Music videos, in particular, have been accused of promoting crack use. In the 1980s and 1990s, some music videos featured artists using or referencing crack, which critics argued helped to normalize the behavior. For example, the 1986 music video for “Crack” by the rap group Crack Down featured explicit references to crack use.
In the 1980s, crack cocaine began to emerge as a highly addictive and potent form of cocaine. As the substance spread rapidly through urban communities, concerns about its impact grew. Meanwhile, advertisements for various products and services continued to appear in media outlets, some of which were criticized for promoting or trivializing crack use.
One of the most infamous examples of a “crack ad” is the 1986 advertisement for the film “ Scarface,” which featured a notorious scene in which the main character, Tony Montana, snorts cocaine. The ad was criticized for glamorizing cocaine use and was eventually pulled from television.