Side Notes: Nelly n Kelly (Patreon)

Info on the KRS-Nelly "beef" comes from this entertaining article in The Boombox  https://theboombox.com/krs-one-vs-nelly-lamest-rap-beefs/ 

"Hot In Herre" is, er, herre  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeZZr_p6vB8  - there's something to be said about how Neptunes productions often fell short of the top but there's a better opportunity coming up.

The question about generic v differentiated brands is obviously one which occupies marketers a lot. Nelly, like most brand managers, would say his brand is unique and differentiated. KRS-One, like marketing scientist Byron Sharp, would say it is merely distinctive and there's no meaningful reason to choose Nelly over another commercial rapper.

I said nothing about the St Lunatics, Nelly's old crew - there's a parallel between Nelly and Eminem - the major labels using areas of the US that were pretty much the rap boondocks to find talented commercial prospects who'd learned their trade outside the coastal or southern spotlights. Both came with a number of variably talented sidekicks, but I don't think I've ever bothered listening to the St Ls.