Q Silver

6 March 2003

Summary of an Online Article

According to Jim Fusili, Leisure & Arts columnist of the Opinion Journal: The Wall Street Journal Editorial Page, Despite rapper Ludacris' intentions for his non-profit organization geared to helping kids in need -- the Ludacris Foundation -- his work as a rapper is what people hear, an image not fit for to represent a product consumed by families with young children. Fusili states that Ludacris was dropped as a spokesperson for the Pepsi Cola Company after journalist for Fox News, Bill O'Reilly " challenged the wisdom," of the company for hiring him. According to the article, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network     HSAN) proposed a "three-point plan" to Pepsi as a condition for ending the mass boycott called for by the HSAN. The plan called for the reinstatement of Ludacris as a spokes person; the issuance of a public apology to both Ludacris and the entire Hip-Hop community for -- according to the HSAN " cultural disrespect" ; and a healthy donation of $5 million dollars to the Ludacris Foundation. Fusili speculates the conditions as practically being extortion and compares the words in his raps to the mission of his foundation; stating that "there's no mention of his work with stay-in-school and foster-care programs. His raps are pro-drugs, pro-violence, and devastating to women." Fusili gave other facts and information about the situation surrounding the foundation as well as the partnering organizations with the foundation.

Works Cited

Fusili, Jim. "Ludacris Boycott? 'Cultural Disrespect' Could Cost Pepsi."

Opinion Journal: The Wall Street Journal Editorial Page. 11 Feb 2003.

Accessed on 6 Mar 2003. www.opinionjournal.com.

For more information about Ludacris, visit:

www.ludacris.net

www.bet.com/ludacris/

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