By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Hip Hop has always been known to be controversial, but it appears that scandalous lyrics are causing the pockets of rappers to get a lot lighter these days. Rapper Rick Ross lost his Reebok endorsement due to rapping about what many felt sounded like an ode to date rape, and Lil Wayne’s endorsement with Mountain Dew was in threat by the Emmett Till family due to the offensive lyrics he penned regarding the civil rights icon’s brutal death and beating. Although Lil Wayne acknowledged the issue in a letter, the Till family was not impressed considering he never formally apologized. While they did call for an immediate meeting with Weezy and Mountain Dew, it appears that the soda giant has decided to drop Lil Wayne from endorsing its product. TMZ reports:
Lil Wayne will no longer “do” Mountain Dew … the soda company announced it’s DROPPING the rapper over a rap verse in which he compared the beating of Emmett Till to rough sex.
Wayne was a major spokesperson for Mountain Dew –starring in several commercials. Wayne began appearing in Dew ads in early 2012. Mountain Dew is owned by PepsiCo.
It’s unclear when PepsiCo will stop running ads featuring the rapper.
Weezy came under fire back in February over a verse he dropped on the song “Karate Chop” … in which he said, “Pop a lot of pain pills, ’bout to put rims on my skateboard wheels … beat that p***y up like Emmett Till.”
While we’re not sure if the meeting ever happened between Lil Wayne, the Till Family, Al Sharpton, and Mountain Dew; it’s clear the soda company feels it’s just best to sever all ties with the rapper concerning this controversy.
Good news. It’s a new day for Hip Hop. Now you have to be held responsible for what you’re rapping about.
This is true.
They did the right thing BUT they should have never linked up with him in the first place. Why would you want Lil Wayne to represent your brand? Eek.
Damn…
WELL WELL WELL another dumb asp-s rapper loses an endorsement because of pride. Let this be a lesson to these dumb a-s rappers you are not so big of a superstar that your pockets can’t be touched. SMARTEN UP!!!!
Thank you Mountain Dew. The company clearly has more respect for Emmett Till than this black rapper does. How sad.
Agreed.
When you’re an idiot, you will lose multimillion dollar endorsements because of arrogance. All he had to do was apologize. That “letter” was pathetic.
I’m so happy for the Till Family!!!! Lord knows they have already been through enough.
These companies are just as dumb as the rappers they are firing. Why would you want rappers associated with violence representing your company? Makes no sense.
Whoa. I really didn’t think Mountain Dew would do it because it’s concerning a black civil rights figure. I have to say, I have gained a lot of respect for Pepsi.
Good!
Wow, I’m shocked. Didn’t see this coming at all.
THANK YOU! Let’s continue to hold these rappers responsible!
Welp, that’s that.
DAYUM!!!!
So is Meek Mill’s dusty azz going to protest against Mountain Dew too? LMAO
That’s what he gets. No apology, no endorsement.
Lil Wayne & Rick Ross thought they were untouchable. It doesn’t work that way.
EXACTLY!!!!!!!
When you endorse these brands, it’s like you are an employee for these companies. They have every right to terminate you if you make them look bad. Business 101.
Good. Companies need to really start looking into who they bring in to represent their brand.
funny that they dont drop you if you say you kill 50 n-ggas in a song or sell crack and wouldnt have dropped him if the Till family hadnt stepped up. they shouldnt sign to these companies anyway the companies dont care about black people just selling their product.