As many legacy brands work to address the racist histories of their marketing icons, Good Humor's ice cream jingle is getting a catchy new remix.
That's because the earworm that once made children in the vicinity of an ice cream truck salivate is a rendition of "Turkey in the Straw," a song that has its roots in racist minstrel shows where it was usually performed with dehumanizing lyrics.
So Good Humor tapped Wu-Tang Clan mastermind RZA to craft a new tune, and the producer of hits like "C.R.E.A.M." and "Ice Cream" drew on jazz, hip-hop and trap styles to give the genre of sonic confectionary marketing a much-needed modern makeover. Listen to it here.
While Good Humor itself hasn't owned an ice cream truck in decades, the song will be available to drivers everywhere through a partnership with ice cream truck music box manufacturer Nichols Electronics, which will also provide resources on the racist history of "Turkey in the Straw."
Patrick Kulp
Emerging Tech Reporter, Adweek
[email protected]
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