Industry & Culture
Burger King Got Back?
Back in '92 when Sir Mix-A-Lot dropped "Baby Got Back" it caused a minor controversy with some due to its provocative lyrics and asstastic video, which was banned from MTV for a spell. But what a difference 17 years makes. Today "Baby Got Back" is considered to be a Hip Hop classic and has been fully embraced by the mainstream--to its detriment. Just take this new Burger King commercial, for example. If you thought those McDonald's souled out commercials were bad, then you're really going to love (read: hate) this. "Baby Got Back" has been rewritten to promote Burger King's BK Kids Meal with SpongeBob SquarePants toys inside. Pause. Mix-A-Lot is even on board to perform the rap while the Burger King mascot does a few urban dance moves surrounded by female dancers with square shaped hind parts. This commercial is so bad it's comical, but in an uneasy, "Hip Hop is dead" kind of way. And this line from Sir Mix-A-Lot's rap pretty much sums it up: "SpongeBob I wanna get witcha, cause you're making me richer." Sold out, indeed.
Tags: burger king, sir mix-a-lot
Comments
Not feelin this commercial at all. BK has to be kidding wit this.
MrSonnyJames | April 9, 2009 3:30 AM | PermalinkYeah, take a look at the lyrics. Some of them are pretty racy. Especially the line about thongs!
http://www.songspeak.com/you-other-sponges-dont-want-none-unless-you-rock-square-buns/
Matt | April 8, 2009 2:25 PM | PermalinkWhen I first saw this video I was in awe that someone would actually allow this to go on the air. There are so many things wrong with this, that it's saddening and funny all at the same time. As a commercial to promote Burger King's kid meal, everything about it is WRONG! First you have the song, 'Baby Got Back' that alone sends an uncomfortable message to children. That's like using 'Cop Killer' to promote a put down your gun drive---you just don't do it. There are certain lines you just don't cross. Second you put squares on these women's behind as they show off their bums while the King sashays in true pimp form throughout the commercial. As if the song being used wasn't enough, they had to not only bring attention to their rear ends by adding a new dimension to it. Who is this commercial really for? Definitely not the babies. Whoever approved this should be ashamed of themselves. Lastly, I think this is a poor attempt to make Burger King appeal to Urban America and it shows what little respect the company has for us and our children.
Stephanie | April 8, 2009 11:05 AM | PermalinkOk so the commercial is funny on the surface. Esp when the Burger King busts into the splits. However, ish like this cheapens the value of hip hop...thankfully there's much more to it than Sir Mix A Lot selling out in a dumb Burger King commercial.
hiphopmuse | April 7, 2009 6:22 PM | PermalinkThis is killing me softly...
Didn't EVEN attempt to view this foolishness, but seriously, how can a song about "buns" be child's play now?
Audio Diva | April 7, 2009 5:37 PM | PermalinkOk I was literally only able to get through five seconds of that commercial!! Once the women turned around I was done. You really did a good job trying to prepare people for the amount of ignorance in that commercial but it was still too much of a shock for me.
It really is amazing the messages we're ok giving our children now. I didn't mind when the song was in the movie Shrek (Donkey sang it) until my niece put it on her mp3 player. and I felt forced to really think about it as she sang along.
Neenee | April 7, 2009 4:07 PM | Permalink