Chris Brown was excluded from the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game due to alleged sponsor concerns from Ruffles. The singer shared his frustration on Instagram, posting screenshots of his invitation and uniform mock-up.
Meek Mill urged fans to buy Rap Snacks and defended Brown on X on Feb. 18.
“That’s why it’s important we support Rap Snacks,” Meek Mill tweeted. “I [love Rap Snacks] over Ruffles. [They’re] Black-owned and taste better!” The food company previously partnered with the Philadelphia rapper on hot honey-flavored potato chips.
New chips featuring rap stars like Lil Baby, Migos, and Nicki Minaj are now available overseas. Rap Snacks was founded in 1994 by James Lindsay.
In 2017, Meek Mill rapped about the brand on “1942 Flow.” On the track he raps, “I’m gettin’ chips off music like Rap Snacks/ Yeah, 10 mill’ in cash of Ethika, that’s a fact/ Money, power, respect, eatin’ breakfast on a jet.”
The NBA and Ruffles addressed Chris Brown’s exclusion claims with official statements.
“Ruffles had no input on the Celebrity Game rosters,” said NBA Spokesperson.
Ruffles clarified involvement with the following statement: “Ruffles sponsored the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, however, Ruffles did not have any involvement in, nor visibility to, any player decisions or celebrity invite discussions.”