Vybz Kartel’s “Clarks” Boosts Sales

With all of the versioning and remixing Hip-Hop is looking more and more like dancehall. With all of the jailed artists, leaked photos, gossip and now product placement in the music, dancehall is looking more like Hip-Hop…. Kartel just pushed Clarks sales through the roof. When I first heard the tune, I assumed Clarks paid him for the homage… but I reall don’t know… Can dancehall push sales for Jamaican products? The Jamaican observer posed the question:

THE stimuli that dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel has given to the Clarks brand of footwear on the local market since he dropped his hit single Clarks a few weeks ago, exposes a long-standing culture where corporations benefit from urban contemporary music.

In the song, the popular singer declares his preference for the particular brand, which appears to have helped inspire hundreds of Jamaicans — who have long had an affinity for Clarks — to replenish their shoe stock. Shoe stores say sales of Clarks has multiplied since the single was released and an increasing number of persons can be seen donning the brand on the local party scene. [read more]

Download: Vybz Kartel – Clarks