Pitchfork

You know what this is? It's a boycott, bitches! According to the Associated Press, Jay-Z has decided to boycott popular champagne brand/universal status symbol Cristal because of comments made by Frédéric Rouzaud, managing director of the Louis Roederer winery that produces the beverage.

Rouzaud's controversial comments appeared in an article titled "Bubbles and Bling" in the Summer 2006 issue of Intelligent Life, an annual lifestyle publication from the publishers of The Economist. When asked by writer Gideon Rachman "if an association between Cristal and the bling lifestyle could actually hurt the brand," Rouzaud responded, "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."

The article prompted Jay-Z to respond with the following statement:

"It has come to my attention that the managing director of Cristal, Frédéric 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."

Unfortunately, the issue does not seem to be as cut-and-dry as Jay-Z makes it out to be, as Rachman was actually the one to refer to Rouzaud's view of his hip-hop clientele's enthusiasm as "unwelcome attention," even making it a title for one of the article's sections. In fact, Rouzaud's other comments included reference to his company's "curiosity and serenity" in its relationship to supporters in the hip-hop world.

Whatever Rouzaud's intentions, the boycotting businessman's position remains clear. According to Jay-Z spokesman Ron Berkowitz, "They're trying to distance themselves from the hip-hop community." Jay-Z will be replacing Cristal with Dom Perignon and Krug as the champagnes of choice in both the Manhattan and Atlantic City locations of his 40/40 Club. Hopefully Rouzaud was right in saying the companies would appreciate the business. If not, there's always Courvoisier.

Whoa, check this out: Derrik J. Lang over at the Associated Press' asap site, created a mix of Jay-Z's "greatest Cristal mentions (from 'Dead Presidents II', 'Feelin It', 'Can't Knock the Hustle', 'Imaginary Player', 'I Love the Dough', 'Somebody's Girl' and 'Excuse Me, Miss'.)"