The Daily Swarm

Muppet: Would you ever consider working with a dummy?
Prince: I already have. But in my business they’re called executives.

There is more. Much much more.

Update: ”lying to build your brand is a well-honed hip hop business technique” via Idolator

Now this is how to really really monetize music…

50 Cent doesn’t have to worry about how many CDs he sells ever again. Even if his next release, Curtis, sells as many copies as his last one (9.8 million), that’s still going to be play money compared to what he’s set to take home if this deal goes down as planned…

Late last week, the Coca-Cola Company announced it is buying Vitaminwater maker Glaceau for $4.1 billion in cash. 50 Cent, who has his own “Formula 50” flavor of Vitawater, cut a very savvy deal with the beverage-maker—instead of a cash payment for his endorsement he bought a stake in the company, reportedly about 10%. Now the hip-hop press isn’t always the most reliable when it comes to facts and figures, but if these numbers reported by AllHipHop prove to be true, then 50 stands to make about $400 million before the end of the year.

Frankly, we’re over it. We’ve been staring at these pictures for two weeks now. They’ve been around the world and back. People freaked. Someone got fired. Enough already.

But when you start something you’ve gotta finish it, so here goes a wrap-up of Heavensgate:

***Update: The final word(s) on ‘Heavensgate’***

The Daily Swarm has learned that Airwair Ltd., the creators of Dr. Martens famous footwear, has fired its advertising agency, Saatchi and Saatchi London, in the midst of an ongoing uproar over a poster campaign featuring the images of deceased musicians wearing their shoes in heaven.

David Suddens, CEO of Dr. Martens’ parent company AirWair Ltd., told The Daily Swarm in a phone interview that the posters were never intended to see the light of day. “We said no. It was creative that was put to us, but we didn’t like it. It doesn’t represent the company at all,” he said.

Saatchi later released a statement standing by the ads. Kate Stanners, executive creative director, Saatchi & Saatchi said, “We believe the ads are edgy but not offensive. There has been blog commentary both for and against the ads, but it is our belief that they are respectful of both the musicians and the Dr. Martens brand.”

The firestorm began on May 14, when The Daily Swarm published the posters that feature punk icons Kurt Cobain, Joe Strummer, Joey Ramone, and Sid Vicious. The rockers images were retouched by noted French commercial artist Christophe Huet who placed them in heaven with steel-toed boots.

Update: Read the full statements from Dr. Martens and Saatchi after the jump.