The Music Industry and Branding

An artist's 'Brand' is the  most essential way of  advertising and promoting the artist and earning profits and recognition for them and their label. Music videos and album covers are the most effective way in which artists sell themselves to audiences. Other ways in which bands and artists do this is through the use of merchandise and performances in calendars, posters etc.


An example of an artist and their brand is Dr.Dre, he promotes a 'gangster image' of 'sex, women, drugs and money', in the majority of his videos there are women half naked around him, or he is driving in cars, or smoking drugs and throwing money around. His album cover for 'The Chronic' is basically him looking at the camera not smiling just looking 'cool' giving him that 'gangster' image, 'The Chronic 2001' is basically is his name 'Dr.Dre'(which many people already know and recognize from NWA), 'parental advisory warning' and a Cannabis leaf which strongly says what sort of image he wants to give off. He appeals to a lot of audiences, in particular young boys, who like the image of been 'cool' 'rebellious' and 'a hit with the ladies' so follow his music, buy his music and because of his 'Brand' he is getting recognition, audiences and earning profit because of it. His lyrics also are a major input to his image, if you listen to his songs.




Here are examples of Dr.Dre and his image in his videos and album covers

Jane Keegan