Snoop Dogg and Master P Take on Walmart: The Battle Over Snoop Cereal

Rapper Snoop Dogg, alongside his business partner Master P, is making headlines once again, but this time it’s not for his music or cultural influence. Instead, it’s for a legal battle against retail giant Walmart and cereal manufacturing company Post Consumer Brands. The dispute? The alleged sabotage of their brand, “Snoop Cereal,” which hit the market in 2022.

A Taste of Injustice

When Snoop Cereal made its debut on Walmart shelves last year, it was a momentous occasion, heralded as the first-ever black-owned cereal brand under the parent company Broadus Foods. Master P emphasized the significance, stating, “This has been going on for over 100 years, that we’ve been consumers and never owners, so we’re changing that game.” It was a bold move, a step towards economic empowerment and representation in an industry where diversity is often lacking.

Rapper Snoop Dogg, pictured here in his home state California, is suing Walmart and a cereal manufacturing company along with his business partner, Master P.Emma McIntyre—Getty Images

However, the celebration was short-lived. Snoop Dogg and Master P soon found themselves embroiled in a controversy that threatened the success of their venture. Fans across 20 different states reported difficulties finding Snoop Cereal on Walmart’s shelves. Anecdotal evidence from supporters flooded social media, alleging that the cereal was being kept in stock rooms, away from public view.

Legal Wrangling

Enter Benjamin Crump, the renowned civil rights attorney representing the two rappers. At a news conference, Crump expressed outrage over the situation, stating, “At dozens of Walmarts all across America, everybody went and said, ‘Where is Snoop’s cereal?'” The accusation was clear: Walmart was deliberately sidelining Snoop Cereal, depriving it of the visibility needed for success.

Adding fuel to the fire, Crump revealed that the contract signed by Snoop Dogg and Master P mandated them to repurchase any unsold cereal. This clause, coupled with Walmart’s alleged actions, painted a picture of injustice and financial burden for the artists-turned-entrepreneurs.

The Corporate Response

In response to the allegations, Post Consumer Brands (formerly Post Foods), the cereal manufacturer, expressed disappointment over the situation. A representative stated, “We were equally disappointed that consumer demand did not meet expectations.” However, the statement stopped short of addressing the specific accusations leveled against Walmart.

As of now, Walmart has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered and the fate of Snoop Cereal hanging in the balance.

The Battle Continues

For Snoop Dogg and Master P, this legal battle represents more than just a fight over cereal. It’s about representation, economic empowerment, and holding corporate giants accountable for their actions. It’s a reminder that even in industries as seemingly innocuous as breakfast cereal, systemic issues of inequality and injustice persist.

As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes are on Walmart and Post Consumer Brands, awaiting their response and the outcome of this high-profile case. Will justice be served, or will Snoop Cereal become another casualty in the cutthroat world of corporate competition? Only time will tell.