In the world of extravagant Super Bowl commercials, Kanye West’s recent advertisement took a starkly different direction. While other brands reportedly spent millions of dollars on glossy productions and A-list celebrity endorsements, West, known for his controversial and unconventional choices, filmed his commercial from the backseat of a car using his cell phone. This low-budget approach certainly caught people’s attention and sparked a debate over whether it was a stroke of genius or a waste of money.
Rather than opting for a high-production value ad like many other brands, Kanye West’s commercial stands out for its dark and grainy aesthetic. Filming himself with $850,000 custom titanium dentures, the rapper appeared to be struggling to speak comfortably with his tooth bling. He admitted that he had spent all his budget on securing the commercial spot and consequently had no money left for the actual production. This departure from the traditional Super Bowl ad formula raised eyebrows and left viewers curious about West’s intentions.
Considering that Super Bowl commercials can cost up to $7 million for just 30 seconds of airtime, it is no surprise that West’s low-budget approach is generating buzz. While it remains unclear whether his ad ran in all markets, it is evident that West prioritized getting his message across rather than producing a glossy commercial. With his quirky and unfiltered style, he implored viewers to visit Yeezy.com, spelling out the website’s name and promising to display it at the bottom of the screen. The simplicity and directness of this strategy resonate with West’s brand image.
Although West’s commercial lacked production value, it did not overlook the promotional aspect. Towards the end of the spot, he showcased his sock-like, foldup Yeezy Pods shoes, priced at just $20. This low-priced item reflects the overall cost-conscious theme of West’s advertisement. Additionally, his website features other affordable products like the “Wet” tank, worn by his wife Bianca Censori in recent paparazzi pictures, and shirts promoting his latest album, “Vultures.” By aligning his merchandise with the low-budget aesthetic of the commercial, West creates a cohesive marketing strategy.
While his commercial may have been unconventional and cost-effective, Kanye West’s outfit for the Super Bowl itself was anything but. He sported a vintage 1996 Alexander McQueen crucifix mask as a homage to the late designer, who passed away on February 11, 14 years ago. This bold fashion choice, paired with a black leather jacket, gloves, and coordinating pants, made a statement and showcased West’s unique sense of style. By combining his personal fashion choices with his commercial appearance, West reinforces his brand image and garners attention both on and off the football field.
As news of Kanye West’s low-budget Super Bowl ad spread, social media platforms became a battleground of opinions. Some users criticized the rapper for spending millions of dollars on a commercial that could have been posted on social media for free. Others questioned the wisdom of spending $7 million on a 30-second spot but nothing on the production itself. Despite the mixed responses, some fans praised the advertisement as “genius,” claiming it was the greatest Super Bowl commercial they had ever seen. Regardless of the polarizing reactions, one thing is certain: Kanye West knows how to get people talking.
In a sea of extravagant and oversaturated Super Bowl commercials, Kanye West’s low-budget approach stands out. By filming the ad using his cell phone and focusing his budget on securing the commercial spot, West created a unique and unconventional advertisement. Regardless of whether viewers consider it a genius move or a waste of money, one thing is undeniable: Kanye West’s unconventional choices always elicit strong reactions and keep his name in the conversation.