Jay-Z Bans Cristal From 40/40 Club

In response to recent offensive comments by the managing director of Louis Roderer Cristal, the manufacturer of the popular Cristal champagne, Jay-Z has announced that the drink will no longer be served at either of his upscale 40/40 Club sports bars. In a recent article in The Economist magazine, Cristal exec Frederic Rouzaud characterized the hip-hop community's patronage as "unwelcome attention" and stated that the company views its association with hip-hop with "curiosity and serenity." In a press release circulated yesterday (June 14), the rapper-turned-CEO commented, "It has come to my attention that the managing director of Cristal, Frederic Rouzaud, views the 'hip-hop' culture as ‘unwelcome attention.’ I view his comments as racist and will no longer support any of his products through any of my various brands, including the 40/40 Club, nor in my personal life." The 40/40 Club will henceforth only serve Dom Perignon and Krug champagne, the two brands Rouzad suggested rappers and their fans give their business to.