Oh no he didn't! Well, apparently everyone doesn't follow Jay-Z's lead. Jay-Z called for a boycott of Cristal champagne, after comments from Cristal's Frederic Rouzaud in an interview with Economist magazine:
Asked by the magazine if the association between Cristal and the 'bling lifestyle' could be detrimental, Rouzaud replied:"That's a good question, but what can we do? We can't forbid people from buying it. I'm sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business."
Apparently Rouzaud's view of the hip hop community doesn't bother Mr. Williams too much.
"Pharrell Williams went even further with his re quest. Along with the usual Cristal and models, the rapper ordered £200-worth of Bathing Ape street wear."
Jay-Z launches boycott of Cristal champagne [Jamaica Gleaner News]
Pharrell Breaks Boycott [The Corsair]
(Source)
Small Fry says:
All this fuss over a bottle of champagne. It's ridiculous! Aren't there bigger issues in the world than this? It's a shame that these people with so much money and power turn their backs on world issues to get all uppity about a comment from some smarmy exec at Cristal. Sheesh!
cynic says:
Aren't there bigger issues in the world than this?
-no, there aren't!
antiI says:
Follow Bill Gattes and Mr. Buffet's example. Help others. They have plenty to give away.
aishab says:
1 & 2:
This is a serious issue. That was in fact a racist comment from a from Rouzaud who- for a second- forgot the hands that were feeding him. Yes, there are other issues in the world, but so is this one! If you've ever been discriminated against, you'd know how Hov feels...if not - Shut The FU#K UP!
aishab says:
Pharell's an airhead skateboarding a$$hole.
He's trying to be a "good negro" because no one is buying his ICECREAM Kicks or Billion Dollar Boys Club apparel. I feel bad for Chad.
kat says:
aishab..that language is not necessary. I did not think his comment was racist. I think it was made by an old fuddy duddy who has no idea how much press his product gets from careful placement. This whole issue could also be a STUNT, did you consider that?
Nadia says:
Wow. People believe everything they read. Pharrell doesn't drink at all so that comment about Cristal is a lie.
fiz says:
Is he Pharrell with that hat>?
ali says:
7-Just because he ordered it doesnt mean he drank it.
4-Rap is music..it's not a race. Why is it so bad to not want to be associated with rap if you don't want to.
katy says:
I love him, but he is a fool for this one. Why give business to people who apparently don't want your business? That company does not distinguish by class in the hip hop community or black community. They see us as all all "drivel" that they dont want promoting there product probably because "dark skin" gives it a bad image. I don't care what no one says, that company is racists and so are a gazzilion others. We should start making our own and stop giving racists money.
crunchy says:
Katy-Why don't you cry about it saddlebags?
Seriously, learn how to write.
fifie says:
Since when is racist to just say " i don't like hip-hop"?
fifie says:
Since when is racist to just say Hi-Hop is not my thing?
katy says:
oh crunchy (yuck at the name). My writing is fine dear. Now you need to stop being so sensitive and move on to other blogs you loser.
katy says:
And a oh please to you "in denials" that act like hip hop or the term "urbnan" isnt just a euphemism for black culture and the black community. Lets be serious about the first thought that comes to your mind when you hear rapper? please people stop with your lies.
Erin says:
Does anyone else think that part of Beyonce's breast is showing in the picture with her singing at Radio City?
rob enderle says:
Lets be serious about the first thought that comes to your mind when you hear rapper?
Dumb, illiterate, mysoginist black guy who can barely rhyme like a 7 year old.
Why? What comes to your mind?
If I was Mr. tightass, I wouldnt want my product associated with that scene either. Its not like its a huge market of that this publicity really helps sales since most rap fans can barely afford their crack, never mind champagne.
I also wouldnt want NASCAR fans either so you can stuff you racism comment where it smells funnier.
I wouldnt be caught dead with NASCAR hillbillies just like I woouldnt want to be associated with the lowlifes that infest rap. (yes, I kknow Chuck D and the Roots but the Jay-z, Snoop, 50cents and so on are slimier than a the head of a senatorial oversight commitee.
Considering the astronomical teenage pregnancies, the fatherless homes, the fact that a third of black men are either in jail or in the system, that latinos are going to take more and more place, the fact that inner cities are pits of despair and black cities like Detroit have an adult population where 50% of them are illiterate,
maybe blacks should worry more about things other than whether some overpriced piss water company is giving proper respect.
Black america is drowning and in the meanwhile the clowns who benefit from the status quo use their notoriety to fight for causes that woudl have made civil rights leader of the 60's wince.
Ac1d8urn says:
I don't blame the Cristal guy one bit for not wanting his product to be associated with those people. Its not that 99 percent of the hip hop community is black, its that they're trashy, uncouth, and low class. Just because they wear 'bling' & drive Hummers doesn't mean they're respectable. They also carry guns, start crap with anyone who looks at them, and have gang associations. They're a bunch of sorry thugs who got rich by rapping about pimps & hos. I would not want a product of mine associated with such people either!
Tia says:
ANS WHO THE HELL IS JAY-Z? LAST I CHECKED IT WAS A FREE COUNTRY. THE AMERICAN GOVT. DOESN'T CARE FOR BLACK PEOPLE EITHER. I DON'T SEE Y'ALL LEAVING AMERICA???
katy says:
Ron I loved you as Bruno on the FX show Black.White!