S. Samuel
Days after PepsiCo. Inc. officially cut ties with Lil Wayne, the renowned soda beverage company has decided to meet with late civil rights symbol Emmett Till's family.
According to reports, the face-to-face meeting will take place today (May 8).
PepsiCo Inc. officials will meet Wednesday with members of Emmett Till’s family and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton continued to press for the meeting last week after the company’s partnerships with Lil Wayne and Tyler, the Creator, of Odd Future to promote Mountain Dew sparked controversies. The meeting to be held at PepisCo headquarters in Purchase comes as an outcry over offensive lyrics increases. Reebok recently ended its partnership with Rick Ross for similar reasons. Sharpton said last week that corporations have a civic responsibility when deciding who they partner with. (Huffington Post)
Last week, the Till family spoke on PepsiCo Inc.’s decision to ditch Weezy over his controversial “Karate Chop” remix lyrics.
“Back in February, when I first heard the lyrics, I was in utter shock, disappointment and sadness. Just as Mamie Till Mobley didn’t endure the pain of losing Emmett Till alone, many people have stood in solidarity with our family, even if it wasn’t the most popular stand to take. The road less traveled is surely not the easiest but standing for your principles provides the endurance needed to fight for human and civil rights. This decision was monumental, we commend Mountain Dew for taking action towards better social responsibility, and now I finally feel that we can exhale and focus on our beloved Mamie Till Mobley’s charge, “Let’s get on with the business of positive thinking and living”.”” (AHH)
The Pepsi/Wayne break-up news spread like wildfire late last week.
PepsiCo is cutting its ties with Lil Wayne after the rapper made a crude reference to civil rights martyr Emmett Till in a song. Lil Wayne, one of the biggest stars in pop music, had a deal to promote the company’s Mountain Dew soda. Earlier this week, PepsiCo also pulled an online ad for the neon-colored soda that was criticized for portraying racial stereotypes and making light of violence toward women. The ad was developed by rapper Tyler, the Creator. (Billboard)
Both Wayne’s camp and PepsiCo Inc. issued statements on their publicized separation.
PepsiCo Inc. said in a statement late Friday that Wayne’s “offensive reference to a revered civil rights icon does not reflect the values of our brand.” It declined to provide any further comment. A publicist for Lil Wayne, Sarah Cunningham, said that the split was due to “creative differences” and that it was an amicable parting. “That’s about all I can tell you at this time,” she said. (Mercury News)
