in NYC. He leads the way in boycotting
both personally and professionally after the makers of the champagne turned their noses up at the hip-hop community.
He said: "It has come to my attention that the managing director of Cristal, Frederic Rouzaud views the 'hip-hop' culture as 'unwelcome attention'.
"I view his comments as racist and will no longer support any of his products through any of my various brands including The 40/40 Club nor in my personal life."
Cristal boss, Frederic Rouzaud responded: "I'm sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business."
1
Racist? Personally, I would not want my product touted by anyone who encourages, embraces, and acts in a manner that glorifies violence, gangs, drugs, and treats women in a demeaning manner.
Posted by: Just one guy's opinion at June 16, 2006 07:40 AM (HA242)
2
I talked to Jay yesterday when this story broke ... it's the right move to part ways. Frederic should thank the hip hop community for making Cristal a household name associated with wealth.
Posted by: Iceman at June 16, 2006 08:15 AM (Iomwr)
3
This has been happening with many different types of products. Burberry, for instance, has been trying to do the same thing that Cristal just did for years.
It's been a well documented problem. Also, Cristal was a household name before hip-hop. It just wasn't a household name in households that listen to hip-hop.
Posted by: Grant at June 16, 2006 08:25 AM (03INu)
4
I agree with "Just one guy's opinion" whole-heartedly as well as Grant's comment.
You are known by the company you keep.
Posted by: Nanc' at June 16, 2006 09:10 AM (Ailrt)
5
I'm sure it was a household name to the elite or wealthy. However, I'd love to see revenue statistics and sales volume numbers since its indoctrination into the world of hip hop thanks to the likes of R Kelly and Jay Z. I think you'll quickly see my point.
Posted by: Iceman at June 16, 2006 12:47 PM (Iomwr)
6
The House of Louis Roederer has existed since the 1700s and, as everyone knows, Cristal was the champagne choice of tsars. There is no doubt that the hip-hop group boosted sales and made the name "Cristal" more COMMON, however, the House will certainly not be thrown into default should that particular crowd shun them. Champagne making - especially in France - is still considered an art and even in business, money isn't always everything. This champagne fan raises her glass to Monsieur Frederic Rouzaud. He had the b***s to take a stand.
Posted by: Nanc' at June 16, 2006 02:15 PM (Ailrt)
7
I think hip-hop should get some credit for bringing Cristal to the attention of those who would normally never have known about it: teenagers. Do you really think the attention increased demand overall (seriously, not being facetious)? IÂ’m curious because hip-hop fans are either too young to drink or lack the financial resources to spend a few hundred dollars on a bottle of champagne. But, like I said in my original post, I would not want my product to be associated with the tenets of hip-hop.
Posted by: Just one guy's opinion at June 16, 2006 02:59 PM (HA242)
8
I think you're underestimating the dollars spent / attention given by hip hop ARTISTS themselves ... i.e. R Kelly, Jay Z, etc. I'm not just talking about teenagers.
I realize it has been around for a long time; I'm not saying nobody knew about it until hip hop came around. The culture made it "cool" and "trendy" so everyone started buying bottles as their sign of status in American society.
Posted by: Iceman at June 17, 2006 01:02 PM (dVNHb)
9
Perhaps it had the opposite effect? Although hip-hop artists started to consume it in mass, it may have driven down sales because the wealthy elite who made it a staple of their life styles no longer found it palatable. It would be interesting to see their sales records. I do think producers of luxury items such as this are not motivated so much by the almighty dollar. Rather, I think they would prefer to keep their product associated with an aristocratic lifestyle, not gangstasÂ’ and pimps (or those who play them on television).
Regardless, I have to admit, if it had not been for hip-hop, I would not know about this champagne. I prefer beer or a nice Italian wine. And, I grew up watching Bond, thus, Dom Perignon springs to mind when I think of expensive carbonated French white wine.
Posted by: Just one guy's opinion at June 19, 2006 07:51 AM (HA242)
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