A recently released music video for “Popular Demand” by the Clipse featured the awning of the infamous Obama Fried Chicken joint in Brownsville, Brooklyn. But in comparing versions of the video airing on MTV and elsewhere, it looks like the TV channel completely erased the restaurant’s name from the awning in the video’s opening shot.
Brokelyn, the Brooklyn blog that first reported the editing, notes it could be one of three possible reasons: copyright law, MTV advertising policy, or a more political decision that keeps MTV from dealing with the repercussions “from blaring ‘Obama Fried Chicken” across American TV screens.”
Back in April, City Councilman Charles Barron led a protest outside the location with citizens “outraged by [the] racist connection to Barack Obama and fried chicken.”
The restaurant manager fired back and said it was a tribute to the president, noting four out of five customers support the name.
A spokesperson for MTV says, “MTV did not ask for that edit to be made. Someone else other than MTV made the request.” When asked who that may have been, they simply said, “We have no idea.”
Funny, this is about the least offensive thing I have seen in a rap video…or MTV for that matter.
I love the misuse of apostrophes in Nuggets and Wings.
Insert comment about mtv showing videos.
Now that we have that out of the way, mtv regularly blurs out all logos and brand names so I don’t see this as any different.
But playing rap videos about killing people, Misogyny, drug use, etc etc is acceptable?
I remember after the Columbine shooting, MTV had several specials, to discuss the incident, guns, violence etc.
Funny thing is, during the ones I watched, they didnt mention once the single biggest purveyor/marketers of urban violence to youth, themselves.
Actually it’s none of those 3 reasons. The right of the store owner to control the use of it’s name in association with another product, in this case, a rapper and video, is why they do this. It was probably overlooked in initial editing and final approval of the rap vid and was probably brought to their attention after it aired once and people started blogging.
MTV had inauguration celebrations in 1997, and 2009. For some reason they didnt hold them in 2001 or 2005.
The Clipse sucks
Wait a minute !!!!!!!
MTV plays videos ??????
I am with #7, when did MTV go back to playing videos?
Did the writer of the story really mean to refer to this establishment as “infamous?” What did this business do to earn infamy?
#9, jgo,
What did this business do to earn infamy?
Just read their sign. They insult our President by using his name above such atrocious grammar.
#4, McCurry,
The right of the store owner to control the use of it’s name in association with another product, …
Wrong. As long as the store front is in public anyone may film anything with that (or any) store in the background. PROVIDED that the subject is not about the store or profit off of the store.
Most TV stations or shows will blur registered logos and names, not to protect themselves, but because that company didn’t pay for the advertising. Reebok won’t advertise on a program where someone is wearing a Nike shirt for obvious reasons.
There is nothing this store could do to stop the video from filming in front of their store as long as the video wasn’t profiting off of the store. Even then there are ways around that. Often videos will show private or commercial yet publicly recognized building or landmarks such as Empire States Building or Sears Tower for any of many reasons.
For the record, Brazilian MTV (whatever that means) hasn’t played videos in many years, too. It’s just excruciatingly boring inane talk. Maybe it’s a franchise requirement?
how is this racist? A black person, unprovoked, told me they love fried chicken. I don’t see the problem here. Obama is a tool though, so more power to ’em.