Cristal & Rappers
Certain rap singers and hip-hop stars are banning the Cristal champagne from their nightclubs or from regular use. It seems they are bit peeved that Frederic Rouzaud, the newly appointed manager director of Louis Roederer, the 230-year-old champagne house that makes Cristal, did not appreciate hip-hop's connection to the brand.
The Economist asked Rouzaud if its association with hip-hop's "bling" lifestyle could be detrimental to its image. He replied, "That is a good question but what can we do? We can't forbid people from buying it. I'm sure Don Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have the business."
It seems some black singers did not like the response. Jay-Z whined that Cristal owed them millions of dollars for free publicity by linking their wine with the good life in hit songs. He says, "Anything else but a thank you is dismissive, insulting, and racist." Other stars doing the same include Beyonce, Lil Kim, and Jamie Foxx.
One exception is Malcolm X Abrams, a leading writer on black culture, said it was sad that, in the face of real problems such as poverty and disease, people were worked up about an "overpriced" drink and a "casual dis by a snooty Frenchmen."
Here! Here! Was Rouzaud being racist about it? Nope, he just felt that rappers waste the champagne by spraying it all around in their music videos instead of sipping it like actual gentlemen. In any case, the average person would not even consider buying a Cristal bottle since it costs several hundred of dollars.
Another way to get Jay-Z and his friends into the news.
Times Online - Bubbly bursts as bling crowd desert Cristal over ‘racism’
Comments
Posted by:
Posted on: July 13, 2006 10:23 AM
I have to disagree. Any publicity is good publicity and Rouzard is clueless.
Nowadays, nearly every American under the age of 30 has seen "Cristal" in a video.
Esp. upper middle class young adults who make up a large portion of the rap audience.
And when those kids go to Las Vegas, AC, or celebrate New Year's, weddings, etc., the one thing they love to do is to "pop open the Cristal"...just like they see Jay-Z and other rappers do in videos.
They certainly aren't asking for Rothschild's wine (Opal). It's the same "class" (or better) than Cristal but they've never heard of it because Jay-Z never pours that on women (lol. prolly because it's a red wine. Not the same effect)
M. Anthony
Flower Delivery
Posted by:
Posted on: July 13, 2006 10:31 AM
Ha ha, well I wouldn't use Jay-Z as a role model. I couldn't afford all that jewelry.
Posted by:
Posted on: July 13, 2006 10:42 AM
Jay Z the "rap video persona"?
or Jay Z the multi-million dollar music industry owner/producer?
It would be great if people like Jay-Z, Puffy (or is it P. Diddy? err. Diddy? lol) told kids they grew up in middle class families and then went to college and worked their butts off to build huge companies.
Unfortunately that would ruin their "street cred" ;)
M. Anthony
Flower Delivery
Posted by: Jocelyn Stanley
Posted on: September 18, 2006 01:28 PM
I agree with Jay-Z. He's has his own opinion and it'a a valid one.
Posted by: Hip Hop Guy
Posted on: October 16, 2007 07:33 PM
I wonder if Jay-z is going boycott drinking 40's of Old English... oh wait.. only poor rappers rap about drinking OE... I wonder how long before we hear somebody getting their pants in a knot over that!
Posted by: Boutique Liquors
Posted on: June 13, 2008 04:54 AM
Champagne should be enjoyed by all for any occasion. The rap artists have brought this wonderful and magic elixer to the masses. To order premium Champagne click on the link below
http://www.boutiqueliquors.com/Champagne.html
Cheers
Posted by: rappersground
Posted on: February 1, 2009 10:01 AM
It would be great if people like Jay-Z, Puffy (or is it P. Diddy? err. Diddy? lol) told kids they grew up in middle class families and then went to college and worked their butts off to build huge companies.
Best rappers ...