Snoop Dogg, the iconic rapper known for his smooth rhymes and laid-back persona, is trading the microphone for the courtroom in a heated dispute with retail giant Walmart. This time, the battleground isn’t the music industry, but the breakfast aisle. Snoop Dogg, along with his business partner Master P, has filed a lawsuit against Walmart and cereal manufacturer Post Consumer Brands, alleging deliberate sabotage of their cereal brand, “Snoop Cereal.”
Snoop Dogg and his business partner Master P who is also a renowned rapper Master P owns a breakfast company together named Broadus Foods which according to its website supplies breakfast cereals, pancake mix, maple syrup and more. The lawsuit now alleges that after Post initially attempted to buy Snoop Cereal outright, the company switched tactics to “choke Broadus Foods out of the market” when the rappers refused to sell. This alleged sabotage reportedly took several forms:
Snoop Dogg And Master P Suis Walmart Over ‘Cereals’, Here’s What The Lawsuit Alleges:
- Online Invisibility: The lawsuit claims Post falsely listed Snoop Cereal as “out of stock” on its website, effectively hiding it from potential customers looking to buy online.
- Pricey Puffs: The rappers allege that Post deliberately priced Snoop Cereal significantly higher than other options, exceeding their goal of offering an “affordable product”.
- Shelf-Sitting Sabotage: The most explosive allegation points to Walmart’s role in the alleged scheme. The lawsuit claims that Walmart purposefully kept Snoop Cereal in stockrooms instead of displaying it on shelves in numerous stores across 20 states. Videos shared by the lawyer of the two, Benjamin Crump (known lawyer for civil rights) show customers asking for Snoop cereals and unidentified Walmart employees searching on their system only to find them ‘Out of stock’ while the video forwards to finding the shipments in the stockrooms of the Supermarket chain.
- Unfavorable contract terms: The suit alleges that the contract with Post forced Snoop Dogg and Master P to buy back any unsold cereal, putting them at a significant financial disadvantage.
These actions, according to the lawsuit, were not merely business decisions, but racially motivated attempts to stifle a successful black-owned brand. Snoop Dogg and Master P believe their cereal faced unfair treatment compared to similar products, highlighting the broader issue of minority participation and success in the food industry.
Walmart and Post have vehemently denied the allegations. Walmart claims they fulfilled their contractual obligations and displayed the cereal as agreed upon highlighting its strong history of “supporting entrepreneurs” and claimed many affects to be affecting the sales of the product hinting low sales of Broadus Foods.
Post, while admitting initial interest in buying the brand, asserts they treated Snoop Cereal fairly and followed standard distribution practices and said they were “equally disappointed” when the consumers’ demands were not met with expectations.
The legal battle is far from over, and the truth likely lies somewhere between the stark accusations and the companies’ denials. However, the case has sparked crucial conversations about:
- Fairness in retail partnerships: The lawsuit raises questions about the power dynamics between large retailers and smaller brands, particularly those owned by minorities. Does the current system offer equal opportunities for all, or are there hidden obstacles holding some back?
- Representation in the food industry: The absence of diverse ownership in the breakfast aisle is undeniable. Does this case represent a larger struggle for minority-owned food brands to gain a foothold and achieve success?
- Transparency and accountability: If proven true, the alleged actions by Walmart and Post would be egregious examples of corporate manipulation. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for holding companies accountable for discriminatory practices.