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
patrick.kulp@adweek.com
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