Interview on Snoop Dogg and the BBC

Posted by on Feb 5, 2016 in Critic's Area | 0 comments

Samita Nandy

Samita Nandy | Jeremiah Hill Photography

“The mass appeal of a persona or event, such as the Snoop Dogg petition, is based on existing social contexts and not necessarily ‘luck’, as the myth of stardom would confirm. The attention that Snoop Dogg has received is not new. He has already gained visibility: he is a well-known rapper that has extraordinary talent, bizarre impressions, and eccentric looks, while he gives voice to environmental issues and animals in ordinary ways. His famous participation in Jimmy Kimmel Live sketch “Plizzanet Earth” is a good example of this visibility that supports news commodity. What makes this petition particularly appealing is the question of his ‘authenticity’ that is central to the paradox of the ‘extraordinary’ and ‘ordinary’ of any celebrity: is Snoop Dog really comparable to Sir David Attenborough? In some ways, the claim that Snoop Dogg should replace Sir Attenborough is constructed, bizarre, and not called by the BBC. Indeed Snoop Dogg loves nature and animals, but so do many heroic environmentalists and animal rights activists that may not have the eccentricity and funds for public relations campaigns. What makes Snoop Dog more credible and appealing to the mass? The variable influence the media may have on mass appeal and vice versa is central to the sensation and commodification of the petition as newsworthy content.”

Samita Nandy

See further coverage on Humber News:
http://humbernews.ca/thousands-sign-petition-to-have-snoop-dogg-narrate-planet-earth/
https://storify.com/HCDailyPlanet/thousands-sign-to-have-snoop-dogg-narrate-planet-e

 

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  1. Media Coverage: CMCS on Humber News | CMCS - […] For additional views by CMCS Director Dr Samita Nandy, visit https://samitanandy.wordpress.com/2016/02/05/interview-on-snoop-dogg-and-the-bbc/ […]

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