Rapper-Singer Endorsements

Some lucrative co-signs that made dollars and sense.

Music Stars and Their Endorsement Deals - Being a household name in music these days means being a brand name as well. Listeners often look to celebrities for lifestyle guidance, and companies seeking to establish or enhance their connection with audiences will tap our favorite artists. For example, Jay Z is teamed up with former Def Jam exec Kevin Liles and his new Go N'Syde company for Hov's own 40/40 beverage. The Arnold Palmer (a lemonade and iced tea mash-up) drink is on shelves now in 7,500 Duane Reade and Walgreens stores around the country and features a unique way to connect with Jay-related content.Read on to check out other major rapper or singer brand endorsements.(Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

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Music Stars and Their Endorsement Deals - Being a household name in music these days means being a brand name as well. Listeners often look to celebrities for lifestyle guidance, and companies seeking to establish or enhance their connection with audiences will tap our favorite artists. For example, Jay Z is teamed up with former Def Jam exec Kevin Liles and his new Go N'Syde company for Hov's own 40/40 beverage. The Arnold Palmer (a lemonade and iced tea mash-up) drink is on shelves now in 7,500 Duane Reade and Walgreens stores around the country and features a unique way to connect with Jay-related content.Read on to check out other major rapper or singer brand endorsements.(Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Mariah Carey for Go N'Syde - While Jay Z has his 40/40 drink marketed towards sports-loving males, Mariah Carey and Kevin Liles created a special Go N'Syde for the ladies. Fittingly, Mimi's drink is called "Butterfly" and comes in a cute pink bottle. Each bottle retails for $1.99 at Duane Reade and Walgreens, and both she and Jay have a special endorsement that earns them profit on every bottle sold.(Photo: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com)

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Mariah Carey for Go N'Syde - While Jay Z has his 40/40 drink marketed towards sports-loving males, Mariah Carey and Kevin Liles created a special Go N'Syde for the ladies. Fittingly, Mimi's drink is called "Butterfly" and comes in a cute pink bottle. Each bottle retails for $1.99 at Duane Reade and Walgreens, and both she and Jay have a special endorsement that earns them profit on every bottle sold.(Photo: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com)

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Kelly Rowland for Caress - Kelly Rowland announced in March 2014 that she will be the new face of Caress beauty products. The deal includes Rowland, who is known to slay in the beauty department, sharing her beauty secrets with fans.(Photo: Caress)

Nicki x Myx - Nicki Minaj was already in the mix when she launched her Myx fruit-infused Moscato beverages in 2011. With two albums under her belt, a budding fragrance collection, a clothing line and a host of other business ventures, teaming up with television producer Mona Scott-Young for Myx was just another notch in her belt. The wine cooler, which comes in an assortment of flavors, has been taking the country by storm, expanding to more than a dozen states nationwide.(Photo: MYX Fusions)

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Nicki Minaj for Myx Fusion - Nicki Minaj signed on to endorse Myx Fusion, Moscato's new single serve, fruit-infused wine beverage in 2011. While Nicki is endorsing the brand, she also happens to be a co-owner alongside producer Mona Scott-Young. Since it launched in 2011, Myx has expanded to include availability in more than a dozen states nationwide and counting.(Photo: Courtesy MYX Fusions)

Snoop Dogg for Monster Energy Drink - Snoop knows what's bubblin'. The legendary rapper signed a deal with Monster Energy Drink and set off the partnership by giving away a 1963 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, customized by DUB magazine with a Monster Energy paint job. (Photos from left: Todd Oren/Getty Images, Courtesy of Monster Energy)

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Snoop Dogg for Monster Energy Drink - Snoop knows what's bubblin'. The legendary rapper signed a deal with Monster Energy Drink and set off the partnership by giving away a 1963 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, customized by DUB magazine with a Monster Energy paint job. (Photos from left: Todd Oren/Getty Images, Courtesy of Monster Energy)

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Kelly Rowland for Empress - In August 2011 Diddy enlisted Kelly Rowland to be the face of his latest perfume, Empress. The fragrance is poised to be the female answer to his male scent, I Am King.(Photo © Donna Ward / Retna Ltd)

Photo By Donna Ward / Retna Ltd

Meek Mill for Puma - MMG's Meek Mill signed a deal to be the newest face of Puma sneakers, and he repped hard for the sneakers after Reebok dropped his bawse, Ross, following controversy over his "U.O.E.N.O." lyrics. Said Mill, "F--- Reebok, we wear Pumas."  (photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Meek Mill for Puma - MMG's Meek Mill signed a deal to be the newest face of Puma sneakers, and he repped hard for the sneakers after Reebok dropped his bawse, Ross, following controversy over his "U.O.E.N.O." lyrics. Said Mill, "F--- Reebok, we wear Pumas." (photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Mary J. Blige for Burger King - Mary J. Blige starred in a commercial for Burger King's crispy chicken snack wraps. The ad faced major criticism for feeding into racial stereotypes — and for being awkward, corny and just plain weird. It was quickly pulled. (Photo: Courtesy Burger King)

Nicki x Pepsi - Nicki Minaj's brand continued to expand all the way to Pepsi Co. The "Pills and Potions" singer signed a reported seven-figure promotional deal with Pepsi in 2012. The agreement led Nicki to appear in commercials and Internet advertisements featuring her "Moment 4 Life" track. However, the deal ended when Nicki signed on as a judge for American Idol, mainly because Coca-Cola, Pepsi’s biggest competitor, sponsored the show.(Photo: Kevin Winter/DCNYRE2012/Getty Images for DCP)

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Nicki Minaj for Pepsi - Nicki Minaj also signed on to become the face of Pepsi. The deal was reportedly worth millions of dollars, and Minaj has shot a commercial for the drink, but word is her deal with American Idol deaded the agreement. On the FOX TV show, she was obligated to drink from a Coca-Cola cup, Pepsi's biggest competitor.(Photo: Kevin Winter/DCNYRE2012/Getty Images)

Rick Ross - Ross gave fans a huge scare in October of 2012 when he suffered two seizures in as many days due to "sleep deprivation." The rapper got back to work shortly after, boasting a clean bill of health from his doctors, but once again missed two shows soon after — in Houston and Guyana — citing health issues. Today, Ricky Rozay is back and better than ever — he even lost more than 100 pounds to date!(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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Rick Ross for Reebok - Even though Reebok dropped Rick Ross after activists called him out for what was deemed a "date rape lyric," the Maybach Music founder said this: "As far as myself and Reebok we got a healthy situation." The Classics campaign included TV commercial spots. We'll see what may come next. (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Andre 3000 for Gillette - Andre 3000 got drafted as an actor to become one of the faces of Gillette's new Fusion ProGlide Styler campaign (fellow Hollywood fellas Adrien Brody and Gael Garcia Bernal were the other two). Ice cold.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

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Eminem, on leaving drugs alone...  - “Except for the heroin I shot up this morning. Except for that, I’m clean. [Laughs]”  (Photo: Scott Gries/PictureGroup)

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Eminem for Chrysler - Eminem and Chrysler scored one of the best Super Bowl commercials in 2011 with their "Imported From Detroit" ads. The series, which features Em extolling the virtues of the Detroit-based car company, attracted more than 10.5 million viewers on YouTube, got praise from the Detroit City Council, and snagged an Emmy for the dramatic ad that touted the revival of Chrysler and Em's Motor City hometown, using one of his signature songs, "Lose Yourself."(Photo: Scott Gries/PictureGroup)

Best Hair-Rihanna - Rih Rih’s been the go-to starlet for hot hair for more than a few years now. From her signature asymmetrical bob circa “Umbrella,” her retro half-shaved ‘do to the bright red locks she wore early this year, Rihanna’s hair game stays tight. It’s no wonder that a story surfaced reporting that her stylist, Ursula Stephen, earns $22,000 per week. Sounds like money well spent. (Photo: Tom Donoghue/PictureGroup)

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Rihanna for Vita Coco - The Vita Coco brand of coconut water enlisted the Barbadian singer for their advertising campaign, which launched last summer. Pop icon Madonna, who's an investor in the company, signed on to the campaign as well. (Photo by Tom Donoghue/PictureGroup) 

Photo By Tom Donoghue/PictureGroup

T.I. - In my eyes, she’s the most beautiful woman inside and out. I wouldn’t trade her for all the sun on the beach. As much as I’ve done wrong in life, I’m convinced that I must’ve done something right to deserve a woman as great as her.

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T.I. for Chevrolet - Chevy brought in T.I. to promote their cars, specifically the new Impala, in 2006. After appearing in a few commercials alongside Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mary J. Blige, in addition to a few solo spots, Tip lost the endorsement deal in the fall of 2007 after his well-publicized arrest on gun charges. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) 

Drake vs. Playboy - U.S. District Judge Margeret M. Morrow dismissed a 2010 copyright infringement case Playboy Enterprise Inc. filed against Drake and his label Cash Money/Universal. The suit claimed that "Best I Ever Had," the rapper's breakthrough single off his popular So Far Gone EP, unlawfully sampled the 1975 song "Fallin' in Love" by the group Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds. The now-defunct label still owns the rights to the song and agreed to an undisclosed settlement.(Photo: Jeff Daly/PictureGroup)

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Drake for Sprite - Drake became the first rap rookie to join a long line of hip hop legends invited by the Coca-Cola company to promote Sprite. In a commercial for the soft drink, which debuted during the Super Bowl in 2010, Drizzy performs his hit single "Forever."(Photo by Jeff Daly/PictureGroup)

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Mary J. Blige for Chevrolet - Mary J. Blige added Chevrolet to her long list of endorsement contracts in 2007. In one commercial for the new Chevy Traverse, Mary's many different style looks throughout her career were represented, as her classic hit "Real Love" jammed in the background.(Photo by Michael Uderwood/PictureGroup)

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Mary J. Blige for Chevrolet - Mary J. Blige added Chevrolet to her long list of endorsement contracts in 2007. In one commercial for the new Chevy Traverse, Mary's many different style looks throughout her career were represented, as her classic hit "Real Love" jammed in the background.(Photo by Michael Uderwood/PictureGroup)

Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) - Nicki Minaj hit the Central Park stage to perform on Good Morning America. And she gave her followers a bit of the behind-the-scenes action.TWEET: "Doing romans revenge for the GMA crowd a capella after the cameras stopped rolling & having them spit every lyric with RAGE."(Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

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Nicki Minaj for MAC Cosmetics - MAC Cosmetics recruited Nicki Minaj to promote an exclusive, limited-edition lipstick shade ahead of the release of her highly anticipated album Pink Friday. Minaj's Barbies ordered thousands of tubes of Pink Friday 4, which was only available on Fridays up until her November 26, 2010, release date. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) - Nicki Minaj hit the Central Park stage to perform on Good Morning America. And she gave her followers a bit of the behind-the-scenes action.TWEET: "Doing romans revenge for the GMA crowd a capella after the cameras stopped rolling & having them spit every lyric with RAGE."(Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

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Nicki Minaj for MAC Cosmetics - MAC Cosmetics recruited Nicki Minaj to promote an exclusive, limited-edition lipstick shade ahead of the release of her highly anticipated album Pink Friday. Minaj's Barbies ordered thousands of tubes of Pink Friday 4, which was only available on Fridays up until her November 26, 2010, release date. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Trés Intelligent\r - Who knew Trigga would go corporate on us? The sexy-soul singer was a guest on FOX Business Network's America's Nightly Scoreboard on Monday night in New York City. (Photo by Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images)

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Trey Songz for Rocawear - After his third album, Ready produced six chart-topping singles, Trey Songz was viewed as a bankable figure. In 2010, Rocawear snagged him for their NEXT campaign, then kept him on as a rep for the brand. (Photo by Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images)

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Snoop Dogg for Metro PCS - Snoop signed on with Metro PCS to promote the Samsung Galaxy Indulge, one of their newest smart phones at the time. The rapper appeared alongside Warren G in a funny, Love Connection-inspired commercial in February 2011. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

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B.O.B  - Though he's new to the game, the rapper was born Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. in Decatur and raised playing trumpet in the Columbia High School marching band and seems poised to fill the big shoes of his predecesors Usher and T.I.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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B.o.B. for Adidas - Hustle Gang rapper B.o.B starred as a sneaker-serving chef at "Adidas Mega Diner" in a 2010 commercial. The ad also featured one of his tracks, "Magic," off his B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray album, a really good look for the then newbie. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Photo By Johnny Nunez/WireImage

Beyoncé "At Last"  - In addition to portraying James in the musical biopic Cadillac Records, Bey's cover of "At Last" was the lead single from the film's soundtrack. Bey was also honored with the privilege of singing the song live for the first dance of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at one of the inaugural balls in 2009. (Photo: Myrna Suarez/PictureGroup)

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Beyoncé for L'Oreal - Beyoncé has had a remarkable run as one of the many faces of the L'Oreal cosmetics brand. Despite a little controversy over whether or not her skin was lightened in a few of their ads for the Paris Feria hair dye, Beyoncé has proven that her partnership with the company is best described by the name of the line of long-lasting lip colors she promotes for them — Infallible. (Photo by Myrna Suarez/PictureGroup) 

Black Eyed Peas for Target - Three-time Grammy Award-winners the Black Eyed Peas teamed up with Target to promote the store and the May 2009 release of the deluxe version of their album The E.N.D.(Photo by Ian Travis Barnard/PictureGroup)

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Black Eyed Peas for Target - Three-time Grammy Award-winners the Black Eyed Peas teamed up with Target to promote the store and the May 2009 release of the deluxe version of their album The E.N.D.(Photo by Ian Travis Barnard/PictureGroup)

Photo By Photo by Ian Travis Barnard/PictureGroup

"Brainless" - Live drums and an upbeat piano melody make the track move as Eminem recounts more painful childhood memories rapping, "If you had a brain you'd be dangerous / I guess it pays to be brainless / Mama I'ma grow to be famous / And be a pain in the anus," raps Shady.(Photo: Rob Loud/Getty Images)

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Eminem for Lipton Brisk Iced Tea - Eminem had another coveted spot during 2011's Super Bowl XLV. In addition to his Emmy-winning Chrysler ad, he did a voice-over for a claymation version of himself for Lipton Brisk Iced Tea.(Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images)

Swizz Beatz - Swizz cohosted Freestyle Friday.(Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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Swizz Beatz for Reebok - Super producer Swizz Beatz revitalized sneaker company Reebok's brand when he signed on to promote their brand in 2012. Swizzy made himself a figure in fashion in his own right, appearing in a fashion feature in Complex magazine.(Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup) 

Photo By Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup

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7. Diddy Lands Deal With Diageo (2008; $100 Million) - How awesome is it to get paid $100 million to become the face of a vodka brand? In 2007, Diddy landed a deal with Diageo to develop the Ciroc brand. Since then it's turned into the vodka of choice for club go-ers, hip hop artists and pretty much anybody in between. Though hip hop artists have been endorsing alcoholic beverages for years, this was one of the first brands with a legit hip hop impresario at the helm pooling all of his resources into making it the du jour vodka brand of choice for those actively a part of the hip hop lifestyle. Years before, Dame Dash and Jay Z had tried their hands at popularizing Armadale vodka but it never quite caught on. Ciroc did. And we're pretty sure it's here to stay.  (Photo: Annette Brown/Getty Images)

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Diddy for Proactiv - Anti-acne solution company Proactiv is known for enlisting celebs to tell their survival stories. One of the most unforgettable and hilarious spots was the one featuring Diddy, in which he delivered the infamous line: "I use Proactiv because it helps to moisturize my situation and preserve my sexy." (Photo by Annette Brown/Getty Images)

Justin Timberlake on the death of racecar driver Dan Wheldon - "I was deeply saddened to hear the news on Dan Wheldon's unfortunate and untimely death. He was a great driver and a strong supporter of William Rast Racing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family in their time of loss." (Photo: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup

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Justin Timberlake for McDonalds - J.T. helped to kick off McDonald's hip hop-inspired "I'm Lovin' It" campaign. Timberlake was filmed riding around in a New York taxi on hydraulics and kicking around a McDonald's bag like a soccer ball for the first television spot. In 2003, Justin's Neptunes-produced track "I'm Lovin' It" was released in conjunction with the campaign. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

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Michael Jackson for Pepsi - In the late 1980s Pepsi scored a big win over the Coca-Cola Company when they signed Michael Jackson to promote their product. Pepsi leveraged the young star's international appeal to bring people to their brand.

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Michael Jackson for Pepsi - In the late 1980s Pepsi scored a big win over the Coca-Cola Company when they signed Michael Jackson to promote their product. Pepsi leveraged the young star's international appeal to bring people to their brand.

The People's Choice  January 5, 2011 - After hosting last year's BET Awards, Latifah went on to host the 2011 People's Choice Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Queen Latifah for CoverGirl  - Queen Latifah became one of the new faces of Cover Girl in 2006 and we don't mean just another beautiful spokesmodel. Latifah actually represented her own line of cosmetics for women of color known as the CoverGirl Queen Collection. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) 

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NellyYear: 2004 - When Nelly released his debut album, Country Grammar, in 2000, he was just another skinny kid. At some point, though, the St. Louis MC hit the gym and got ripped. Since covering Men’s Health magazine for the first time in 2004 and becoming known as a fitness enthusiast, Nelly has debuted his own workout video, Celebrity Sweat. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Nelly for Ford  - Noted car enthusiast Nelly appeared in ads for the Ford Explorer beginning in 2011. One of the commercials for the SUV featured "Gone," his duet with Kelly Rowland, and premiered during the Grammys. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

50 Cent and Bill O’Reilly and his invitation to appear on The O’Reilly Factor - “I don’t mean this in a disrespectful way but there is a huge age difference between him and the average hip hop consumer. Anyway thanks for the invite to your show old billy bobb when we become powerful enough to change the world in conversation Ill stop by lol.”\r \r(Photo credit: REUTERS/Sean Gardner/Landov)

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50 Cent for Sleek Headphones - Taking a cue from Dr. Dre, 50 Cent decided to promote his own line of headphones, "Sleek by 50." Fifty also put his money where his mouth is by becoming an investor in the company as well.(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Jay-Z - Seeking his independence, Jay-Z stepped to Universal boss, Doug Morris, and demanded to be released from Def Jam. Word is the deal was decided by a coin toss. In the end, Jay had to pay $5 million to get out of his deal.  (Photo: Fafotos / Picturegroup)

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Jay Z for HP - Jay Z proved just how strong his own personal brand is by leveraging it in a 60-second spot for HP (Hewlett Packard), in which viewers could not see his face, and could only hear his voice. For a man with 11 albums to his credit and a prime spot atop the hip hop game, it's not surprising how recognizable he is by voice alone. (fafotos/picturegroup)