Music

You can now find Usher songs at the bottom of Honey Nut Cheerios boxes at Walmart

by Mark Teo

The music industry, at least traditionally, measured successes by album sales. But as album sales faltered, digital downloads proliferated, and streaming-music services rose, things have become very, very strange for the industry: To date, in 2014, only one album, Talylor Swift’s 1989, has gone platinum. Bands, instead of recording live sessions, are recording with Walmart. Cash-strapped indie rock bands are now staying at houses sponsored by Sour Patch Kids, and are paying rent in tweets. And now, instead of selling singles digitally, bands are resorting to placing songs at the bottom of cereal boxes.

Or at least Usher is.

It’s not the first time that Honey Nut Cheerios—and their swagged-out bee mascot, Buzz—have become involved with music. First, they teamed up with Nelly to produce a commercial called “Bee Got Swag.” (We weren’t kidding when we called him swagged-out.) Next, they made a commercial with Usher, featuring his song “Clueless.” And now, while we’re all waiting for his upcoming album, UR, the General Mills brand has announced that they’re stepping into the world of music publishing.

Yes, you can now find “Clueless” at the bottom of specially marked boxes. Of Honey Nut Cheerios. At Walmart. If you think we’re kidding, we assure you we’re not—check the Honey Nut Cheerios x Usher collab below.