(AllHipHop News) The fall out over 50 Cent’s social media post accidently making fun of a disabled airport worker in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is impacting the rapper’s corporate relationship with EFFEN Vodka.
On Sunday (May 1) 50 posted an Instagram video of himself making fun of a janitor named Andrew Farrell, who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, social anxiety, and hearing loss.
A rep for Beam-Suntory issued a statement to AllHipHop.com distancing themselves from the rap star’s offensive post.
“EFFEN is a brand that considers social responsibility the highest of priorities, and 50 Cent’s recent actions are in no way representative of EFFEN® Vodka or our brand values,” a rep for EFFEN told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “We are taking this situation extremely seriously and have communicated our profound disappointment to 50 Cent directly.”
Beam-Suntory is one of the largest liquor in the world. In addition to EFFEN, the company owns major brands like Jim Beam, Courvoisier, Makers Mark.
The company had no problems with 50 Cent’s feeds up to this point, which promotes EFFEN quite regularly.
But 50’s social media is also used to take on his competitors, which have included Rick Ross, Meek Mill and most notably, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Ciroc brand, which is co-owned by Beam-Suntory rival, Diageo.
In fact, 50 has helped powered EFFEN to triple digit growth over the past year according to Beam-Suntory reps.
But the parent company of EFFEN Vodka is less than thrilled with 50 thanks the negative press.
50 Cent issued an apology for the mistake saying:
“It was certainly not my intent to insult him or the disability community, which is a source of great strength in America. I have apologized personally to him and his family.”
Even though 50 apologized and Andrew Farrell’s family has accepted, they are still threatening the rapper with a $1 million lawsuit, unless he donates to a charity dedicated to those with autism.
An event slated for today (May 5) at Randall’s Liquor and Spirits in South City has been canceled and several local stores and popular bars have started boycotting EFFEN Vodka.
UPDATE: According to NewJersey News12 second store has also cancelled 50’s appearance for an in-store signing of EFFEN Vodka bottles.
“First of all, to make fun of autistic kids is completely wrong, and we happen to have a lot of friends that have autistic kids,” said owner Joseph Stevens. “I just said ‘I’m not doing that. I don’t want to be represented by someone like that. The decision was easy.’”
