Back in the day, there was a major uprising in the black community, nay, the hip-hop community, when Tommy Hilfiger said he didn't want black people wearing his clothing. Now it seems (approx. 15 years later) another major industry is declaring the same sentiment. Jean-Claude Rouzaude, the former manager of Roederer Estates, the company that makes the popular celebrity champagne, Cristal, has told The Economist (summer edition) of the discomfort the publicity from hip-hop stars has given them. He even went as far as saying that he's sure Krug and Dom Perignon wouldn't mind taking the hip-hop industry's business from them.
Jay Z is now boycotting the label and refuses to sell Cristal in his New York Club, 40/40, and has replaced it with Krug and Dom. A wise move, in my opinion. I will no longer patronize that company's products, either, and I will tell everyone I know who drinks it to stop. Anyone whose goal it is to "sip Cris in da club" will also be informed of this travesty. For all the progress the media keeps claiming we've made in race relations, there is always someone or something out there to remind us that it's not. If anything, race relations are inflamed. Is this 2006 or 1906? And why should Roederer Estates care who is buying from them? Do they realize that the hip-hop industry makes up a major portion of their annual sales? If they don't realize the impact that hip-hop has on the world, and in marketing and commerce, they will be learning the hard way. Will I feel sorry for them? Hmmm...in the immortal words of Whitney Houston: "Hell to tha no!"
View the inflammatory article here: Bubbles and Bling
2 comments:
i only drink Cisco and nighttrane so i think i am good.
chu
That's disgusting to hear. I understand your frustration!
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