, reputation, story, media etc) you indirectly sort out the brand. Hope I’m making sense?!
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“…Yes, Young Jeezy has been successful because his story, reputation, image and brand have stayed in alignment…”

^ Cedric, in ur opinion how does the ’story / reputation / image’ connect with the international audience? I follow hip-hop / the music business. I’m from Nairobi. I can tell u that people here know Jeezy’s music but they definitely don’t know his ’story’.
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“…For the first time, I noticed the always self-aware Queens native seemingly unsure of why his sales were so poor….”

^ Yeah. Could there be more to this sales than meets the eye? i.e the fractious relationship between Jimmy Iovine & 50 Cent? Personally I have no knowledge of how the industry works but from the outside looking in, Wale got more of a push than 50 Cent. Another example, just compare the marketing campaign that launched Eminem’s Relapse? I wouldn’t be surprised if Interscope decided ‘You know what, since u’re not re-signing why even bother investing more money than necessary?’ That said, I think Baby By Me has been one of his weaker singles to date. 1 more thing: Is it just me or did 50 promote the BISD movie more than the album? heard this pissed off the interscope people
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“…That image of 50 Cent – though a form of maturity some would say - is not in alignment with the brand he has successfully created…”

^ Would u say that the brand needs to evolve or morph into something bigger than rap? The fact that he is 34 means he can no longer fit the mould of ‘Me Against The World’. Would you say this would be helluva chance for Curtis Jackson (Executive Producer / Movie Mogul) to start emerging? I’m also curious to see how he will push the ThisIs50 Fest concept (read he is planning on doing one in LA then Atlanta & other states and turn it into a kind of tour platform for acts who may not have the muscle to complete such a tour individually). I can’t see 50 Cent rapping at 40 like JayZ or Rae or Ra
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“…The only person who may pick their opponents more carefully than Jay-Z is Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather, Jr…”

^ I see what u did there! #shotsfired
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“…It appears for now that he is determined to establish a strong film production and acting career…”

^ True. Remember when 50 was spotted at the Twilight movie premier? & people assumed he was there to push his album? I wouldn’t be surprised if he has his eye on a movie franchise in the future and wanted a closer look. I think he’s looking for that Tyler Perry money.
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“…This fits 50 Cent’s brand and image more (which is why he has been trying to lure Jay-Z into a battle on his turf)…”

^ I agree. Their styles are totally opposite. But if JayZ plays (if at all) on his own terms (i.e sublte and behind-the-scene) it could be interesting. Its like Lion vs Fox. And thats a very sly Fox might I add!
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“…Jay-Z ‘won’ though in a business sense by ending the battle and apologizing…”

^ That was a slick move. By doing that he made himslef look like the bigger man, made his smaller beefs almost irrelevant, built on his image of the ‘the hip-hop godfather’, made hip-hop history, & reached out to Nas fans. The fact that JayZ signed Nas just puts the icing on the cake. Picture JayZ approving budgets for the dude that ‘ethered’ him a couple years back??!!! I can’t see JayZ coming out at a Nas concert (is it just me or does the whole thing lose shine?)

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side note: great post! hope my comment is not too long!