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Tough Rap For Champagne Marketer

Marketers take note: insult hip hop stars at your own risk. High-end champagne marketer Cristal learned that lesson the hard way when rapper Jay-Z launched a hip-hop boycott of the beverage. Jay-Z--as well as Sean Combs, Snoop Dogg, and dozens of other rappers--have extolled the virtues of Cristal for years, making references to the champagne in their lyrics. Also, hip-hop events in recent years have stocked Cristal, which usually sells for anywhere between $100 and $1,000 a bottle, but no more. "It has come to my attention that the managing director of Cristal, Frederic Rouzaud, views the hip-hop culture as 'unwelcome attention,'" Jay-Z said in a statement. "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." In an interview with The Economist, Rouzaud said the champagne's association with rap was viewed with "curiosity and serenity." "What can we do?" Rouzaud said in the interview. "We can't forbid people from buying it. I'm sure Dom Pérignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business." In response, Jay-Z said The 40/40 Club will now serve only Krug and Dom Pérignon.

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