Remember when rap music wasn’t good for you? Like, when a bunch of politicians used to ostracize those who bumped anything that wasn’t deemed morally acceptable? Well, times have changed – kind of. In hopes of reducing smoking among young teenagers between the ages of 12-17, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is using hip-hop to promote self-control.
On Tuesday, the agency revealed its budget of $128 million for a new anti-smoking campaign geared towards kids and minorities, Mashablereports. By squeezing the swag out of hip-hop culture and using it to convince kids that smoking isn’t cool, the agency will use TV ads, social media, and events to make the point crystal clear.
In a statement, Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, said the following: “We know from our research that remaining in control is an important pillar of hip-hop culture. But smoking represents a loss of control, so tobacco use is actually in conflict with that priority.”
The FDA is using creative tag-lines to bolster their mission in hopes of making an impact. “CEO of Independence” and “Fresh and In Control” are some examples for its “Fresh Empire” campaign.
Despite breeding misogynistic lyrics and crude content, the FDA is seeing the positivity behind rap and how it can serve as an important tenet in the lives of many young kids.
Check out some of the ads below and above; they will debut next Tuesday, Oct 13, during the BET Hip-Hop Awards.
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Lil Kim & Biggie dated one another during their rise to fame (even while Biggie was married to singer Faith Evans), until his 1997 murder.
Source:Instagram
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2. Yo-Yo and Tupac
It's no secret how close rappers Yo-Yo and Tupac were. They toured together, battled one another, and really took a public liking to each other over the years.
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3. Treach & Pepa
Who could forget about Treach & Pepa? Here is a photo of the historical couple back in 1995.
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4. Lil Scrappy & Diamond
Lil Scrappy & Diamond were hip-hop royalty in Atlanta. Check them out looking like babies back in 2007.
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5. Diamond & Soulja Boy
Diamond also dated Soulja Boy. Here they are at the 2012 BET Awards.
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6. Trina & Lil Wayne
We'll never forget the "Baddest Bitch" and her Hot Boy, Lil Wayne, taking over the airwaves and Miami. Don't trip!
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7. French Montana & Trina
French Montana is now known for having dated Khloe Kardashian, but before Khlo-Money, French dated her friend Trina.
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8. Meek Mill & Nicki Minaj
Nicki & Meek Mill are newbies to this rap-on-rap game, but they might just make it through.
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9. Papoose & Remy Ma
Still together, Papoose even held his woman Remy Ma down through a six-year prison bid. That's love!
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10. Iggy Azalea & A$AP Rocky
Iggy Azalea began dating A$AP Rocky in 2011, proving her love by tatting his name on her hand. She had the tattoo crossed out and removed when they broke up in 2012.
Source:Instagram
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11. Foxy Brown & Rick Ross
"@richforever☺️"… Foxy Brown nearly killed Ashanti when she believed the R&B star dated both of her exes (Rick Ross and then Spragga Benz). In this photo, the BAWSE shows the ill na na a little birthday love & she accepts.
Source:Getty
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12. Jay Z & Beyonce
Bonus: In case you forgot, Bey rapped her ass off on her "In Da Club" remix… "I'm the chick with that hot shit, Manolo Blahniks…"
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