Lute x McDonald's

Discover how authenticity, music, and a passion for classic cars blend as smoothly as a McDonald’s Iced Coffee in this fresh collaboration between McDonald’s and rising rap star Lute.

Muscle Cars, Music, and McDonald's

Let’s talk about the importance of authenticity in music partnerships. This is especially crucial when working with an iconic brand like McDonald’s. Authenticity is much easier to achieve when you run campaigns with a regional focus. For this campaign, we’re zeroing in on the Southeast—specifically North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The objective? To promote the MyMcDonald’s Rewards App and feature McDonald’s Iced Coffee in the creative.

We wanted an artist who was not only local to the area but whose music was deeply rooted in its cultural influences, someone with a strong fanbase and a compelling personal story to bring into the creative. Enter Lute—a platinum-selling rapper signed to J. Cole’s record label, Dreamville, with over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. But there’s more to Lute than just his music; he’s a passionate car enthusiast who was immersed in the car scene long before he entered the music world. This love for cars became a fantastic element to incorporate into the campaign.

Lute brings an authentic charisma to the ad creative, showcasing his absolutely beautiful classic muscle car. And no, I'm not naming the car brand or model—this is a McDonald's campaign, after all. If you're curious, go watch the content! But seeing him drive up, lay down a track in the studio, and sip on a McDonald's Iced Coffee? It makes me want to grab a McDonald’s Iced Coffee for my own late-night . . . blog writing! Not quite as cool, I know—but hey, I never claimed to be, so stop staring and keep reading.

A Life Lived Authentically

For a deeper dive into Lute’s world, check out this video showcasing his car obsession, then listen to a few of his top songs on Spotify. Trust me, this will give you a fuller appreciation of the creative and storytelling behind the campaign content.

And here’s a treat for Lute’s fans: the campaign features an unreleased song, “92 Vette.” Yes, you heard that right! The only place to hear this track is in the McDonald’s campaign content. Fun fact: I just realized there’s a Corvette in that car video I told you to check out...and it looked like it was in the early stages of restoration—could “92 Vette” be inspired by that very car? I guess we’ll need to do some digging and write a follow-up article once I find out!

Lute’s music carries an unexpected soulfulness. His beats are fresh and distinct, guaranteed to get you vibing, but it’s his lyrics that truly stand out—stripping away any pretense or bravado to go straight to the heart. As he puts it in one of the campaign videos, he wants “to be as honest with my music as what you see in person.” And that’s exactly how his songs feel—like an open conversation about his life set to a sick beat. To get a sense of his style, I’d suggest starting with “GED (Gettin Every Dolla)” and “Sleep Deprived.” But if I had to pick a personal favorite, it would be “Be Okay” from his Gold Mouf album. It’s raw and real, and when the chorus hits with those layered vocals, it feels like a community lifting you up. It definitely gives me all the feels.

The Partnership of Destiny

Follow Lute on Social / Streaming: