Jay-Z Bans Cristal and Cries “Racism!”

The Jigga-man, who was “popping that Cristal when y’all niggaz thought it was beer and shit,” has banned the $600 champagne from his clubs due to what he calls “racist” comments made by the company. What were these racist comments?

Asked about hip-hop’s obsession with Cristal, [the Marketing Director] said he treated it with “curiosity and serenity” and later, when asked whether he saw the publicity as detrimental to the brand, he said, “That’s a good question, but what can we do? We can’t forbid people from buying it. I’m sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business.”

Funny, I don’t see any reference to African Americans, so how could those comments be racist? And furthermore, he doesn’t even say anything negative about hip hop culture. He says “That’s a good question, but what can we do?” meaning that even if it bothered them, it wouldn’t matter becuase they wouldn’t be able to do anything about.

But even if he did express a dislike of his champagne being associated with hip hop culture, would that be so bad? If you were the manufacturer of an expensive premium champagne, would you want rappers saying “sip the Cris’ and get pissy-pissy” in the same song that they talk about “the dope spot, with the smoke Glock, fleein the murder scene”?

We love you, Hov, but not everyone likes drug dealing and gun violence — Don’t take it personally!

New York’s Hot 97 Radio Sued for Excessive Violence

New York City’s Hot 97 is being sued by the building’s landlord because of frequent gun battles in front of the building. They are requesting that Hot 97 be evicted from the building because their rapper guests are inciting violence and engaging in delinquent behaviors “that have shocked, offended, repulsed, or threatened the safety of other tenants.”

Rappers named in the lawsuit include Capone from Capone-n-Noreaga, Lil Kim, Junior M.A.F.I.A., The Game, 50 Cent, Cam’ron, DMX, P. Diddy, Suge Knight, Jay-Z, Tony Yayo, Nas and Funkmaster Flex. Also named was rapper Gravy, who was shot in the butt in front of Hot 97 last week.

Can’t we all just get along?

Highlight: DMX, known for always acting like a respectable gentleman, was involved in an altercation with a security guard that wouldn’t let his friend in. DMX responded in his characteristic kind and gentle way: “F*** you, $8.50 an hour fa***t. If you step outside I’ll kick your f***ing a** you bi**h.“