Starcasm
50 Cent’s vodka brand has been boycotted by several Cincinnati businesses after he posted a video on Instagram mocking a young man he thought was high on drugs. The airport custodian, Andrew Farrell, has autism, and his family is allegedly looking to sue if the MC doesn’t give them $1 million toward their son’s GoFundMe campaign.
According to TMZ, Farrell’s parents, Amanda and Ken Kramer, have hired lawyers. The only reason they haven’t filed a lawsuit just yet is because of high attorney fees. The Kramers’ alleged money extortion includes a face-to-face apology for the incident.
Ken claims his son doesn’t know who 50 Cent is, yet the family has since accepted the rapper’s apology. In a statement, they said the event has been “an emotional roller coaster that we are ready to put to rest.” They also requested that the rapper make a donation to Autism Speaks.
The Farrell’s new statement contradicts earlier reports of blackmail and there was no mention of how the $1 million would be used in the first place.
Since the video was posted, outrage has followed from Cincinnati business owners.
According to WLWT, a dozen local businesses are boycotting Effen Vodka, which is the liquor line 50 was in town to promote on May 3. Holy Grail Tavern & Grille started the boycott, and others joined in. MOTR Pub is one of the businesses that is discontinuing the sale of the brand. Area grocery stores, like Jungle Jim’s, have also stopped selling the rapper’s vodka.
Several Cincinnati bars used Twitter to show their disgust with the rapper’s actions.
We found the PERFECT use for Effen Vodka!! pic.twitter.com/cspJP4lFC1
— BelowZeroLounge (@BelowZeroLounge) May 3, 2016
@holygrailbanks @effenvodka @Dickmanns is with you! He's an #effenidiot. pic.twitter.com/fGyMTZZwva
— Best Sports Bar! (@Dickmanns) May 3, 2016
4EG bars no longer carry @effenvodka nor will we be carrying it anytime in the future.
— 4EG (@FourEG) May 3, 2016
Dan McCabe, co-owner of MOTR, echoed the sentiments of Four Entertainment Group. After telling the local news station he “tried to watch the video and frankly I couldn’t get through it,” he says his bar “won’t be carrying [Effen Vodka] again.” He adds, “this is an issue that personally impacts this ownership group and our staff and we find the situation appalling. If we can join in in any cause on that front, we’ll do it.”
