Birdman Threatens Major Companies
ash Money leader Birdman recently spoke out about Rick Ross being dropped from Reebok, and how if he wanted to, he could have easily started a boycott of the sneakers. “Really, we could’ve reversed that [termination of endorsement deals] because my whole take was, ‘Since they wanna clown, I can clown and group all my people up.’ But on the respect I have for Swizz [Beatz, a Reebok partner], that’s why I didn’t clown,” Birdman told Sway. “I could’ve put all my people together and say, ‘Now my culture and my community, we’re not supportin’ y’all.’” Birdman says he wouldn’t apologize for any of his lyrics and the next time one of his artists come under fire from a corporate entity, he’s ready to flex his muscle. “Next time, we’re gonna stand up and we’re gonna shut that sh– down,” he threatened. (MTV) Other rappers, such as Meek Mill, also spoke out about not supporting the shoe company due to Rick Ross being dropped: “F*ck Reebok, we wear Pumas,” Meek said in an interview. “That’s what we do. We wear Pumas. As far as Ross’ situation with Reebok, I just don’t approve of none of that. I don’t approve of no companies trying to dib and dab in our culture and then when you make a mistake they dip out on you. They’re still making money off our brand. I’m very against that. Ross is off Reebok and Reebok is still going to make money off of Ross. Before Rick Ross, Swizz [Beatz] and Tyga, it was no Reebok no more. These companies actually follow our culture and make money off of our culture and pay us like a pimp out. ‘This b*tch ain’t working today. Put her off the strip.’ If you fire me, we’re going to tear your sh*t back down. Nobody’s wearing Reebok no more. Reebok ain’t cool. Don’t wear that.” (Civil TV)