FIRST
Oh no!
Frederic needs to pull that cork out of his ass. Ya think? What an asshole.
that's fucking hysterical.
to call that racist is fucking ridiculous.
i'm sure cristal will do just fine without the hip-hop communities attention.
Business is Business and Frederic is oviously racist. sorry guys, but I have to agree with JayZ
Is there nothing more important in the world to be concerned about?! Jesuz H Crist. I wouldn't want my products associated with those fuckwads either.
Good for Frederic and excellent comback. He's entitled to his opinions.
There are people I don't prefer to do business with, but hey, if the money is their then I take it. *that sounds kind of hookerish*
hows bout some Crown Royal or Thunderbird, Jay
"...If Diddy follows suit, Cristal should just shut their doors."
i will tell you this...i would have no idea what cristal was if not for music videos, so whatev, frederic rouzaud. idiot.
Damn, you guys are brutal. *ducks under desk*
Fuck Jay-Z!!!! He's a prick and a women beater!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bongos: Is that you Matthew? Are you playing naked again?
Cristal is fucking overrated and overpriced anyways. They should be kissing rapper's feet for making their swill trendy. Dom Perignon all the way, baby.
Racist? WHAT?!!
Best fucking laugh ever! Yeah sterotyping is one thing but that shit wasn't racist.
Talk about an Idiot with a capital "I"
let's toast to his business going down the tubes!
I have no use for racist assholes!
Cristal did get a little ghetto-fied. But fuck Frederic for being a prick about it. Oh well, whitey can have Cristal back.
exactly lady jane. you know their product through music videos have half-naked women gyrating around a guy with a front row of gold teeth and huge medalions from his neck. videos about money and sex and drugs and drinking...
i think they would prefer their clientelle to be more upscale people...businessmen, the filty stinking rich - and i'm sure those types of people are quite familiar with cristal, but their attention may go elsewhere if cristal gets a reputation of "ghetto"
i would totally do the same thing
Badddd move by Frederic Rouzaud!!
I hope they go bankrupt!
Is it about brand image? If it is, I suggest hanging their name-each and every trailerpark has a whore named Cristal.
Morticia | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:33 pm |
Word.
i will tell you this...i would have no idea what cristal was if not for music videos, so whatev, frederic rouzaud. idiot.
lady jane | 06.15.06 - 1:31 pm | #
exactly! if it wasn't for the hip hop community, his "cristal"would be nothing!
Did he really say that? Damn, dude has cajones. Why didn't he just go ahead and say, "I'm sure Colt 45 or Ripple would be preferred by these fried-chicken-and-watermelon-eating, tap dancing porch monkeys."
Jebus!
All very good points...now that I see your point of view, I think I'll change my vote.
i have a question - hip hop artists are also claiming that Oprah dislikes them and won't have them on her show.
do they call her racist also?
Never drank and never will but that has nothing to do with racist comments or it's popularity in hip hop music. I'm too po.
Good for Cristal--that CEO is on the right track. The hip-hop culture, no matter the color, needs to just go away--it gives America a really rotten image.
interesting!!!
Yeah, I'm sure that he's not complaining about the money that the hip-hop industry has brought him. this guy is an elitist asshole. go, jay-z!
Cristal can send some my fucking way
Yeah! Wxactly mortie. I seriously doubt he would have a problem with Morgan Freeman drinking Cristal. Call this a racist thing all you want, but I don't fucking believe it.
Great guy, Msr. Rouzaud, both a bigot and an elitist prick!
Won't shed any tears when his profits suddenly disappear down the bidet.
Tough question Moticia...I don't think they think that she's racist, but that she is being to "snooty" & "hoity toity"
OH SNAP!!!!
Krug is a better champagne anyway.
Oh I love it. Cristal will do just fine without hip hop community. What an ego Jay Z has, does he really believe the junk shakers are Cristal main customer base, I mean really, get a clue. You can take the man out of the Ghetto but you can't take the Ghetto out of the Jay Z.
Please don't call me a prick, but I don't see what's racist about what he said. Maybe he hates rap music. Lots of people don't like it. That doesn't mean he hates Jay-z or his skin color? Am I wrong here?
Booze aside, this dude is definitely hurtin' for some botox in that canyon between his eyes.
Very true about not knowing what Cristal was w/o music videos. But honestly, whenever I hear it I automatically think of some cheesy nasty rap video complete w/ gold teeth and fat bitches dancing around in gold g strings. OH and the "spinnazzzz" can't forget those. Gross.
Cristal boss, Frederic Rouzaud responded: "I'm sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business"
DAMN!!!
Not much business sense there Freddie...It's a hard knock life for you...
Is it about brand image? If it is, I suggest hanging their name-each and every trailerpark has a whore named Cristal.
meemee | 06.15.06 - 1:34 pm | #
Exactly meemee! I was thinking what a tacky name that was just yesterday. Any girl I've ever met by that name had long,stringy blonde hair and lived in a trailer.
Sounds like the hip hop rap world neads to up their game.
Am I wrong here?
pageantgal | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:37 pm |
My sentiments exactly.
Morticia--Just so you know..hip hop artist and black people don't share one brain and have one thought..they are wide communities with different views so I am sure you can probably answer your own question..hint some may cal her racist some might not.
er... interesting...
Chryssy luvs MJF's 8 Ball | 06.15.06 - 1:31 pm
you're such a follower. in your 1st post you call him (frederic) a racist then a couple posts later you're like i'd take his money. pul-ease make up your mind
I'm sure there are plenty of white fuckers in the hip hop community that he doesn't want to be associated with either!
Well, I totally agree with J Z, I mean....when you have a business, you want money, you put your product out there for ANYONE who can afford it, if the ridiculous ghetto gansters like it and CAN afford it, then this guy has to SUCK IT THE FUCK UP! 'cause that shit IS racist...is like putting a sign on a store window saying "NO BLACKS ALLOWED".
Uh, there are white people and and hispanic people in hip hop too, not just blacks....
He never mentioend anything about a skin color. He was mentioning the image that is become associated with his label. who ever said woud he bitch if it were Morgan Freeman sipping it I HIGHLY doubt it.
He was more refrencing the destructive lifestyle that is now trying to marry itself to his brand.
That's what you get to do when you own somthing. Try and carve out your customer base according to your standerds. It has shit to do with color.
i like dom perignon, though
sorry but I totally believe this is about the color of the hip-hop community's skin--he doesn't have to out and out be racist for us to get the point!
It obviously didn't bother him when he was rakin' it in!
So I agree with Jay-Z --BOYCOTT!!!!!!
(and that's hard for me 'cuz
I don't like him, lol)
Very true about not knowing what Cristal was w/o music videos. But honestly, whenever I hear it I automatically think of some cheesy nasty rap video complete w/ gold teeth and fat bitches dancing around in gold g strings. OH and the "spinnazzzz" can't forget those. Gross.
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 1:38 pm |
exactly the point. their product is being marketed in a way they deem as ultimately negative for their business. If this is what comes to mind for their product, the rich and famous that aren't ghetto-fied won't buy this shit. this is going to help their sales- not hurt it.
lady jane | 06.15.06 - 1:31 pm | #
Quite true, I'm with you on that one.
MJF: who is nick-named song fucker? I'm out of the loop on that one.
Is K-Fag pseudo-rapping about it, now? That, alone, would piss me off if I was Frederic Rouzaud.
"Jesuz H Crist. I wouldn't want my products associated with those fuckwads either."
Yes!!
Chryssy luvs MJF's 8 Ball | 06.15.06 - 1:33 pm
You know it. Just waiting patiently for my avie to be approved 
Morticia--Just so you know..hip hop artist and black people don't share one brain and have one thought..they are wide communities with different views
WorkSucksForReal | 06.15.06 - 1:40 pm |
whoa - i never said or implied anything of the sort. i'm talking about the parts of the hip hop community that have spoken out against Oprah and will probably follow suit with Jay-Z.
Jay-Z is freaking hard on the eyes, that picture is too much for me to take at this hour of the day, UGH!
Shalalala Glitter Ball | 06.15.06 - 1:41 pm |
EXACTLY
racist???? ridiculous!!!!!
and I can already see this is gonna start a posting frenzy about racism so i'm so outta here! have fun!
big hug fo sho!!!!!!
I think it would be racist if this Frederic Rouzaud was courting Eminem while thumbing his nose at Jay-Z. But he's not. He's eschewing the entire Hip-Hop genre. That's not racist. Music-ist, maybe, but not racist.
I wonder if Star Jones will stop drinking Cristal now. 'Cause she's gangsta, yo...
Do you guys remember Tommy Hilfiger doing the same thing just a short time ago--complaining that his brand is now associated w/ ghetto? Sad but true, and no it's not racist. I'm sure he wouldn't mind Oprah, Condaleeza Rice, or Tiger Woods drinking his Cristal.
The hip hop culture is completely trashy. Listen to the lyrics. It's all "hos", "bitches", "smokin blunts", etc. It's all about exploiting women, doing drugs, drinking alcohol, having sex, and violence. And last time I checked, Eminem was white. So whoever wants to turn this into a race issue because they can't face the truth that hip-hop is the epitome of the degradation of American society is living in Wonderland.
MJF: who is nick-named song fucker? I'm out of the loop on that one.
Chryssy luvs MJF's 8 Ball | 06.15.06 - 1:41 pm
Song Fucker is an entity all his own. I love him so.
pageantgal | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:37 pm | #
You're right - hip hop is an entity in itself. So is Jay-Z saying all black are represented by hip hop, b/c that's pretty racist! A lot of black people don't like hip hop!
Hey NoAnjl! *big hug* I saw you in the birthday thread but you already left.
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 1:46 pm |
Yeah....what Anonymous said!!!!!
Is it about brand image? If it is, I suggest hanging their name-each and every trailerpark has a whore named Cristal.
meemee | 06.15.06 - 1:34 pm | #
SO TRUE! That is the white trashiest of trashiest names!
Do you guys remember Tommy Hilfiger doing the same thing just a short time ago--complaining that his brand is now associated w/ ghetto?
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 1:46 pm |
Hoax. When those comments came out (over 5 years ago), Tommy Hilfiger had never been a guest at Oprah's show.
I'm outta here as well!
I agree with NoAnjl that this is gonna get heated and you can't change people-people who don't struggle with racism or who don't know people who deal with this shit EVERYDAY just won't understand --SO Ciao for now!
pageantgal | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:41
I know, that was just an example! LOL.
Good for Frederic, I wouldnt want those ignorant violent thugs, who woudnt know the difference between piss or beer asociated with my champagne either. Fuck JZ, Fuck Diddy, or Doodoo whatever that piece of shit calls himself now, and
VIVA CRISTAL!!!
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 1:46 pm | #
Yeah! What this person said!
poofy pants | 06.15.06 - 1:46 pm | #
Well, I was actually going to counterconcur and say that what Jay-z said was pretty racist to me!
and jay-z is lookin RUFF!
SO TRUE! That is the white trashiest of trashiest names!
nics | 06.15.06 - 1:47 pm | #
Thank God Mama named me Angel!
j/k!
DListed MOTTO: Opinions are like assholes...everyone's got one 
and jay-z is lookin RUFF!
Morticia | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:49 pm | #
When hasn't he?
ok, so Mr. Cristal probably wasn't trying to be racist, but when people think of hip-hop and rap, they automatically think of black people. i think anyone who thinks he's racist is trying to read between the lines waay too much.
DListed MOTTO: Opinions are like assholes...everyone's got one
Chryssy luvs MJF's 8 Ball | 06.15.06 - 1:50 pm |
...and they're usually full of shit.
I know, that was just an example! LOL.
Dayanara aka Afro clam | Homepage |
I do see what you mean, but you know what? I would just call him a snob, not a racist. Or French. So fuck the French!
(just kidding, I absolutely adore the french and I think you guys know that!)
Oh, and I hate JZ for the record.
I don't blame the guy really. Not liking the culture of hip hop isn't necessarily racist. Maybe some people don't like hearing about women being hos all the time and listening to people brag about their bling, cars, women, etc. It gets old and isn't very classy.
Bolting the stable door long after the horse has bolted. Everyone associates Cristal with rappers, they should have acted years ago. No self respecting drinker would want to be seen drinking that brand. Team Perrier Jouet !
ok--can people just not like rappers? i fucking hate the way they act--but i have nothing against black people--hell, my brother is half black. The hip hop "community" really gives black people a bad name--kind of like what red necks do to white peeps
and jay-z is lookin RUFF!
Morticia | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:49 pm |
So true. Yikes Beyonce run!!!!!
Oh well, now I guess I'll have to find Cristal elsewhere besides 40/40 club.
You're right - hip hop is an entity in itself. So is Jay-Z saying all black are represented by hip hop, b/c that's pretty racist! A lot of black people don't like hip hop!
poofy pants | 06.15.06 - 1:46 pm | #
--------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
i am one of them...i listen to it on the radio, but i would never waste money on it. hip hop artists have no respect for women whatsoever. there is more to life than fuckin' ho's and smackin' a bitch. just saying.
pageantgal | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:51 pm | #
Now that you put it that way, Yes! I shouldn't have used "racist"
"discriminatory" would fit better I guess.
DListed MOTTO: Opinions are like assholes...everyone's got one
Chryssy luvs MJF's 8 Ball | 06.15.06 - 1:50 pm |
...and they're usually full of shit.
Prico (Dirtstar Diaries) | 06.15.06 - 1:51 pm |
*takes a stool softner*? *snicker*
Well I wouldn't want my brand associated with gangsters, cop killers, hoochies washing cars with their boobs, etc. But if they were bringing in the money, I'd totally cater to them.
Like make a Cristal Light. Or Grape Flavored Cristal. Or Ganja Cristal. Cristal 40... the possibilities are endless.
those guys jump at the chance to call anything and anybody racist
You got that right Prico
Scorpio Minx Sharper | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:52 pm | #
TEAM MOET WHITE STAR!
Team Perrier Jouet !
Scorpio Minx Sharper | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:52 pm |
Toni Braxton drinks Jouet. LOL
Hey Prico..you could have your own sitcom: Prico & The Man.
For some reason that just popped into my head
Good for Cristal--that CEO is on the right track. The hip-hop culture, no matter the color, needs to just go away--it gives America a really rotten image.
MikeC... | 06.15.06 - 1:36 pm | #
I feel really sad for all of you that don't know there is a HGUE difference between Rap and Hip-Hop: the are NOT interchangable, far from it actually. My husband has two small (very small) hip-hop labels (out of Kansas of all places) and they don't talk about gats and pussy and bling and shit. Hell, one of his artists just released his like 5th or 6th album and it's the first time he's ever had a bad word in a song - and he isn't even the one who says it. Hip-hop is a lot more positive than rap and I really wish people weren't so closed minded and eager to stereotype them as low class, low talent thugged out 'rappers'.
I can't believe Christal said that back. That was stupid. The hip hop & rap folks spend lots of money on that stupid champagne. And what's Krug?
Cristal Ganja flav! for shizzle!
*Insert big smile with golden grill here.
Chryssy luvs MJF's 8 Ball | 06.15.06 - 1:55 pm |
LOLOLOLOL. That made me laugh.
"The Man" would have to be Benicio del Toro. Or Andy Garcia. Actually, Bruno Campos.
Gimmee some Cristal-England 2 Trinidad 0
El Bastardo | 06.15.06 - 1:57 pm | #
Oh FUCK! there go my 20 bucks.
Like that other poster, I wouldn't even know what Cristal was if it weren't for the hip hop videos. I think of Perrier Jouet when I think expensive champagne. I hate to sound like a snob but I feel Cristal is sorta nouveau riche.
GOOD CHOICES Prico
And what's Krug?
Genevieve | 06.15.06 - 1:56 pm |
An awesome brand of champagne. And I hate champagne.
Krug is a top-of-the-line delicious champagne that makes Cristal taste like pee. I'm down with Jay-Z. Hee.
pageantgal | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:37 pm | #
No, you're not. If Cristal had been adopted by the jazz community Rouzad wouldn't have a problem. A lot of the hip hop community have a very unfortunate image and that is what he has the problem with, not the colour. At least I hope not......
Unless you read the article elsewhere, you don't even know what comments were made by this guy in the first place, I believe there was more to it.
OKay if there was a Ganja Cristal that shit would flow like water at Bonnaro and Greatful Dead concerts LOL Now that's just called expanding your demographic.
Dayanara-Don't ever bet against sure things!!You'd lose on a 1 horse race
El Bastardo | 06.15.06 - 2:00 pm | #
I know 
*cracks open door, whispers "Hi, El B," catches up, closes door*
I am black and not of fan of hip hop (at least todays hip hop). It is trashy and these rappers are cocky people who's on record persona is so damaginbg to our community. And for the record, I wouldn't want my champagne associated with them either. It brings down the value and makes it seem as if it's available to everyone when it shoudn't be. this country thrives on racism and classism. What would rich white people be without a poor minority to put their foot on? Not being racist or "blaming da man" just my opinion.
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 1:46 pm |, Morticia and Shalala are the smartest people in this thread and probably on Dlisted. I totally agree with you three!
i really don't see anything racist about it. if i made a brand, and hookers were promoting it, no matter HOW much shit they bought, i still wouldn't want hookers associated with my brand!
just cuz he sounds snooty as hell doesn't mean he's racist. and who gives a shit if jayfucking hasbeen doesn't buy your shit? Cristal wasn't making it's business soley on them anyways so it's NOT going to hurt their business.
DListed MOTTO: Opinions are like assholes...everyone's got one
Chryssy luvs MJF's 8 Ball | 06.15.06 - 1:50 pm |
...and they're usually full of shit.
Prico (Dirtstar Diaries) | 06.15.06 - 1:51 pm |
AND NONE OF THEM SMELL LIKE FUCKING ROSES EITHER except mine!
or Asti Spumonti
I used to work for a liquor and spirits company, who used to own distribution rights to Krug and several other top brands. We had an Urban Market team, and paid beaucoup money to have one of our bottles in a rap video. True, it was an Eminem video... but hey, they knew their target market.
Yeah, I think it a stretch to say that hating hip-hop is per se racist. Does hating country music (where the majority of perfomers are white) make you racist? You know Cristal doesn't want Chesney et al. drinking their swill...
bring out the bottle of Asti Spumonti, pop off the top and rock with my posse
No, you're not. If Cristal had been adopted by the jazz community Rouzad wouldn't have a problem. A lot of the hip hop community have a very unfortunate image and that is what he has the problem with, not the colour. At least I hope not......
Scorpio Minx Sharper | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 2:00 pm | #
That's why I need you around. I love Jazz, you've got me hankerin for some Miles Davis at the Village Vanguard now.
I don't care for much new rap (hip hop like Anthony Hamilton is a different genre). But bling bling and titays and grills and "hey baby come over here and suck my.." are a poor example of a musical genre. I wouldn't really want the association either if I were a proprietor.
@Dayanara,Trinidad were good though,shame
Hi jennifer
I was gettin' some head,
gettin', gettin' some head,
I was gettin' some head,
gettin', gettin' some head...
Oh, sorry, got distracted by the radio...
Hating rappers doesn't equate to hating black people. The hip hop community promotes stereotypes, violence, promiscuity and objectifies women. Anyone who says this isn't true if full of shit. I can't wait until ghetto rap is obsolete. If you think it won't happen - it will. In 5 years all the music is going to be back to the eighties style pop.
So, do you think we'll see a Cristal commercial with Snoop Dog in it soon?
Eh fuck Frederic, I'm not down with any of the "new negro nonsense" as we call it sometimes, but Hip Hop put Cristal on the map. Eff you sucka!
i disagree that hip-hop put them on the map. yes, they made the name more household, but how many of us ran out and bought some Cristal bc we saw it in a rap video?? i highly doubt any.
"Drink Krug or Die!"
Cristal has been around for several centuries, like most champagne houses. The unwelcome attention of a bunch of gangstas with half a brain is thus just that - unwelcome. They know they have an audience, they just would like it to be a discerning one...
Doesn't Parasite drink Cristal too? ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Doesn't Parasite drink Cristal too? ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Dayanara aka Afro clam | Homepage |
reason enough to be discriminatory!
No, hip hop absolutely did not put Cristal on the map. All the rich people it was intended for were already driking it. It put it on the map for us middle class regular people which was not what Frederic wanted. Sorry, but it's true and he can exclude whoever he wants. Black people have FUBU and all sorts of stuff like that, which I have zero problem with, so let the rich, white fuck do what he wants with his own product.
Doesn't Parasite drink Cristal too? ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Dayanara aka Afro clam | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 2:12 pm | #
I'm sure frenchie doesn't want Cristal associated with gonosyphilaids either.
we were drinking Cristal in the 80's with X... there was no hip hop near or around us
Frederic Rouzaud's attitude isn't about them being black, he's just being French and wants his customers to be connoisseurs rather than bling. It's quite typical of the French.
Yes pageantgal and Prico.....gonosyphilaids is a horrible thing to be associated with...and I'm sure 50 cent has it too.
If you've been introduced to cristal on some rap video on mtv, believe me your'e not the target customer at all honey LOL
What do you guys think about brands like FuBu, then? That are made for black people? They've come out and said that they don't want white people wearing their clothes. I've always wondered why there wasn't a big uproar about that
I wouldn't really want the association either if I were a proprietor.
pageantgal | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 2:06 pm | #
Same here, but truth be told I hadn't heard of Cristal until rappers kept mentioning it. I'm not much of a drinker, but it just wasn't on my radar.
I won't have crap like Fiddy, Eminem etc under my roof. I have an eight year old and I'm not raising him to be an ass.
"Get rich or die tryin' " What kind of bullshit is that? Not in this house! My son likes The Roots, Gorillaz, Pixies, QOTSA, Massive Attack and Blur, lol.
I loves me some Miles ! "Sketches of Spain", "Kind of Blue" and "Bitches Brew" when I'm pre menstrual!
If you've been introduced to cristal on some rap video on mtv, believe me your'e not the target customer at all honey LOL
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 2:22 pm | #
this made me laugh.
The bottom line is money has no color. You need to provide good customer service no matter who the consumer is. Trust me, they will miss that money.
scorpio that's so cute that ur 8 year old listens to gorillaz..im gonna do that too when i have a kid.
Hating rappers doesn't equate to hating black people. The hip hop community promotes stereotypes, violence, promiscuity and objectifies women. Anyone who says this isn't true if full of shit. Lynette | 06.15.06 - 2:08 pm | #
Lynette - I must let you know that I say hip-hop isn't about promoting stereotypes and I'm not full of shit at all, in fact, I'm right. People who say what you're saying are full of shit because you know nothing about the music genre yet you think you do. Let's try this again: Hip Hop is NOT Rap. Rap is NOT hip hop. I'm sorry this is such a damn hard concept for some of you to understand but just because I actually know what's going on and understand what hip-hop is doesn't mean I'm full of shit.
Scorpio Minx Sharper | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 2:22 pm | #
You and your son have awesome taste! I can't have a son, because he'd be forced to listen to Madonna, Kylie Minogue and the Pet Shop Boys!! LOL....
frederic can have his cristal back and when sales plummet, he'll try to win back the hip hop community everyone claims to despise, but seems to know all the words to the songs and the names of all the people in hip hop....just ask tommy hilfilger
Good for you Jay-Z...even though you slapped a little girl.
I'm just wondering why it took them like 6 years or whatever to decide they don't want to be associated with these rappers. Why not say something right away? Because this way their name DID get out there (even though I doubt very many fans were buying it) but now they want out. It took so long because they thought there might be something to it - then they realized that they weren't making enough off the fans of rap so they had to distance themselves. I guess that's my conspriacy theory.
We are all forgetting about the pimps and gangsters who ARE out buying Cristal with their dirty money becuase 50 drinks it. Some people are morons who acutally do that sort of thing!
Oh pleeze, I just farted,
hey, its the same with louis vuitton....remember when NO ONE knew about them? now the rappers are out with them (copies or whatever ) and there like, suddenly gold. im glad cristal's dude doesnt care, i would have been like, later! too!!!
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 2:23 pm | # -
Any music where the person is talking and yelling, instead of singing is rap. Hip hop and rap are the same thing. The hip hop community consists of rappers, not hip hoppers.
Please don't call me a prick, but I don't see what's racist about what he said. Maybe he hates rap music. Lots of people don't like it. That doesn't mean he hates Jay-z or his skin color? Am I wrong here?
pageantgal
I think it's more about class but also a little about race. I'm sure if The Rolling Stones or some other wild rock groups were singing about Cristal he would not have a problem with it even though they are known for sex drugs and other non sophisticated stuff.
i really don't think someone who raps about how he has "99 problems but the bitch ain't one" is part of the demographic that Rouzaud wants to market to. and making it more exclusive is only going to heighten its class.
pageantgal | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 2:25 pm | #
Dayum, your son would be metrosexual for sure!
James Jr. | 06.15.06 - 2:33 pm |
i disagree. i bet they would react similarly.
How is that not racist? The hip hop community is predominately black. I'm white and I'm not even sure I would buy their product after reading that. Which works out well, because I can't afford that shit anyway.
Louis Vuitton has been around since the 1800's. Louis Vuitton has done just fine with or with out the videos. Louis's problem since the videos have been the counterfeiting.
Everyone knows that the real deal is the Veuve Clicquot!
scorpio that's so cute that ur 8 year old listens to gorillaz..im gonna do that too when i have a kid.
boohoo | 06.15.06 - 2:23 pm | #
Thank you! I just wasn't prepared to have bad music in the house simply because I have a child! He likes Foo Fighters, Rolling Stones and Led Zep too...
Um, how many people are even buying bottles of cristal at his club? Frederic's got plenty of yuppies to keep him in business. Why should he want his business assosicated with hip hop culture anyway? love his reply!
To the posters talking about FUBU, I believe a multiracial group of guys made the label, so I think you are wrong.
And all the references to jazz? Back when jazz came out it was consider "n*gg*r" music too! It was also full of dope fiends, so I beg to differ. Now its toned down, let's sit in the living room and pretend I'm sophisticated dinner party music. So maybe in another decade the same will happen to rap. Btw, not all rap music is the same and hip hop culture has contributed far better things than the MTV/BET marketing of racist stereotypes will have you believe.
Monsieur Rouzaud, like many French people, is probably just disgusted by the effect the hip hop culture is having in Paris. If you look at any of the top 10 French Music Videos you will understand. The French have a severe distaste of anything that they fear "corrupts" the "traditional" French culture. Much of paris is being overcome by hip hop, norther african and muslim cultural influences and it's not sitting well with the whites.
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 2:23 pm | # -
Any music where the person is talking and yelling, instead of singing is rap. Hip hop and rap are the same thing. The hip hop community consists of rappers, not hip hoppers.
Lynette | 06.15.06 - 2:31 pm | #
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------------------------------
Sorry Lynette - they're called emcee's in the hip-hop world. Hate to burst your bubble but you're just proving you know NOTHING about it. Generalizations are fun. 'Lynette is a stupid bitch whos husband cheats on here and she has total brats for kids that she can't control.' There's a nice generalization about Lynettes - and it's true because I saw it on TV! (is that your rationalization for pretending you know what you're talking about? That you saw them say that on tv?) *kisses*
There name isn't "Heafty", so why would they wan their product associated with trash? I don't blame him nor Tommy Hilfiger, nor Ralph Lauren. I would not want my product or brand degraded either.
Look at what is happening with designer bags. There are soo many knock-offs on the market that everyone can have a Gucci, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Hermes bag if they know the right hook-up. There cache has been severly downgraded.
These individuals have to protect their profit margins, and I don't blame them. The Ghetto fabulous crowd's money tends to be real "funny" (here today and gone tomorrow... just look at MC Hammer, broke!), so who cares about what they have to say..... new money doesn't always last as long as old money.
Racist, yeah right! Ha!
lemure | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 2:45 pm | #
I know the history of jazz, and I'm sure scorpio does as well.
Aw, now the rappers will have to find some other overpriced champipple to slosh and poor all over the video skeezers.
So anytime someone doesn't want the unwanted attention that wrappers, thugs, murderers and pimps (not all wrappers) you're automatically labeled a racist?
Although I love hip hop, it does nothing but promote pimping, violence and mayhem.... maybe that's wheat Cristal wants to disassociate itself from.....
The bottom line is money has no color. You need to provide good customer service no matter who the consumer is. Trust me, they will miss that money.
Midtown ATL | 06.15.06 - 2:23 pm | #
So true, Midtown. And let's not forget that many of the "old" rich have made their money by less than honorable means, but then try to impart a respectable image. It's all about the image. Snooty French people hate Americans anyway for the most part. Whatever, it's his right to say what he wants, who cares? SCREW POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, LET PEOPLE SAY WHAT THEY WANT, AND BE THANKFUL. At least then you know that person is an ass and not to deal with them. And by the way, I'm not a huge fan of hip-hop, either.
I think that it is just how they want to position their brands...take a look at any upscale company's ads....they are not showing people drinking champagne in clubs...It may be an elitist attitude but this is the direction that some of these companies want to maintain
L' Homme Nikita | 06.15.06 - 2:48 pm | #
Excellent point. The North African community have really embraced hip hop and French society is very conservative. Race has been a very hot issue over there for quite a while now. I'm a Londoner, and some of the things I'm told by my white Parisian friends make my hair stand on end. France is light years behind England when it comes to racial tolerance. So you are probably right about Monsieur Rouzaud.
Veuve Cliquot is part of the LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Group).
I am sure the attitude would be the same
i think jay-z just wants to slander someone else for support of his new album and to get some extra cash. i'm on cristal side
Hassan | 06.15.06 - 2:59 pm | #
That is the most intelligent and funny comment I have read on this thread! Damn, you're concise.....
Excellent response from Frederic. Screw this stupid whiner, Jay-Z. Everything's racist, waah. Bullshit.
People who support quality entertainment and art are not going to dig the Gangsta rap lifestyle. Hiphop is not quality or art, it's commerce. I'm sure Cristal wouldn't go out of its way to support Eminem, either. It's not about color. It's about class.
-
Hassan | 06.15.06 - 2:59 pm | #
That is the most intelligent and funny comment I have read on this thread! Damn, you're concise.....
Scorpio Minx Sharper | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 3:06 pm | #
I concur. I feel like a warbling dumbass now!
doesn't anyone remember showgirls? gina gershons character was crystal, and she says she took her name from 'the champagne'. weird. why would any company want their name paired with crap.
p.s.-lvmh also owns hennessy, a liquor almost NEVER mentioned in hip hop. wonder if they'll follow suit.
If he was so bothered by it he shoul dof said something 10 years ago when rappers were engorsing the hell out of his drink. dumb ass.
i worked at a really snooty bar/club a few years back. they wouldn't even sell hennessy or any cognac, because of 'the people' it brings in.
Who cares really?!
hey good point mia, a HUNDRED AND FORTY POSTS LATER.
Holy Jaysus, you did NOT just procure the image in Trina Summer's Eve-ing her not-a-ladygarden with Cris. You did not.
Blech.
dayum ! this thread had to get all the way down here before somebody FINALLY
let loose with veuve cliquot ...
j zee is a fat headed fruit salad
If I had a brand of anything I wouldn't want it associated with hip-hop either, purely on the grounds that a hefty percentage of that music is ultra-degrading to women...obviously including Jay Z's stuff. I don't know what Rouzaud's beef is with them and I think that Jay Z's assumption of 'racism' is just jumping to conclusions (b/c, as someone said earlier, hip-hop is multiracial), but I definitely agree with Rouzaud's view.
I don't know about the rest of you, but seeing that one picture of Mimi sprawled out all over the Louis Vuitton shop made me want to burn my purse. It's been cheapened by being taken over the top. Which is what Mr. Rouzaud is trying to keep from happening to Cristal. Too much of a good thing is always just that....Too much.
THAT GUY IS OBVIOUSLY RETARDED. ON THE OTHER HAND HOW MANY RAP FANS BESIDES THE ACTUAL RAPPERS ARE DRINKING CRISTAL: O
SO YOU KNOW IT PROBABLY WILL NOT DAMAGE THAT STUPID, OVERPRICED WINE COMPANY THAT MUCH.
ANYWAY ALL BITCHES ARE WHORES.
Racist? He just doesn't like Hip-Hop or Rap. So what! I am white and detest most country music, does that make me racist? What a bunch of whining babies. And the comment about "Whitey can have it back now" is so pinheaded, Crystal just does not want it's product to be associated with Thugs, Ho's and ostentatious wanna-bees. They are mostly trash from the gutter who happend into money. Just open your eyes and look at most of them. Giant heads full of gold "Grillz", Pimp Garb, etc. Just hidious. No class, no sophistication, making public specticals of themselves everywhere,... BOORS!
I am so tired of hearing "RACIST" anytime it is convenient for someone to use. Keep it up and just like the boy who cried "Wolf" you will find very little sympathy when it is actually deserved.
I'd take Moet over Cristal anyday
I don't know. I read the Economist article and It doesn't seem like he's really attacking.
"In fact, the attitude of the house of Roederer to the unexpected popularity of Cristal among rappers is considerably more circumspect. Frédéric Rouzaud, who took over from his father as managing-director of the winery in January, says that Roederer has observed its association with rap with “curiosity and serenity”. But he does not seem entirely serene. Asked if an association between Cristal and the bling lifestyle could actually hurt the brand, he replies: “That’s a good question, but what can we do? We can’t forbid people from buying it. I’m sure Dom Pérignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business.”
At the same time, I understand Jay-z. Respect is a very sensitive subject for many minorities. Sometimes even with the money and the fame they can still feel belittled. I know the prominent rap community is negative but these people are giving you money, and you need to treat them nicely. Other celebrities and business men aren't exactly the epitome of class but you respect them regardless and you don't badmouth. If he suffers as a result of this then good, he doesn't know how to be diplomatic (well, perhaps because he is french). Its a never ending and underlying battle of race and class with the same frustrations felt when the hilfiger comments came out. even if it is not a race issue, many people will react as if it is one, because you know what? Up until now (and even now) it has consistently BEEN a race issue. Just my opinion.
Cristal is passe, anyhow, lol.
http://www.economist.com/intelli...ry/
displayStory
Race has been a very hot issue over there for quite a while now. I'm a Londoner, and some of the things I'm told by my white Parisian friends make my hair stand on end. France is light years behind England when it comes to racial tolerance.
Scorpio Minx Sharper
I remember hearing about black entertainers that left America for France decades ago because France was supposedly more welcoming to black performers. Maybe now you have to be a "certain type of black".
I remember a certain similar comment made by a Tommy Hill something, I don't remember his name use to be big in the 90's had some failing reality series afterwards. I think you can now get his clothing at a target or walgreen's. Anyways, well good luck to this guy, He doesn't know how much free press he just lost, but hey at least the Champaign will be cheaper.
PEOPLE!!! DO WE EVEN KNOW EXACTLY WHAT Rouzaud SAID??? all we know is jay-z's response, and people are already giving him shit for calling racism??
GIVE ME A FUCKIN' BREAK!!
NO ONE CAN COMMENT until we know the ENTIRE SITUATION, not just jayz's reaction, and rouzaud's response. all i've seen on this post is hatred for rappers and hip-hop, which IS TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. i hate it when people don't even know an entire situation and still wanna put their useless 2 cents in.
although its really funny how quick people take rouzaud's side without even knowing what he said, and condemning hip-hop, because if it was so horrible, then why is it now world-wide?? how many genre's of music have GLOBAL INFLUENCE??
am i a fan of rap music? yes. do i like ALL rap music? hell no. am i a fan of the hip-hop CULTURE (cuz its not just music)? sometimes. the point to this rant is we all have opinions, but lets know all the facts before we draw conclusions.
and for the record, rap and hip hop culture is generally associated with people of color.
They both have some good points i think.
Hell yeah, loads of stupid ass mainstream rappers cheapen all kind of high class brands (LV, Gucci, Bentley) i can understand the man when he doesn't wants to be acosiated with dumbass rappers spraying some ho with Cristal in they're lame ass Video.
Most mainstream rappers just have the unfailable ways of making even the most expenisve/limited Item/drink & make it look extra cheap & tacky beyond belive)
But i also understand Jay for boycotting the stuff. Old geezer's talking about "Hip-Hop" culture or "Urban Crowd" all translates to: "N***a's, stop drinkin' my juice"
But he goes at it the wrong way. He should buy even more & hand it out to some bum's down on the street. That'll piss Frederic off for sure.
both good points, but a comment that should have remained behind closed doors, imo. 
HILARIOUS!
I don't think it's racist, I think it's classist.
Dayanara--companies that are meant to be exclusive have a huge interest in protecting their brand's image. Just look at Burberry in the UK--it's now considered 'trashy' because of the people who know wear their clothing. Now the line isn't doing as well and many people who used to buy their clothing don't any longer. I would be very annoyed as well if I were the CEO of Cristal, and would be willing to see the money from these rappers stop coming in then have my brand further tarnished by being associated with the degradation of women, violence, drugs, and sex. Like others mentioned, the CEO is right to be upset if his product is being poured all over barely dressed women who are there not representing the best of the female sex, but simply serving as objects for the 'tough' rappers to beat and screw later on. Above all, one must control their image in order to succeed in the long term as a brand, and association with the trash that the hip hop community spews is hardly desirable. Furthermore, if a man like Jay Z is TRULY concerned about the stereotypes out there about the black community, then perhaps he should use his clout in the recording industry to change hip hop into a genre that carries a better message to the youth of America, instead of promoting lifestyles that lead to domestic abuse, gangs, drugs, and prison. That's food for thought. The music he respresents furthers the stereotypes of the black community by constantly showing 'hos' and 'ghetto' rich lifestyles. He should stop thinking about Cristal and consider the implications his music has on the black community and the lives his young fans choose to lead because the hip hop community preaches, 'get rich or die trying' and shows women dressed in nothing, allowing themselves to be subjects of the glorified rap artist in the video. Disgusting.
You know how the French are!
And would you want your expensive champagne for the elite palate being thrown around by 50-Cent?
Thats the image that Frenchy dont like.
Ce la Vie!
my apologies for the 'than-then' and 'now-know' mixups in my post I do know the difference and rarely ever mix them up
Yeah, a bit late there, Frederic.
Cristal=ghetto fab
Typical black...always using the race card.
Um, somehow I think Cristal will survive. Gotta love the French for their wonderful attitude though, right?
L' Homme Nikita | 06.15.06 - 4:02 pm | #
Back in the day that was definitely true. The writers Richard Wright and James Baldwin lived in Paris for extended periods and Josephine Baker actually became a French citizen. Baker was far more successful in France than in the U.S and was shocked by how racist her birthplace was in comparison.
France was certainly more accepting of black performers then, especially those who were gay. Also, America was an extremely racist place at that time, so probably living anywhere else would have been preferable!
From what I'm told, the racial problems in France stem mainly from Islamophobia and a dislike of North African immigrants.
It's a beautiful country, but it doesn't have best record as regards racial tolerance.
black people seem to always play the "Racist" card
I had never even heard of Cristal until the hip-hop community brought it to my attention. He should be happy
I doubt any listener of rap has even tasted Cristal let alone could afford to buy it.I agree with Frederic Rouzaud and would not want a product of mine associated with such disgusting rapper vidoes and music. I would gladly loose marginal profit to gain back a clean reputation as a classy company.
First of all, I don't bother drinking that overrated swill in any form, be it Cristal or Dom. It's nothing but cheap white wine with bubbles, IMO. I'm just as happy with the $10 bottle for my New Year's Eve party.
Anyway, as a Black person, I don't see Rouzaud's comments as racist. They are certainly elitist and smack of a holy-than-thou attitude. But most people like Rouzaud--wine makers, fashionistas, etc.--suffer from that. I'm not surprised by his stance. I'm not even mildly upset. It is what it is. It's more of a case of not being familiar with a certain group, but being too self-important to learn more about them. It's narrow-minded, but a lot of folks are that way.
However, for Rouzaud to take this position now--after his company has made millions from the free advertising from rap artists--is very suspect. Rappers have been talking about Cristal for years. Why get all snobby now? He must be getting pressure from some of his older and more conservative board members. Is Rouzaud new to the company? If so, then perhaps he's trying to take the company back to its upper--crust, WASPy days.
I understand where Jay-Z is coming from, but really, rappers can only blame themselves for this. Why do they insist on giving free publicity to these products? It's insane. There's no way I'm promoting any product without some form of compensation. It's just smart business. Jay-Z has learned this over the years, but a lot of the new rap acts haven't. They really need to do so.
But in the long run, this little tug-of-war won't even matter. Rappers will find another status symbol to idolize and Cristal won't go out of business.
The world keeps moving, even if we don't.
I had never even heard of Cristal until the hip-hop community brought it to my attention. He should be happy
JMsGyrl | 06.15.06 - 4:40 pm | #
And I'm sure since the hip-hop community introduced you to it, you have increased Cristal's revenue by 50%.
First of all, Frederic's quote was taken out of context. He did not say that Dom or Krug would be delighted to have their business after Jay-Z pulled Cristal out of his businesses. He said that when referring to Cristal being the champagne of choice...he was acknowledging that it is an enviable position to be in. He's a dumb fuck, what a SNOB nonetheless.
All That Glitters | 06.15.06 - 4:42 pm | #
"Enough about me, so what do you think about me?" FYI, no offense but no one cares that much about your opinion. It's a blog...keep it pithy.
"Enough about me, so what do you think about me?" FYI, no offense but no one cares that much about your opinion. It's a blog...keep it pithy.
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 4:49 pm | #
Sorry, didn't know the word-count police was on duty today.
Yeth. Pith.
Whatev. Pour me a single-malt scotch on the rocks.
LA--I'm right there with you on the scotch.
And what can I say? I'm a wordy person. I'm damned if I do and I damned if I don't. DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!
Sorry, didn't know the word-count police was on duty today.
All That Glitters | 06.15.06 - 4:55 pm | #
Not the word-count police, the stop-annoying-everyone-because-no-on-cares patrol.
Cristal was already on the map before Jay-Z popped up drinking it, he simply has made it popular with people that listen to his shit but can't afford it anyway.
Not the word-count police, the stop-annoying-everyone-because-no-on-cares patrol.
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 5:01 pm | #
Allow me to be VERY short. . .
FUCK OFF, YOU BLOG NAZI!!!
Amen Aaron! Thus, the reasoning behind Rouzand's comment. It's navigating the people that can afford it away from it.
All That Glitters (Who Can Become a Real Bitch When Necessary)
Too wordy. . .too bad!
I'm so smart!!!
Allow me to be VERY short. . .
FUCK OFF, YOU BLOG NAZI!!!
All That Glitters (Who Can Bec | 06.15.06 - 5:04 pm | #
So VERY short, and so VERY tactful
Baby, this has nothing to do with tact. This has to do with me not bothering you in the first place. Don't like my comments? Ignore them. I'll do the same for you.
Smooches!
But let's ask ourselves All That Glitters, is this really a situation that necessitates becoming a real bitch?
Don't sweat the small stuff!
Fuck that racist asshole, if it weren't for the hip community constantly talking about cristol i bet they wouldnt have half the business, i say jay z create a new and better cristol and take away all his business, rascist fuck!
It must be, or I wouldn't have become one.
I am ignoring them, it's just annoying that it takes me 20 minutes to scroll down past them.
Good for Frederic Rouzaud and Cristal. Hip-hop should stick with Colt 45.
Is it life impacting?
Jay-Z...Fuck him and his fool punk-ass bitch posse that he rode in on!!!
Ooh - scared of you. Nobody cares about you and your threats of boycott Oreo boy. And that goes for your Billie Holiday wannabe woman.
I guess if you're boycotting Cristal it means you'll have to go back to Colt 45 Malt Liqour --- Oh whoops!
You know what? Fuck it all. Just why do I bother? Can't be nice, can't be a bitch, can't be anything but a statue. Just sit there and don't do anything.
JUST FUCK IT ALREADY.
All That Glitters | 06.15.06 - 5:12 pm | #
Don't get pissed off, stew about it, or give it a second thought...because then I win.
What a jackass.
His comments are not overtly racist (unless you believe that all black people are hiphop and vice versa, which makes you a little racist!), but it does alienate a huge sect of the population, which is a BAD business move.
Perhaps the hip hoppers are not their target demographic, but they have given Cristal more free advertising and buzz than any company can hope for. They've been touting their product as a symbol for the rich and luxurious lifestyle - isn't that the message they were going for?
Tommy Hilfiger was NEVER on Oprah...those comments were never made.
For my 2 cents.....I won't drink Cristal or wear Louis Vuitton and many of the other items that the rap community has popularized because the image has been cheapened.
Its amazing that an issue as trivial as that makes headlines and takes top priority in these celebrities' lives. They can boycott cristal because the makers dont like their business, yet they dont boycott something of much higher importance, such as fur, or the blood diamonds from the diamond mines in africa. They make songs about it but they never do anything about the issue. Fucking lame.
I don't think this has to do with race, as much as it has to do with the fact that much of the hip-hop scene glorifies a criminal thug ideal. Not exactly the way I would want my high-end goods portrayed either. You can't buy class JayZ
Good point Steff!
and John!!
Cristal was doing well enough alone as well as Corvoisier, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, etc...that the rappers talk about. What it did was bring the knowledge to the hood. So the hood thinks that all these luxury brands are hood like they are. The brand image is NOT hood. I'm sure Rouzard did not want his product being seen splashed on some gap toothed, lace front beweaving video ho. He said another company could have that, not Cristal. LMAO. It's not racist. It's business.
hdhggh
All That Glitters - i thought your comment about the topic was great. Very nicely put and intelligent. Fuck that dumbass prick who was giving you shit.
That racist shit is so tired. Marshall Mathers is part of the hip hop community and he's white.
I wonder how many bottles of Cristal were purchased by Katrina FEMA funds?!
Wow, I'm surprised. Every time a musician opens his/her fridge on MTV Cribs there is Cristal in it. He just made a big mistake!!
u guys don't realize if they lose the rap industry, they are done for, because that is the best form of promotion.
For my 2 cents.....I won't drink Cristal or wear Louis Vuitton and many of the other items that the rap community has popularized because the image has been cheapened.
Anon | 06.15.06 - 5:24 pm | #
What about diamonds? Or driving a Mercedes? Or vacationing in St. Lucia? These are all items that the "hip hop" community endorses. Will you stop buying those as well?
Not to start anything, but just like Jay-Z can't boycott everything, neither can we.
Let's face it: 98% of us weren't buying that overpriced, hyped-up stuff anyway.
To that woman who's posting above appears to me that she is probably caucasian***
What the hell does free advertising have to do with anything. What's your trip? Are you pissed off with your father so you defend or hook up with a black man to get back at him? Leave your shit at the office!
I represent something that is hated in the black community - An individual that refuses to along with the rest of the sheep. Every time I see a music video that has a black artist there isn't anything there other than a black women shaking their ass with some player in the corner with a bottle of Cristal in his hand. Frederic Rouzaud, stand your ground!!!
I wonder how many bottles of Cristal were purchased by Katrina FEMA funds?!
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 5:34 pm | #
This person, Anonymous/06.15.06 - 5:34 pm, ought to receive an award for that insightful observation!
Morticia | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 5:31 pm | #
Thanks, Morticia. I tend to get overworked about things like that. It's silly because I can't see the person. It IS just a blog. But it gets tough when someone is just sniping at you for no apparent reason.
But the good thing is as quickly as I get angry, I cool down. It's all good now. No one rains on my parade for too long!
I think Hilfiger said that was a bald face lie. He never said that. None the less, no one wears his clothes anymore now. They are wearing SeanJohn.
LOL!
Whatev. Pour me a single-malt scotch on the rocks.
LA | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 4:58 pm | #
Single-malt, eh? Dayum, you have expensive tastes. You must be one of those high maintenance girls.
My favorite is Glenmorangie. Yum.
Yesterday my neighbor came over and complained to me about my bird feeder. Apparently, when all the little birds land on my bird feeder and start eating they scatter seeds all over the place...My neighbor says that some of those seeds land on his side of the fence and germinate in his flower bed and are a threat to his prize winning roses.
I just wanted all of you to know this.
*black people "playing the race card"
what card do white people play?
*rappers (thugs promoting drugs, ho's, and violence) make black people look bad...
does george bush (white house warmonger promoting violence, death and murder in the name of god and freedom) make white people look bad?
*p.s. sex, drugs and rock and roll y'all...
Rappers need to stop wasting their money on this frivolous bullshit anyway. The money they were wasting on pantries full of Cristal can be put to more productive use!
I came of age in the 80's and early to mid 90's and Hip Hop- (the REAL deal, not the traveling Minstrels shown on BET and MTV... yeah, I SAID it)- thrived w/out the use of Cristal promos. They need to boycott the adverse POVERTY and violence running rampant in some of their communities instead of getting angry w/ Frenchie. How superficial.
Anyway, perhaps this boycott will keep them preoccupied, they'll back the hell up off of Oprah for a minute.
Jay-Z...Fuck him and his fool punk-ass bitch posse that he rode in on!!!
Ooh - scared of you. Nobody cares about you and your threats of boycott Oreo boy. And that goes for your Billie Holiday wannabe woman.
I guess if you're boycotting Cristal it means you'll have to go back to Colt 45 Malt Liqour --- Oh whoops!
A Brother In Arms | 06.15.06 - 5:12 pm |
LOL! I don't even like Jay-z but the man OWNS Armadale Vodka. He can drink that not Colt 45.
samsy | 06.15.06 - 4:01 pm thanks for posting a more complete cut of Rouzaud's quote -- it's much better read contextualized like that. i posted earlier before you put the link up and now i think jay z's even more off-the-mark reactive than i did before.
LOL! I don't even like Jay-z but the man OWNS Armadale Vodka. He can drink that not Colt 45.
spitty | 06.15.06 - 6:00 pm | #
That's ghetto vodka.
Well, irregardless of what these people say, if I want to buy a product, I will. If I don't, I won't. And Jay-Z needs to tell his biatch to stop killing animals and wearing them around her neck, too.
Nice to know JayZ is using his fame to promote something worthwhile.
This screams "BOREDOM." He needs to find some meaning in his life.
Single-malt, eh? Dayum, you have expensive tastes. You must be one of those high maintenance girls.
My favorite is Glenmorangie. Yum.
brent | 06.15.06 - 5:54 pm | #
A fine, fine choice. The Glenmorangie is good, too.
yeahisaidit... | 06.15.06 - 5:58 pm | #
WAY TO PLAY THE POLITICAL-CARD...that's never been used before.
yeahisaidit... | 06.15.06 - 5:58 pm | #
BTW...why does one person (JayZ, George Bush) have to represent an entire race?? That's racist.
I feel that if you have only heard about Cristal through a video than you are probably not their target customer
Roy Scheider's Evil Twin | 06.15.06 - 5:57 pm | #
Oh no, not his roses! I hope they will be OK.
Let's settle this here and now!!!
The Four Tops, The O'Jays, The Spinners, The Commodores...
Jay-Z - Who the hell do you think you are? Sit down and shut-up!!!
if i had a "high end" product of which i or my family spent the last 100+ years fashioning our elitest reputation..i too would have mixed feelings about my products current popularity especially if it was inadvertantly being promoted by the rap industry...most businesses, of course, want more product recognition and $$$, but not at the price of exclusivity! look at LV, Burberry, Hermes, Minolo, etc...their name recognition has increased over the last couple of years and you find that many more people (perhaps not the ones they want) are buying their products...its good for making more $$$ but bad for a companys rep if you are trying to market your products as "being available to a select few"..and then you see it on a MTV video or an HBO sitcom...
*sigh*...now that i said that...JayZ needs to motivate his peeps to vote in November!
why is it that the rap and hip-hop industry can motivate to boycott Crystal but people can't take 5 minutes out of their day to take part in something that will effect their entire life?!?!
Much Ado About Nothing...Just like Daryl Hannah up a tree. Miss Hannah was born into wealth and Jay-Z is full of his own shit. Maybe if we all ignore both of them they'll go away.
I haven't said this lately but now is as good as a time as any...
I LOVE D'LISTED>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hip-hop is too ghetto, even for the cheapest beer you can think of. Many rappers might be "rich", but they have the manners and brain of a typing monkey. I woudln't want my product being associated with filthy typing monkeys either.
*grabs a cup of coffee and sits back to watch the ridiculous wank*
Anyone wanna join me? Full pot on the coffee maker, just over there! *points to pot*
*can white people play the race card?
*do white people play the race card?
*is the race card owned by just black people?
*can black people be skeptics, critics, cynics, clinically depressed or are they just whiners?
The "race card" is usually overused by black people. That's what I have noticed.
Cristal will not really be affected by this. In another couple of years, the filthy rich that have been buying it for centuries will likely come back.
What some ignorant people here don't get is that over-exposing a luxury brand cheapens it. Luxury is all about rareness and beauty, and if some uneducated loser who can barely speak English properly is flashing the brand, it'll lose cachet.
Hip-hop culture is putting African-Americans in debt by glorifying dumb shit like spinning rims, "bling" and designer labels. Most African-Americans (hell, people in general) should put their money in the stock market, buy a house, pay for college.
If African-Americans put as much energy into researching investments than they did finding out what brands they can't afford are hot, things would be much better and different for them.
The whole culture is bullshit, and I miss the days when smart rappers who actually gave a fuck about their communities could be successful.
Anonymous | 06.15.06 - 6:41 pm | #
I got some pot as well, a big 'ol bag of it
DAYUM!! Oh no they di'nT!!!!!!!
hey looks like shit in an off the rack suit there- i think he lost too much weight - and the cristal thing is clearly a marketing ploy - he probably has investments in another brand or- aware that the hip hop demographic is like a crack whore - when it comes to finding a new rock to smoke - will introduce some new swill that a bunch of recruited tastemakers and influentials will be forced to consume so the sheeple can try to follow on a pathetic aspirational level - its clear that they worship satan - and the wages of sin is death - i got an idea for you JAY Z- why not start an acadmey for gifted black kids for math and science and start a whole new paradigm - - nah forget just go back to more conspicuos( misspelled ok suck out my spooge) consumption-
Jay-Z is a business man and most of the Hip Hop really endorsed that stuff and made it even more popular. He's right, there are others out there and would happily take Jayz and other business. Not only is he losing Jazy but other business affilates that associate themselves with the business world. I am willing to bet the Trumps, Diddys, Oprahs and others will follow suit.
I am a lot others are right there with you Jay-Z
Team Jay-Z
That's ghetto vodka.
A Brother In Arms | 06.15.06 - 6:03 pm | #
Actually it is a small or was a small family owned European Brand of Vodka that apparently was on par in taste with the Smirnoff's and Absolutes. So Dame and Jay decided to buy it and promote their own liquor in songs. Smart business move.
Anyway, there is a TOUCH of racism to it. Some peopel automatically think something is better because it is done or owned or created by whites and europeans. That is how our history is taught. It is changing.
Me personally I think of hip-hop this way. These people, mostly poor and black loved music but did not have access to traditional instruments. They created their own and a new genre of music to boot by thinking outside the box.
And really that is what hip-hop is all about and the internet also. We are seeing that you don't have to play by traditional whitey rules to succeed (and that infuriates the fox news crowd). When you do play by 'whitey rules' it is like Vegas the deck is already stacked against you before you pick up your hand.
And when I say whitey rules it is not just regular ol' black folks that are tired of that game many white people are too. That is why so many people white black and otherwise are leaving or are trying to leave the corporate game and work for themselves.
Ever notice how Drudge and Faux news hate Google and companies with similar philisophies? They hate for someone to create a NEW business model and succeed when they don't share their politics. Last thing the talking up a recession was more about getting money out of young pregressive entrepreneurs hands and putting it back in the hands of the old guard: gas, oil, steel etc...
my 2 cents
Dumbass. Money is green.
Yeah money is green that is why his ass raked it in before he made such a stupid ass comment.
Cristal existed way before rap became huge and already was a well respected brand. They work on quality not quantity. It was always a choice by the disgustingly rich (people who have much more money than any rapper). Frederic is not being racist, he is trying to protect his clientele. Look at why Oprah will not bring any rappers onto her show. I personally love rap/hip-hop but its got to change its personality. Look at groups like Gnarls Barkley, they are not talking about "hos".
Did he really say that? Damn, dude has cajones. Why didn't he just go ahead and say, "I'm sure Colt 45 or Ripple would be preferred by these fried-chicken-and-watermelon-eating, tap dancing porch monkeys."
Jebus!
vlcupper | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:35 pm | #
Seriously.
Oh shit it's the end for Cristal.. Have u seen Cribs??? OMG the rappers have their refrigerators stocked with that shit...
They throw parties and buy thousands of bottles. Just Diddy ,4th of July party in the Hamptons alone, keeps them profitable!!! They have to apologize.. OMG
spitty | 06.15.06 - 7:41 pm | #
Hey spitty...remember that job that should have been mine and you stole...Well I want it back!
1. This post is misleading cos the comments have been taken out of context. Rouzaud is yet to respond to Jay's comments.
2. Dude doesn't want the hip hop community to drink his product, but whoever drinks it anyways? They just pour it out over women - maybe that's why he's pissed off, cos it's not good enough to drink...
3. I'm with Jay on this one, perhaps cos I listen to hip hop and rap (not the same ting, btw). If he doesn't want us drinking it (don't like it anyways, Team: Veuve Clicquot!), then we'll just stop drinking it. End of story, everybody's happy... Besides, it's not like anybody's begging to drink it.
Be Good.
I can't wait until ghetto rap is obsolete. If you think it won't happen - it will. In 5 years all the music is going to be back to the eighties style pop.
Lynette | 06.15.06 - 2:08 pm | #
DEAR GOD! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Who cares about Cristal. If you can score me a pair of Anna Kournikova's soiled panties then I'll really be uptown...or is that downtown?
And yes all you women...us guys like the idea of a beautiful young blonde's soiled panties. Deal with it!
Hey spitty...remember that job that should have been mine and you stole...Well I want it back!
The Minnesota Twin | 06.15.06 - 8:02 pm | #
Lmao you are funny. I never said what my ethnicity is. Anyway as long as black people were slaves there were jobs aplenty for them. But when 'the man' has to pay them, someone is STEALING YOUR JOB. This may be a shock to your system, but white people are not inherently more qualified for a position than other people. The difference is access.
Is standup your occupation? Anyway, black Americans are just getting started. I'm sure they will find their way. They will stumble just like everyone but they will bounce back.
Does this mean he is also giving up menthols and Lincoln Continental Town Cars and free government cheese and peanut butter? Hahahahahahahah
Thing about jobs. I lost a very good job earning a lot in a lay off. It taught me that I can't depend on a company. I did find something else but at a lower salary.
Like other people, MK included I'm trying to create a residual income for myself that doesn't make Goldman-Sachs and the like rich in the process. I'm trying to get out of the working for someone mentality. Maybe you should do the same.
In twenty years Jay-Z will have nothing beause he spent all his money on Cristal. Then he'll get on VH1 and complain that he was used just like Little Richard and Gary Coleman...Og my God, I didn't realize it but I sort of compared Jay-Z to a closet queen and a sawed-off little runt.
you're welcome anon 6:01. I'm just glad someone read it and responded accordingly. Never join a discussion unless you know all the facts, i feel. Or as much as you can. PEOPLE! read the article!
Dave Chappelle, as Nat King Cole, pouring champagne over the woman's chest... hilarious... was it Cristal?????
yo spitty, bravo! i dig the perspective you present in your posts here and how you handle the response to your comments...i love d-listed's irreverent, off handed, forked tongue gossip and humor, but it's great to find every once in a while posters who actually bring some level of genuine insight to some of the topics so it's not so one note...bash, bash, and more bash...not hatin' (on d-listed), just statin'...
In 5 years all the music is going to be back to the eighties style pop.
Lynette
Thats all ive been hearing since 1999
The "race card" is usually overused by black people. That's what I have noticed.
rotten egg | 06.15.06 - 6:50 pm | #
Because you don't understand racism and obviously don't live a life where you're constantly bombarded with it!
Which is quite obvious from your ignorant statement.
Don't speak of what you don't know!
I always preferd Dom Perignon!Never liked Cristal and never understood why people love it so much!
As a black woman, I say this is a good lesson for rappers and black stars to learn. Why waste all of your time making people rich who don't care about you?
Raqppers glorify this crap like their mom was Miss Cristal and now they see for themselves these white owned company don't want them/
Spend your money elsewhere. Like a black owned company that sells drinks.
Jay-Z has millions - Cristal's loss. They are stupid. Who drinks their stuff anyway, the prince of England? Gimme a break!
I HATE THE TERM THE RACE CARD. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
RACISM EXISTS. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE BLATANT TO EXIST.
LOOK INSIDE YOUR HEARTS AND SEE.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A STREET CORNER AND SAW A YOUNG BLACK MAN IN HIP HOP CLOTHING AND DID YOU WALK FASTER OR HELD YOUR PURSE?
THINK ABOUT ALL THE TIMES YOU MIGHT OF HAD A RACIST THOUGHT - EVEN A "HARMLESS" ONE...THEN TELL ME RACISM DOES NOT EXIST.
DON'T YOU THINK SEXISM EXISTS OR ARE WOMEN PLAYING THE "SEX" CARD WHEN THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT SOME WEIRDO GROPING THEM AT WORK?
THINK ABOUT IT!
what an elitest asswhole.Fuck him
All that glitters,
I just read your statement and I thought you were very concise. I felt what you were writing. and I think your attitude is very realistic and human.
And even though I usually hate to agree with anyone, as I am a hideous bitch. I am with you.
I remain,
The "race card" is usually overused by black people. That's what I have noticed.
rotten egg | 06.15.06 - 6:50 pm | #
Obviously you have never experienced racism in your life. It's really impossible to understand the effect that being Black in the United States can have on a person's psyche, self-image, and fundamental view of the world. Consider yourself lucky.
**Hip-Hop does not equal pop music Rap of 2006. Hip-Hop includes DJ'ing, MCeeing, Graffiti, and Breakdancing. The four pillars of Hip-Hop- a cultural movement born in the late 1970's from a subjugated people's need to express themseleves through art,poetry,dance, and music. Only after its appropration and bastardization has it become what you see today on MTV. The majority of those that have spoken here really have no clue what they are objecting against,as what you see on MTV and BET is not TRUE Hip-Hop. Until you know, then you don't know. The midwestern White kids that glorify 50 cent, and the "rappers" that commercialize what was meant to be the voice of the community do not represent TRUE Hip-Hop. It's like comparing Blink 182 to Led Zeppelin for you Rock heads out there.
In my opinion, Mr. Cristal and Sean Carter are BOTH right.
Prico (Dirtstar Diaries) | 06.15.06 - 1:47 pm | #
Ah, beat me to it.
Rouzard, sound more classist (another "ism" that still exists) if anything. I wish Jay-Z would take a more sensible spin on this, and not promote a product that most of its fan base can't afford to buy, perpetuating materialism, deep debt, etc. A bottle of Cristal is the amount of someone's rent for god's sake. Me, I could pay off one of my credit card bills for the the price of Cristal.
I bet is tastes like shit too. I'll take some $10.00 Asti, thanks.
coffey0072 | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 5:59 pm | #
Co-sign on that! (ugh, can't believe I used that term.
Sigh, I remember when BET had class (aka the Donnie Simpson Years)
LOL@ the stupidity spewed by Lynette, anon, and Co.
Tommy never said urban customers were "unwelcome". That's just a retarded urban legend like the about Lauren hill not wanting whites to buy her albums...
FUBU wasn't coined to be racist. The founders said they were making urban gear for their own hood and didn't realise how popular the style got with suburban/whites.
p.s.: fuck cristal!
p.p.s: SNOPES is your friend dumbasses.
Assuming that hip-hop is what black people are all about is racist. Disliking hip-hop isn't racist at all. To the person who mentioned Morgan Freeman - exactly.
Cristal has been around for quite some time - with or without "Hip Hop" - they will survive.
With this kind of publicity, I am MORE inclined to drink cristal now.
This company is being stupid though. They obviously don't have a good enough of a marketing department to deal with it. Just look at Louis Vitton as the completely opposite example. They found a way to keep they super rich white clients/status/prices but they also gained a greater demographic by embracing hiphop and have lil kim as one of their models. That's genius.
Cristal on the other hand are just a bunch of stupid little bitches like Burberry.
It's fucking retarded to find fault with Jay-Z's reaction. Rappers increased this company's brand exposure by a million percent without for FREE!!! Cristal talks shit about hiphop after it made them bigger than some bullshit niche company. They 100% deserve a boycott.
*without pay aka for FREE*
PFFT! Oh come on MK don't be so foolish and Naive. Getting rid of the hip hop element opens them up to the entire plethora of rich wasps and jews (and OPRAH) who will pay more than top dollar to fill their wine cellars with their champagne. I've worked in more then enough billionaires homes to know that Cristal will do just fine without that freak Jay-Z! Americans think hip hop is the american dream. LOL
PFFT! Oh come on MK don't be so foolish and Naive. Getting rid of the hip hop element opens them up to the entire plethora of rich wasps and jews (and OPRAH) who will pay more than top dollar to fill their wine cellars with their champagne. I've worked in more then enough billionaires homes to know that Cristal will do just fine without that freak Jay-Z! Americans think hip hop is the american dream. LOL
the makers of cristal are white. JayZ and the rest of the hip-hop community are black. they think the white people denied them business solely because they are black, which MUST be a form of oppression. thats all there is to it. this is just like the oprah incident, which was also blown out of proportion because of ludicrous cries of racism.
i respect cristal for doing this and anyone who doesn't is a naive moron, aight?
I'm sure this has been mentioned already, but that's not what happened at all. Fuck, MK, go ahead and tell a story, it's interesting enough on it's own. Jay-Z got upset about a quote that didn't come from the cristal people, but from the person INTERVIEWING the cristal people! (unwanted attention). Furthermore, the cristal people said (I'm paraphrasing, unlike some bloggers) 'we will take the business because I'M SURE DOM PERIGNON OR KRUG WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HAVE THEIR BUSINESS.' That was before the boycott even happened. I'm not trying to say that investigating hip hop boycotts is up there with fox news' special report that liberals = terrorists. Entertainment is easier. But there are still some standards. Even on a blog. Well, ok, there arent, but there is still a personal responsibility to make sure that every person who blindly reads what you write doesn't get the wrong impression. The cristal guy was dumb enough on his own. Let's make fun of that, instead of the fiction that we have in the post. The truth is plenty entertaining enough.
Louis Vuitton has a trash image now due to 1) Marc Jacobs desinging for it now (An American designing for a venerable French house) & 2) trashy celebs & hip hop hos sporting their "free" bags. Their demographic has changed from 50 years ago. It used to be royalty and the aristocracy (European) now it's Kimora Lee Simmons. Not so desireable now to that crust of folks.
When did Lil'Kim model for LV?
Even IF I haven't been a direct victim of racism, that old card is still overused by most of them. They can turn that around by trying to change their lifestyle and attitude, so that it reflects on the people who really turn them down.
Mr. Rouzaud is an idiot...besides...its not the black community that has brought hip-hop to the forefront...it was the young hip hop wannabe's WHITE community that did.
But I'm sure he doesn't mind well paid middle-easterner's buying his shit by the truckloads
honestly, who drinks Cristal besides people who can really afford their bottles? I'm not trying to be some ghetto bitch who has Louis Vuitton, and drinks Cristal, and has nothing to show for it. Cristal is known in the mainstream because of Lil' Kim and Jay Z, and 50 Cent. Now they aren't the best role models, so I can see Cristal's point.
It's not about race, it's about class. Black rappers nowadays have bought into the stereotype, and everyone else has followed. I don't buy liquor I can't afford. So Jay Z, keep boycotting. I can't feel your pain, but find something else to talk about....like black people not buying homes but buying cristal and grillz instead....
Just a random bit of info...70% of Louis Vuitton sales worldwide are from the Japanese...The same could be true of Cristal
That guy needs to realize that practically no one else is dumb enough to pay that much for his fucking alcohol.
Jay-Z is a good businessman. Cristal is sounding racist and evrybody hates racism. Cristal bit thier own A.
It would be great if hip hop artists would boycott using the n-word, b_word and H_ words in their songs and videos.
Until that day comes, I could care less what liquor companies have to say about their champagne being associated with the hip hop industry.
There's a war in iraq, children are starving all over the world. Why is this important? ugggggh!
The really sad part is that all three of those champagnes taste like ass in comparison to some others out there.
Jay-Z is worth about $400 million dollars, and I wish that he could give me some of it.
Oh... it's sooo on! That is some bullshit right there! Seriously - that is the most horrible, most stupid, most insulting thing I've heard anyone say in a long, long time. I hope Cristal is relagated to the history books, as a PR disaster.
It is totally racist, and I hope rappers and other musicians down with hip hop boycott Cristal as well. Let's see how they do without us.
I'm sure they will do just fine selling Cristal-like they did long before Beyonce's FUCKING UGLY ASS boyfriend was even old enough to drink it.
as far as i'm concerned - the hip hop community has always gotten a pass because no one wants to criticize anything they do because no one wants to be called "racist". i used to work at one of the most liberal weekly's in the country and it was incredible to see the double standard. the feminists at the paper got mad if a white man called a woman "honey" but you better believe they kept their mouth shut when rappers called woman "bitches" and "ho's".
i'm glad that guy from cristal called their bluff. it's about time.
I DON'T REALLY HAVE TIME TO READ ALL THE COMMENTS BUT SERIOUSLY THE HIP HOP COMMUNITY PUT CRISTAL ON THE MAP WHY IS THIS DUDE JUST NOW SAYING HE DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH AFTER HE'S MADE MILLIONS ACTUALLY I KNOW WHY DON'T ANSWER THAT. I DON'T THINK IT'S RACIST IT'S PREJUDICE AND THAT'S FACT. OH AND DON'T UNDERESTIMATE JAY-Z AND THE HIP HOP COMMUNITY'S POWER TO AFFECT WHAT PEOPLE WILL BUY AND DRINK BECAUSE IF THAT WASN'T THE CASE WE WOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.
bottom line is that the hip hop community needs to accept full responsibility for the image that they themselves have created. they've become multi-millionaires (in this disgusting repressive racist country of ours) posing as violent, materialistic, women-hating, super macho outlaws - and now they want to cry "racist" because some people say "you know - we would just as soon not be associated with violent, materialistic, women-hating, super macho outlaws".
Good for Cristal--that CEO is on the right track. The hip-hop culture, no matter the color, needs to just go away--it gives America a really rotten image.
MikeC... | 06.15.06 - 1:36 pm | #
And what culture is hip hop culture, fuck tard?
hip hop culture: black culture
You people are so quick to come down on hip hop but you forget where rock and roll came from?... LET ME HELP YOU OUT.
White known artist covering black artists songs in the 50"s creating race records.... AND popular bands like the Beatles and the Stones became popular through imitating BLACK BLUES ARTIST like Muddy Waters and the like. SO SHOVE IT ON ALL THE CRISTALS NOT RACIST COMMENTS , because while thier actions may not seem overtly racist like saying a racial slur that is the statement they are trying to make.
I hope Cristal burns.
Cristal was a well known brand for a particular socio economic group before rappers made it a household word and will continue to do so. Honestly, outside of rappers and the wannabees, how many people outside of Cristal's target audience purchase enough Cristal to make a dent in their profits. I doubt many. Rappers promoted as part of the lexicon, but how many of us actual buy it on the regular because we saw it in a video. Cristal and the other brands have cultivated a brand for eons of years before rap discovered it and frankly I doubt they want to be known as lubricant of choice for spraying over scantily clad beauty shaking women. Cristal knows who consistently pays the bills - when rappers move on to the next thing, Cristal will still have brisk sales from their target audience. If Jay-Z wants to boycott, he should pick a socially responsible issue. And let's not forget that Jay-Z has investments in the spritis industry - Hmmm... I wonder what he will promote instead of Cristal. Anyone hazard a guess?
i think they would prefer their clientelle to be more upscale people...businessmen, the filty stinking rich - and i'm sure those types of people are quite familiar with cristal, but their attention may go elsewhere if cristal gets a reputation of "ghetto"
i would totally do the same thing
Morticia | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:33 pm | #
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------------------------------
absolute-ly true. it has already gone to the ghetto.
WHO actually knows what race the of the man making the comments,Frederic Rouzaud. Did you assume he was white? Thats makes all you nigs a bunch loser racists. Just drink your Colt 45.
women call each other bitches and ho's quicker and more frequently than rappers do....go figure...
imprettyandyourenot | 06.16.06 - 11:14 am |
you cannot deny that a lot of hip hop has actively cultivated an image of violent thug life. why can't a person find this image offensive and at the same time not have any problem whatsoever with other segments of the black community?
are you saying it's impossible that i find most rap offensive and at the same time have hundreds of blues and soul and jazz cd's by black artists? if i secretly hated black people - wouldn't i find some excuse to put down all black music?
think about it - for you to be right that would mean i've spent thousands of dollars supporting black artists just to pretend that i'm not a racist.
it breaks my heart that you've bought into the lie that all white people are one of two things: either outwardly racist or else secretly racist. we're not. i like lots of things about the black community, and don't like others - exactly the way i feel about the white community. i don't like grudge, i don't like heavy metal, and i don't like rap.
oh and by the way - not that i think your blues analogy was in any way relevant - but i grew up listening to the stones, and they always made sure to turn us on to their sources. as a direct result - blues musicians like muddy waters were given second careers playing for white kids who idolized them.
Blanche--I think people are considering hip-hop and rap as it exists today. The roots of it and the quality of the music for the first decade or so of its existance is something I wish were still true about the genre today.
Again, Jay Z should be more concerned about the stereotypes and awful lifestyles his music and others in the genre promote today, and what that means for black youth of America.
Does anyone have more story on the video of JZ slapping a little girl?
i think they would prefer their clientelle to be more upscale people...businessmen, the filty stinking rich - and i'm sure those types of people are quite familiar with cristal, but their attention may go elsewhere if cristal gets a reputation of "ghetto" i would totally do the same thing
^^^Morticia | Homepage | 06.15.06 - 1:33 pm |
Yeah, those "non-ghetto" businessmen who like to pour a nice glass of Cristal to drink while they chat online with 14yrld girls, or the kind of "non-ghetto" businessmen who take sex vacations to resorts that supply magnum's of Cristal along with a choice of 10yrlds to enjoy.
yeahisaidit...
yo spitty, bravo! i dig the perspective you present in your posts here and how you handle the response to your comments...i love d-listed's irreverent, off handed, forked tongue gossip and humor, but it's great to find every once in a while posters who actually bring some level of genuine insight to some of the topics so it's not so one note...bash, bash, and more bash...not hatin' (on d-listed), just statin'...
yeahisaidit... | 06.15.06 - 9:46 pm | #
Thanks for the kudos..
I think what Frederic Rouzaud meant to say was that J-what'sit'sface and the rest of his posse would be better off drinking freshly squeezed Qwasawa melon juice left in a goats bladder to ferment for a couple of months, he could call it J-Juice. Shame poor J-whatsitsface always pulling the race card.
Good for Cristal. Everything turns racist with these rappers. Geez. And clearly some of the posters here don't understand what it means to own a luxury business. Image is everything, to A LOT of businesses, not just luxury brands either.
Okay, maybe his statement is not entirely racist. However, where does he get off putting a product on the public market to then decide who and what is acceptable to consume it?
If you're going to sell something - your personal music preferences, culture and monetary status should have no weight or generate no public statement regarding the product.
I don't care who the hell he is - neither does Cristal other than to keep producing it. It's a highly priced alcohol and the famous and large paychecks will continue to consume regardless of his personal taste.
Big ups to Jay-z for taking a stance on the pigeonhole presumptuous attitude towards his marketing. Be it racist or not, I do not believe it was an appropriate statement to make.
Steven:
"it breaks my heart that you've bought into the lie that all white people are one of two things: either outwardly racist or else secretly racist. we're not. i like lots of things about the black community, and don't like others - exactly the way i feel about the white community. i don't like grudge, i don't like heavy metal, and i don't like rap."
As a fellow "white person" or as I like to call it - human being, I'm not quite sure what you mean by the above - not even including the preceeding statements.
What does music have to do with the skin color of a community? I understand the culture bit, but I'm not quite sure what else would ask you to discern between what you do or don't like about a particular community based on their containing melanin count.
Sure, there's generalizations to be made - but I would think attacking gang warfare, drugs, violence, "ghetto"-ness, etc would have nothing to do with a particular racial group. It has to do witht he group of PEOPLE who exhibit that behavior.
Cheers to promoting a healthy outlook on a less discriminating environment - but get your perspective right.
There is ALWAYS an exception to the rule.
"and I miss the days when smart rappers who actually gave a fuck about their communities could be successful."
2PAC!!!!!
kate
i appreciate your response but i am totally bewildered by it. you seem to think that i interjected race into a discussion that was not about race. this whole topic is based on jay-z assertion that for a company to choose to not be associated with hip hop music - they MUST be racist.
what i and many other posters have pointed out is that a company, or an individual, can be disturbed by the violent, misogynist tone of so much the hip hop community and NOT BE RACIST.
and by the way - i have a very strong suspicion that jay-z would freak out if someone like george bush starting going on talk shows saying "jay-z" is his favorite hip hop artist. why? cause jay-z is a money making brand too, just like cristal. and trust me - jay-z doesn't want his brand to be known as the choice of george bush any more than cristal wants to be known as the choice of hip hop.
CRISTAL IS PISSWATER!!! hA.. aND i AGREE IT'S NOT RACIST IT'S PREJUDICE.
Great statement steven!!! Let's see how Jayz would react if Bush (or retirement homes or whatever!)started claiming his music.... an interesting thought....
and on another note, anyone who sells anything can say what they want about their own product, and the consumer gets to decide if they still want to buy it, if you don't like what Frederic said, then DON'T buy his product... i'm sure he understands that concept...
Who really gives a fuck about how some luxury brand feels about an overpayed perfomer, or vice versa.
people need to realize there's more to life than this shit. Someone a while back made a comment about the irony of diamonds. Spot-fucking on. Hypocrisy is the greatest luxury.
I'ma buy me a $17,000 diamond and white-gold sucky for my newborn so slavery can live on.
Fuck Iraq, let's worry about what some fat-cat American and Frenchy are squabbling about. 'cuz if we can't talk about important stuff like that then the terrorists and the racists and liberals and the neo-cons, and wiccans and....fuck it
Damn sorry yo, 200 posts or whatever gets your mind a racing.
Im sure getting the name Cristal out of every article about a gangland or rap shooting would be great.
Thumbs up Fred
Hmm "gone ghetto"..interesting. Funny how money never "goes ghetto" as long as executives continute to rake in big bucks and as long as these "ghetto" people continue to buy their products and promote them. If a product wasn't mean to be bought in a free market...then it shouldn't be sold. I'm sorry that I, who consider myself a member the hip-hop community, is such a disgrace to consumers world-wide. That my music should bar me from wanting the finer thng sin life if I have the means to supply myself with it. That you would choose to turn down my dollar because of the choice of music I listen/play/produce/perform. Im appalled by some of these comment on this post. If you don't like hip-hop fine...but you are showing your blantant predjudice in regards to an entire musical community. Stop trying to sugar coat the fact that you use ignorant stereotypes to try and prove a point. You might as well stop "sugar coating" who you are really pointing your fingers at. Regardless if I agree or disagree with Jay Z's opinion on whether or not the comment by the executive is racist...I will say this...Hip Hop is AUTOMATICALLY associated with the Black community. Regardless of the few Eminem's that dot its vast dispora. Hip Hip is labled as Black music and of course I can understand why Jay Z would take offense. For the commenter who only saw hip-hop as being some gold tooth wearing guy with a huge medallion...you obviously are ignorant to the fact that hip hop is multi faceted. For the commenter who says hip-hop is whats wrong with America...I'm sorry the man in the White House, the shady political parties, the social and economic disparities in this country is whats wrong with America. Not Music. Corporate America has no problem taking our money...but they continue to have a problem with us...things never change. I for one, would have never purchased Cristal because I think its ridiculous to spend a huge amount of money on something you are going to pee out later in the night. But if someone else wants to...by all means. The executive's comment reflect his social-economic ignorance and reminds men of many social situations that I thought we have grown from.
Hip-hop music sucks. Who cares what they drink anyway. All you fans of this music and boycott are idiots. Be afraid for the future of this world, all the brain dead that may eventually be running things.
Think Mr Cristal is very very smart.
Why would Cristal's owners WANT to be associated with a trend (that will pass) amoung LOW CLASS hood new money ??
That association sure has not done Beyonce any good ... T-rash these days.
Smart man protecting his brand from association with hoods. The man is not selling kicks afterall.
pffft... what a douche... Cristal is a very nice champagne, not a freaking status symbol. And if he thinks a boycott will actually hurt roederer's sales, he's crazy. Regular folks will probably start buying cristal again now that there's less of a chance they'll be viewed as wannabe blingsters. They'll just be buying good champagne, not a "name". I prefer perriet-jouet. But if JayZ makes that his new brand, I'll switch to something else.
Good for Frederic! I think any product that the hip hoppers embrace automatically gets ghettofied...no matter what color the hip hoppers are. (That's you, too, K-Fed!) It's not racist, it's just that they act so trashy and nasty with their drugs, babymother/misogynistic culture, and rampant status-seeking. Instead of cleaning up their attitudes, they choose to slip on that comfortable, "racism" jacket. Nice.
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