Rollout Roundup: The Best Marketing Rollouts of the Week
You've heard of music critics, let me introduce you to marketing rollout critics. This week we discuss something old, something new, and a single. Enjoy.
Welcome to this week’s Rollout Roundup. You can now listen to all of the Rollout Roundup music, past and present, on our Spotify playlist here.
3 Polo G - RAPSTAR (Single)
The Chicago rapper who once was thought to have a “one and done” hit with “Pop Out” has proved that he is here to stay. And he might even be the GOAT.
Strengths: Use of visuals, creative digital marketing with Einer Bankz (“ukelele guy”). Polo G has somehow managed to create yet another TikTok trend-topping audio pre-release. His lyrics were also trending on Twitter before the song even dropped. That’s that Polo G power for ya.
Polo has put out some of the most impressive content of 2020, including his “The GOAT” documentary, I’m looking forward to how he tops that in 2021, and I have faith that he will.
Weaknesses: It’s not an album. Yet…
PS - Somebody get Polo G on TikTok for real!
2 Brockhampton - ROADRUNNER (Album)
The kings of visual marketing are back.
Strengths: If you’ve read my previous columns, this will come as no surprise. VISUALS! A category where Brockhampton never disappoints. Their visuals stay on-brand but evolve over time. Whoever their creative director is (I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess its Kevin) is killing it. We love a good flirtationship with retirement, and Brockhamton surely keeps us on our toes. Will this really be their second to last album? If it’s true, I’m savoring this moment for as long as possible.
Weaknesses: This felt more like a Kevin Abstract rollout than a Brockhampton one. They could stand to use their group twitter more! We also need more from the group as a whole. Would love to see some interviews with them again, their Narduwar interview a few years back was so fun and captivating - I’d like to see that side of them resurface.
Listen here:
1 Taylor Swift - Fearless (Taylor’s Version)
Miss Taylor “Fight the Power” Swift has done it again.
Strengths: The premise of this album alone is enough for it to top the rollout charts in my opinion. The men of this filthy industry have been trying everything to hold Taylor back, and “Taylor’s Version” is her 1st place trophy. Taylor, you did it. We’ve all been waiting for this for over a year, but let’s be real, the 13+ years of nostalgia that Taylor’s classic Fearless album invokes in us will be brought up with this release. Checkmate, Taylor.
Weaknesses: Can we get a nostalgic press shoot please Taylor?? I would also love for her to do more of a press tour, but I understand that’s not how new Taylor operates. It’s cool, we’ll be hearing more from her soon.