Bruce Banner beat me to the punch at Playahata, but I too find AllHipHop’s claim that 50 Cent held 10% of Glaceau, which is being acquired by Coke, rather questionable. I’m not saying it’s impossible just highly unlikely given that 50′s ownership stake has not been previously revealed and no legitimate news outlets have run this information that I can find.
My best guess has been that this is planted news from 50 Cent’s camp which worked perfectly. AllHipHop runs the claim in a hip hop news item, it’s immediately reprinted on all sorts of discussion boards and the like, gradually becoming disconnected from its origin and taking on a life of its own. As happened this weekend.
According to Bruce, the folks at Glaceau would not confirm the details in response to phone calls and it’s highly unlikely that such information would ever be officially released.
However, as Bruce points out at Playahata, lying to build your brand is a well-honed hip hop business technique.
If anybody has anything substantial on 50′s ownership stake, please do let me know. I should clarify that I’m not saying that Nolan Strong or anyone at AllHipHop made anything up. It’s just that they’re a go to spot if you’re an insider who wants to spread rumors making them vulnerable to getting gamed.
For a bit of background on 50 Cent and Coke’s acquisition of Glaceau:
50 Cent Album Delayed, Vitaminwater Commercial & News, Marketing w/50′s House
Thanks a lot, C. Now I look like a flippin’ moron for linking to the Panache Report.
I knew this was a lie when I heard it ,Media Takeout also has some info saying that it is a lie.
Don’t hate yourself, Jarrett. There will always be others to take care of that!
Kofi, I’m not up on Media Takeout but the info they claim from an investment banker certainly fits what’s previously been made public.
http://www.mediatakeout.com/6420/report_50_cent_did_not_make_400m_from_vitamin_water_sale.html
My take is that the 10% is a pr stunt but that it was definitely a good deal for 50. I’m more curious now about how Coke is going to handle having 50 Cent as part of the deal. I don’t think any initial comments from Coke or Glaceau addressed that and folks don’t seem to be asking but that could start at any point.
$400 million is a lot of money…If this is even remotely true then 50 should give out free copies of ‘Curtis’ instead of selling them and write of the expense.
I don’t think its true however. You can tell because whenever Black people get money they flaunt it and let the whole World know what they got. White people just deposit the check and resign. 50 moves like a white boy business-wise.
^^^^
the latter part of your argument contradicts the former…that is erronoeus and not cool. Im blakc and I dont flaunt what I have…and their are many of us in the world who as I. Check mate!
as Bruce points out at Playahata, lying to build your brand is a well-honed hip hop business technique.
Oh really. Since when did lying to build brands become particularly connected to hiphop?
I think you’d have a hard time defending that statement.
It’s a somewhat sarcastic statement on both our parts, as I understand it, and we both refer to the example of Russell Simmons:
http://www.prohiphop.com/2005/05/russell_simmons.html
However, neither of us suggests that it’s uniquely linked to hip hop. In any case, I don’t feel that lying is a particularly hip hop sort of thing and feel absolutely no need for defending any use of sarcasm or cynicism when discussing Russell Simmons or 50 Cent.
Hard to say. I interviewed 50 for an article and he actually said he owns 30% of the company. I have it on tape, so that’s the quote I’m running. But who knows?