Rap Snacks

Now, hear me out, readers:

The area adjacent to my house happens to be subsidized housing. Invariably, every so often garbage blows over a couple blocks and lands on our doorstep (shocker). Typically, it’s something mundane, like a Snicker’s wrapper, or an empty bag of Funyuns. Not today, though. Today, Kim and I located a bag of Rap Snacks(tm) brand (I swear I am not making this up) Bar-b-quin’ with my Honey Flavored Chips. Note the adjacent scan I made of the bag, and help me perform some analysis of the marketing…More after the Jump.

 According to Wikipedia: Rap Snacks are a variety of potato chips and popcorn that feature famous rappers. They are generally sold in convenience stores, particularly in inner-city areas. They are advertised as “The Official Snack of Hip Hop.”

Steve’s comment: Follow me down the list of these quotes by rappers…

Rapper Flavor Quote
Lil Romeo Cheesy BBQ “Stay in school.”
Master P Platinum BBQ “Start your own business.”
YoungBloodz Southern Crunk BBQ “Get crunk!”
Big Herk Hot Sauce “Don’t waste your talent.”
Stat Quo Sour Cream & Extra Cheddar “Pursue your college degree.”
Murphy Lee Red Hot Riplets “Pimp education.”
Pastor Troy Hot Cheezie Popcorn “Stop playin and get serious.”
Big Tymers Sour Cream & Dill “We have came a long way.”
Pretty Willie Salsa Cheese “Love your neighbor.”
BBD Back at the Ranch “Education = Success”
Dirt McGirt Sour Cream & Onion “Think responsibly.”
Ms. Toi Sweeties “Respect your self.”
Magic Honey Dew Cheese Curls “Reading is fundamental.”
Mack 10 Red Hot Cheddar “Say no to drugs.”
Baby BAR-B-Quin With My Honey Popcorn “Stay away from guns.”
Warren G Cheezie Nacho “Respect your elders.”
Yung Joc Original Cheese Curls “Reading is fundamental.”
Chopper Young City Pork Skins & Cracklins “Seize every opportunity.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Did anybody catch an outlier on these quotes? Most of the quotes are both informative and motivational. Who would have thought that Yung Joc agrees that “Reading is fundamental?” Why, though, are the YoungBloodz just out to “Get Crunk!” Kind of demotivator to the rest, if you ask me. Don’t you agree? This one “crunk” marketing stunt brings down the rest as quickly as a tenth-grade pothead.

Now, for comments about the packaging…

  1. Famous Rapper Lil’ Romeo clearly provides his endorsement, but what about his “Honey”? Does she also endorse these chips?
  2. Given the tragic graduation rates of many youths in the adjacent projects, I admire the “Stay in School” banner along the center of the bag. However, shouldn’t we teach proper grammar as well? Clearly, “Bar-b-quin’” should be listed as “barbecuing”. The Phonetic spelling could be admissible with a proper disclaimer of the spelling of the verb usage for the word “barbecue.”
  3. Does USC know that Lil’ Romeo is (presumably) putting this junk food in his body before a challenging NCAA basketball season?

Noodle this one though, fellow readers. I am still scratching my head.