Jay-Z boycotts Cristal

The Passion of the Cristal.

It seems that the Cristal popping has stopped, for rapper Jay-Z at least. Over the past few weeks, the managing director of Cristal producer Louis Roederer, Frederic Rouzaud hinted that he didn't like the product's association with hip-hop. The extremely expensive champagne is often name checked in rap tracks. Now, Jay-Z has allegedly said that the comments were 'racist', and has taken the Cristal off the shelves of his clubs in New York and Atlantic City. "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." Jay-Z told the Economist mag. He added that he would stock his clubs with rival Krug and Dom Perignion instead. Cristal's makers said in a statement to the BBC - "Louis Roederer would not have existed since 1776 without being totally open and tolerant to all forms of culture and art, including the most recent musical and fashion styles which - like hiphop - keep us in touch with modernity."