Missy Elliott Releases ‘Pep Rally’: 3 Ways Super Bowl 50 Will Make It A Hit Song
Rapper Missy Elliott has once again proven that she is a solid musician and an impressive businesswoman!
The “WTF” rapper released her new song, “Pep Rally” on Sunday, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Keep in mind that Sunday is the same day that millions of people gathered in front of their televisions to watch the Carolina Panthers face the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50.
Why is that such an impressive business move?
The type of exposure that Super Bowl 50 drives for brands and businesses in general speaks volumes — especially the brands that invest millions of dollars in Super Bowl commercials. However, Missy Elliott has escalated herself to a new plane of exposure thanks to the Super Bowl that many of those other celebrities, brands and businesses will simply not experience.
How so?
Super Bowl 50 is going to do wonders for Missy Elliott and her song, “Pep Rally,” for three distinct reasons.
THE LYRIC
The title of Missy Elliott’s new song, “Pep Rally” is a solid form of advertising in itself, primarily because it’s a sports-related theme. When most people think about pep rallies, they think about cheerleading routines, sporting events, football games, tailgate parties — and the Super Bowl.
However, there is a bonus feature found within the lyrics of “Pep Rally” that make it even more of a marketable asset on Super Bowl 50 — a reference to the actual game!
According to Just Jared, the second verse of “Pep Rally” features numerous football references — including a direct mention of the Super Bowl.
“Rocking not stopping, bend over go ‘head touch your toes
Get it, now get it, now let your bottom scrape the floor
Bouncing and bouncing, now stop, drop, rock and roll
And yeah we get crackin’ like we up at the SUPER BOWL
Aw, quarterback on the field
Football player running yard, got skills
At the ball game, pep rally over here”
Therefore, Missy Elliott has essentially created a future hit song that will be connected to numerous sporting events. It could quickly become one of those theme songs that plays football season after football season, eventually transforming into a musical landmark that finds its way back into the musical rotation of radio play and mix tapes year after year.
THE COMMERCIAL
In addition to the football references and Super Bowl mention, Missy Elliott also has the power of Super Bowl 50 working in her corner with “Pep Rally” thanks to one particular Super Bowl commercial.
The 44-year-old rapper is within the ensemble of celebrities featured in the Amazon Super Bowl commercial from Amazon. The Super Bowl 50 commercial, which promotes the Amazon Echo, pairs Alec Baldwin against Dan Marino in a trade-off of subtle insults. As soon as the number of people watching the commercial is revealed to Missy Elliott, she quickly shifts the focus of the conversation to her new song, “Pep Rally.” Therefore, you may have seen Alec Baldwin, Dan Marino and a few other faces throughout the ad.
However, a dancing Missy Elliott and “Pep Rally” playing in the background are the last things featured in the commercial which will more than likely make them the most memorable.
THE PAST PERFORMANCE
The indirect exposure through the Super Bowl lyrical reference and the media exposure received through the Amazon Echo Super Bowl commercial may seem substantial enough to make “Pep Rally” a hit song. However, Missy Elliott still has one more trick up her sleeve that is working in her favor which is related to the big game. What is it?
Her surprise performance at Super Bowl XLIX alongside Katy Perry is being replayed and remembered by football fans and music fans alike.
While they are preparing to see Coldplay take the stage during the halftime show of Super Bowl 50, many fans and critics reflect on the numerous highlights from Katy Perry’s performance in last year’s halftime show — including the surprise cameo appearance of Missy Elliott.
With all three of these factors at work, Missy Elliott and “Pep Rally” will likely become trending topics for quite some time — more than enough time to turn the recently released “Pep Rally” into another big hit song for Missy.
[Image Credit: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images]
