The Business of "Keepin' it Real" in Hip Hop!

Authenticity is a big deal in Hip Hop. In fact, consumers purchase products and services based on authenticity.  Quality of materials, craftsmanship in design, and placement of product all play a role in how a product sells or is viewed.  When Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine developed BEATS, it was because Jimmy was able to realize with Dr. Dre that developing a consumer line of speakers was a better fit for his persona as opposed to clothes. 

When the reputation of artists is joined with engineered products what carries the weight - the reputation of the artist or the ingenuity of the product? Is BEATS successful because of Dr. Dre's authenticity as a producer? Or, is the engineering of these particular products leaps and bounds above the competition?  This is the age old debate about whether marketing makes the product or the product quality carries the marketing potential.  As engineers, its important to consider the marketability and authenticity of products as part of the product development rather than as an afterthought when the product is ready to be sold. What personas do you envision engineering products with?