Lil Wayne Dropped By Mountain Dew, Till Family Responds

Lil Wayne was dropped by Mountain Dew over controversial lyrics about murdered Mississippi teenager Emmett Till.

The rapper recently helped out with a remix of Future’s “Karate Chop,” a tune which was leaked online a few months ago. Lil Wayne’s insensitive remarks involve the victim of a beating which took place in 1955 after a young black man alleged flirted with a white woman.

The rapper said in the song that he would “beat the p**** up like Emmett Till.” Months after the song was leaked, Lil Wayne has been dropped from his Mountain Dew endorsement campaign. The Till family later praised the company for distancing itself from the controversial musician.

Mamie Till Mobley Foundation executive director Airickca Gordon-Taylor said in a statement:

“Just as Mamie Till Mobley didn’t endure the pain of losing Emmett Till alone, many people have stood in solidarity with our family, even if it wasn’t the most popular stand to take. This decision was monumental, we commend Mountain Dew for taking action towards better social responsibility, and now I finally feel that we can exhale and focus on our beloved Mamie Till Mobley’s charge. Let’s get on with the business of positive thinking and living.”

Simeon Wright, who was a witness to the kidnapping of Emmett Till, said he was surprised that Mountain Dew dropped the rapper from his endorsement deal. He said the decision was “beyond his expectations.”

Wright continued, “I’m pleased that it happened and it shouldn’t waited for public outcry. Anything that belittles or degrades the memory of Emmett Till shouldn’t be in the public square.”

PepsiCo. issued its own official statement on May 3. Although Lil Wayne attempted to fix the situation by writing a letter of apology to the famly after the song was leaked, the damage was already done.

“We do not plan any additional work with Lil Wayne moving forward. His offensive reference to a revered civil rights icon does not reflect the values of our brand,” Pepsi explained.

The rapper explained that he will refrain from using any lyrics that make reference to Emmett Till going forward. He told the man’s relatives that he “cannot imagine the pain that your family has had to endure.”

What do you think about Lil Wayne getting dropped by Mountain Dew?

[Image via Featureflash / Shutterstock.com]