Checkout Common’s PROMO advertisement for the 2008 Lincoln Navigator. If you recall, last month we reported that Common signed an endorsement deal with Lincoln to promote the 2008 Navigator. No one really knew what to expect, but I think the PROMO was tastefully done. Common managed to maintain his artistic integrity better than most who’ve traveled down the same road. Shout out to Chi-town!
Common’s 2008 Lincoln Navigator PROMO Advertisement
Published December 6, 2007 Endorsement Deals 3 CommentsTags: 2008 Lincoln Navigator, Common, Finding Forever, Promo
3 Responses to “Common’s 2008 Lincoln Navigator PROMO Advertisement”
- 1 Trackback on December 6, 2007 at 5:01 pm
- 2 Trackback on December 26, 2007 at 10:49 pm
I am disheartened and enraged by Common’s Lincoln commercial. The public knows of him only what he’s shared. His lyrics present a conscientious, thoughtful individual, yet his new fraternization with Lincoln supports the very same disease his lyrics condemn. His words are empty when his actions betray them. Can he really reconcile such hypocrisy?
“The weak hearted become Babylon puppets…”
In Common’s rhymes, he speaks about young people striving for the excess they’re teased by; enticed into desiring that which directly results in their continued poverty [financial and spiritual]. With his association with Lincoln, he’s legitimizing unprincipled impulsiveness; and encouraging compromising one’s welfare for an obscene indulgence. An indulgence we have gone to war over [and over again]. Is it worth killing and dying for?
The paradoxes of this American life may excuse confusion around materialism, desire, self-indulgence and entitlement, but there is NO excuse for the blatant hypocrisy of speaking the truth and then contributing directly to its defeat.
Lincoln’s partnership with Common seems to be nothing but pure greed. Using the children his organization strives to help in order to push their last ditch effort before the mainstream “green”-washing, is unconscionable. To say nothing of the bad taste in which Common’s efforts are represented; driving through Chicago, reminding the less-advantaged of their smallness as he reminisces about riding the L, the kids watch him pull up in his shiny ride, and as he reads to the children, he says, “My dream is to help others achieve their dreams,” then he returns to his enticing lifestyle in his gluttonous monster truck…it’s absurd.
Would his impact be more clear if it were cigarettes he was handing to children? It’s the same net [and gross] effect. He’s selling them crack, then offering them rehab. When 50 sells the Devil’s wasteful products — while equally reprehensible — at least it’s aligned with how he presents himself: solely about the money, guns and pussy.
The Common Ground Foundation’s mission states, “Common’s social-conscience message serves as inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. The Foundation is committed to empowering youth in urban neighborhoods and providing life skills needed to achieve their dreams.” And now, with Common’s endorsement, their hopes and dreams will ride in a Lincoln Navigator. It’s not only hypocritical, it’s unethical.
Common said, “I believe that this union will be creative, fresh, and classic. Most importantly, it’s a way for Lincoln and me to give back to the community and people in need.” The money — and the benefits he thinks he’s receiving — from his deal with the Devil don’t offset a fraction of the damage caused by pumping this wanton “luxury.” The new Lincoln Navigator gets 12 miles to the gallon, consumes 24.5 barrels of petroleum and emits 13.1 tons of CO2 each year, successfully contributing to the genocide of Middle Eastern people, and the relentless destruction of our ecosystem. What will become of the children’s hopes and dreams in the wake of these crises?
Ford Motor Company makes a hybrid SUV. Did they only offer Common “alignment” with his organization if he pushed their gas-guzzling, war-profiteering Lincoln brand to his fans and the impressionable youth he strives to serve?
It is truly a challenge in these times to resist the bullshit, but the righteous especially must expose and reject hypocrisy. If we exploit each other to get “ahead,” those underserved children won’t survive to realize their dreams.
Common demeans himself and all of us by speaking about justice and simultaneously promoting the ultimate injustice; greed, excessive consumption, and flagrant manipulation to purchase a product which only benefits its corporate sponsors…at the expense of this planet and all its inhabitants.
He must have accepted this deal because he thinks the money will allow him to support his goals. However noble they are, ultimately it’s a LOSE, LOSE situation for him and those he is trying to support, as they learn important lessons about materialism, self-indulgence and consumption, and very little about community building and right conduct — yet it’s a big WIN for Ford. Congratulations, Common, on your 21st century chains.
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Ford’s press release detailing his commitment [a LONG list compared to their mere "alignment" with his organization]:
http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=27219