Every iconic artist can be summed up in three words.
If you can’t, you’ve got a branding problem.
That doesn’t mean your music isn’t good — it means people don’t know what to do with you yet.
In 2025, when the entire world listens by vibe, mood, or playlist, you need a short, sharp, unforgettable identity. Something people can instantly understand, describe, or even dress up as.
Table of Contents
The Three-Word Rule
You should be able to describe yourself in three words — and other people should be able to too. That’s branding.
| Artist | Three Words | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Eminem | Angry White Rapper | Hoodie, fury, bars. |
| Lauryn Hill | Hippie Singer Rapper | Soul, headwrap, guitar. |
| 50 Cent | Shot, Still Smirking | Tank top, scars, chain. |
| Nicki Minaj | Pink Barbie Queen | Wig, curves, chaos. |
| Lil Wayne | Dreaded Skate Goblin | Dreads, grill, cup. |
| Tyler, The Creator | Black Alt Rapper | Hat, preppy chaos, grin. |
| André 3000 | Hippie Funk Alien | Robes, flute, freedom. |
| Lana Del Rey | Noir White Girl | Hair, eyeliner, tragedy. |
| Billie Eilish | Gen Z Goth Girl | Hoodie, green hair, whisper. |
| Post Malone | Tattooed Couch Guy | Beer, plaid, face ink. |
| Bad Bunny | Curly-Haired Colorful Reggaeton | Shades, nails, energy. |
| Kendrick Lamar | Cali Street Conscious | Hoodie, mic, focus. |
If that table made you instantly visualize each artist — that’s the point. That’s branding working.
The Halloween Test
If someone can go to a Halloween party dressed as you, you’ve done your job.
The “Halloween test” is simple: if a random person showed up in costume and everyone instantly knew who they were trying to be — that artist has nailed their identity.
- Eminem: hoodie, long white shirt, big pants
- Lauryn Hill: headwrap, denim jacket
- André 3000: technicolor pants, eccentric hat
- Billie Eilish: neon hoodie, baggy clothes, half-asleep face
- Lana Del Rey: floral crown, soft eyes
- Nicki Minaj: pink wig, Barbie attitude
- Post Malone: fake tattoos, beer in hand
- Bad Bunny: sunglasses, cropped shirt, chaos energy
If people can’t picture you, they can’t remember you.
Example: The Mediterranean Funk Trick (Sunremo)
There’s an Italian artist named Sunremo who runs a YouTube channel called Mediterranean Funk.
Their name isn’t even on it. No flashy titles, no face, no ego — just videos of scenic Italian roads, vintage convertibles, and a soundtrack that’s pure coastal groove.
You don’t even have to know who Sunremo is to know what Mediterranean Funk is about. Within ten seconds, you get it: this is music for driving through Italy at golden hour.
That’s not an accident — that’s branding. Sunremo built a clear use case for his music. He made it obvious what to do with it.
And that’s what every artist needs to understand: you either brand yourself in a way where people instantly know what to do with you, or you brand your music in a way where people instantly know what to do with it.
If you can do both, now you’re cooking with gas.
That’s the same DNA behind all the Lo-Fi, Chill Beats, and Study playlists that dominate Spotify. Those producers built their world around utility — music for studying, music for sleeping, music for driving, music for relaxing. They got out of the way. The name doesn’t matter. The vibe does.
You can take either path — the personality path or the utility path — but you have to choose one. Otherwise, you’re just noise in the scroll.
Once people are paying attention, then you can flip the script. But if you try to be André 3000 before anyone’s even noticed you, you’re just confusing people.
Your early game isn’t about showing range — it’s about teaching people how to use you. Give them a box to put you in first. Later, you can break out of it.
The Power of Repetition
Look at Mobb Deep. They were once criticized for making the same song over and over again — but that’s why they worked. They owned their lane. You heard two bars and knew exactly who it was.
In the early days, that’s what you want. Don’t be afraid of being predictable — be afraid of being forgettable.
The Exercise
- Write down three words that describe you as an artist.
- Ask three other people to do the same.
- Compare the answers.
If nobody’s answers match — your brand isn’t clear yet. Keep refining until you land on something simple, visual, and undeniable. When a stranger can describe you instantly, that’s when the real brand starts.
If you’re ready to define your look, sound, and vibe so fans instantly “get it,” check out our campaigns and services that help artists do just that:
360 Promo is a full-service music marketing, promotion, distribution and admin company. Learn more about us and what we do at 360 Promo, follow us on Instagram, and contact us to tailor a plan that works for you.