I've just finished reviewing two books on knowledge spillovers, innovation clusters, and high-technology development. One strain of this literature focuses on the role that industrial clusters play in the diffusion of innovation across firms. I haven’t seen much on how innovation gets adapted into different industries although I’m sure that some work exists on that topic.

Anyway, this got research has got me thinking about country artists Big & Rich who are known for creating "country music without prejudice." Basically, this means they borrow inspiration from other genres of music, especially hip-hop.

While I find their incorporation of hip-hop elements into the music interesting, it seems clear to me that the lessons they have learned from the rise of hip-hop to the top of the pop charts is much more than including some rapping in a song. Big & Rich appear to have adopted the hip-hop model of having a well-defined group or "crew" which they call the "Muzik Mafia." They used their first album and tour to spotlight some of the Muzik Mafia such as Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy and then used that exposure to spin-off those artists into their own solo projects.

Compare their approach to the approach taken by a top hip-hop producer and artist, Dr. Dre (Big & Rich are also producers, as well as artists). When Dr. Dre left N.W.A. he didn't try to make a Dr. Dre album with the sole intent of making his name as big as possible. He also tried to diversify by spotlighting talent he had discovered such as Snoop Dogg, The Lady of Rage, Tha Dogg Pound, and RBX. All of these artists went on to have solo careers, some more influential than others. Regardless, their success benefited Dr. Dre financially and in terms of increased reputation.

Two things will be interesting about Big & Rich's emulation of this technique. First, will they be able to substain it? As secondary artists become too large, the "crew" begins to dissolve. Second, will we begin to see other country artist adopt this technique? My bet is no. Two few country producers are also artists, and I think that is an important element for this approach to work. [See also, Puffy and his spin-offs: Mase, Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack, etc.].