HTC One (M8) Rap Video: Doc G Takes Shots At Apple, Samsung

What do rappers and smartphone makers have in common? They go out of their way to let everyone know they are the best in the game. That’s exactly what HTC Corp. did Tuesday when it released its own rap video, boasting about its HTC One (M8) smartphone.

While the video doesn’t exactly get points for quality or originality, it does get a message across; HTC is trying to increase awareness of its devices in the U.S. What better way than to utilize one of the most American of music genres?

In the video, which is reminiscent of those from the parody group Lonely Island, Greg "Doc G" Carr of P.M. Dawn takes shots at rival devices such as the Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy line and Apple Inc.’s iPhone 6. “We own the universe, your Galaxy is overrated,” Doc G raps as a man in an HTC One M8 costume bumps a man in a Samsung Galaxy S5 outfit.

The rap accuses Apple of changing its glass design to metal after the HTC released devices with a metal unibody, which have been considered some of the best designed phones on the market. “It took you copycats six times to get it right,” Doc G said.

While HTC may think quite highly of itself, sales figures for the M8 pale in comparison to those of the Samsung Galaxy S5 and iPhone 6. Reports indicate that the device sold just over 500,000 handsets by May 2014, though HTC has not released official figures. In comparison, the Galaxy S5 sold about 12 million handsets during its first three months on the market, while the iPhone 6 (and iPhone 6 Plus) sold 10 million handsets during their first weekend of availability.

But like many foreign smartphone makers currently struggling with sales, HTC may begin employing more aggressive marketing strategies to get its devices noticed more, particularly in the U.S.

HTC is expected to launch its 2015 flagship, the HTC One (M9) next month during Mobile World Congress.