Essay 655

Ludacris and assorted nutcases in a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Ludacris and Kanye West did not rip off other rappers’ rhymes, according to a jury ruling in the artists’ favor. The two stars faced a lawsuit by the rap group IOF, who insisted the hit “Stand Up” stole sections from IOF’s “Straight Like That” (see Essay 623). But the jury did not buy it, leaving IOF SOL.

• Lawyers on both sides of the R. Kelly trial requested that the public be barred from viewing the infamous video of the singer having sex with the allegedly underage female. They all argued that only the judge, jurors and lawyers should be permitted to watch, as the graphic material would ultimately embarrass the girl. Um, think we’re all beyond it at this point.

• Now that Draft and FCB are merging to form Draft FCB Group, it should be interesting to watch the inevitable culture clash. Most adfolks view the event as another sign that the apocalypse is upon us, while direct enthusiasts are cheering it as a monumental victory. From a creative perspective, it appears to be the marriage of a very ugly couple. “I don’t think the 30-second commercial will ever go away, but its value in the marketing mix has been diminishing,” Howard Draft proclaimed. “The consumer controls the experience now.” That’s right, Mr. Draft. And let’s remember that the consumer is currently tossing over 98 percent of your work directly into the trash.