Teens are being exposed to the brand names of alcohol through rap music at an alarming rate, according to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Dartmouth University. The study examined nearly 800 of the most popular songs released between 2005 and 2007. Researchers found that among the songs mentioning alcohol, about 25 percent—most often in rap music—used brand names. That translates (researchers say) to teens hearing about 3.4 references to alcohol in any given hour they listen to music. Most of those call outs were positive: About 63.4 percent used an alcohol brand name as an allusion to wealth; 58.5 percent connected it with sex; 51.2 percent with luxury objects and 48.8 percent to partying. Scientists contend these references amount to product-placement advertising—advertising that can be quite effective. In 2002, Busta Rhymes released a piece called “Pass the Courvoisier,” after which sales of Courvoisier cognac increased nearly 19 percent. (ABC News)