Nelly Gone Global?

Nelly Gone Global?
May 15, 2007
AMW !.e. Talent: Andrea M. White

The question goes through my head, “Is this a monumental move for Nelly” or “Is homeboy setting us back like 100 years with this mess”; any way you look at it Nelly is going Global. The St. Louis native has inked a deal to distribute his Pimp Juice Energy Drink, Apple Bottoms and Vokal Clothing brands through the continent of Africa. Starting May 18, Nelly along with his Mojalife partner will begin selling 1.5 million cans in South Africa; and according to Peter Friedman, Mojalife Creative Director, they will produce 1 to 1.5 million cans locally on a monthly basis. The cans will also be sold in Australia and New Zealand.

The rapper’s Pimp Juice brand fell victim to some backlash 2003 due to the controversial name chosen for the juice and the message that it sent to young fans. Despite the controversy, Nelly managed to link with the Mojalife distributor. What most may not know is that Mojalife chairman Mathews Phosa, a well-known member of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC), has stated that the PIMP in Pimp Juice stands for, "positive, intellectually motivated persons." The distribution plan seems to be a positive step in the right direction for the Hot in Herre rapper, who has been tagged to reach the heights of Russell Simmons due to this new deal.
Many hip-hop artists and rappers from the U.S. have unimaginable influence in African hip-hop culture. Unfortunately the African hip-hop culture has also grown fond of the “gangsta” hip-hop that has plagued the U.S. music industry. This is another reason that the Pimp Juice brand may again experience backlash from music industry leaders who are beginning to grow tired of the negative messages rappers continue to spread throughout the country and the world.

Unfortunately the stories released regarding the Pimp Juice, Apple Bottom Clothing, Vocal Clothing, and Derry Entertainment did not include any information about how many jobs will become available due to the expansion of the brands. The available information did not include any of the positive aspects you would expect to hear when you have an African American expanding their enterprise into any African country. How will Pimp Juice and its cousins assist these nations into building a better quality of life? What positive results can we expect to see by having Pimp Juice and Apple Bottoms available to African teenagers? Hopefully, Nelly will come forward and speak more about this new venture.


Source: Sixshot