Pabst Brewing sued by rapper Snoop Dogg

US rapper Snoop Dogg, also known as “The Doggfather”, is suing America’s Pabst Brewing claiming it owes him a share after it was sold for US$700m last year, based on his endorsement of its Blast by Colt 45 brand.

Pabst Brewing Company, North America’s largest privately held brewing company, completed its sale to the newly formed Blue Ribbon last year for a reported $700m. 

As the Pabst-owned brand that Snoop was endorsing was included in the sale, he claims that he is entitled to 10% of the net sales paid to the company for the brand, as reported by the BBC.

Snoop Dogg had signed a three-year deal to endorse Blast by Colt 45 – a line of fruit-flavored malt beer liquors – from January 2011 to January 2014.

Snoop claims his contract entitled him to a portion of the sale of the brand, if Pabst sold it before January 2016. A lawsuit was filed on Monday in a Los Angeles Superior Court under Snoop’s legal name, Calvin Broadus Jr.

In a statement published by The Hollywood Reporter, Pabst said it had not been contacted by the rapper or his representatives.

“Pabst Brewing Company has been under new ownership and new management since November 2014”, it said. “We have not been contacted by Snoop Dogg or his representatives about this issue. We are investigating the matter and would be happy to talk to Snoop or his representatives to try to get to the bottom of this.”

Snoop’s contract with Pabst was reported to be worth US$250,000, with the rapper receiving another $20,000 for every 10th mention he made of the brand on social media, TV or during a concert.

Pabst isn’t the first drinks company Snoop Dogg has done business with. Last year the rapper ventured into the world of spirits by signing up to endorse Cuca Fresca – a premium Brazilian cachaça. Joining the company as both an ambassador and shareholder, Snoop said he was “determined to instil his keen sense for business and a knack for identifying consumer trends” to make Cuca Fresca and cachaça a “household name”.

Snoop’s venture follows in the footsteps of fellow rappers P. Diddy and Ludacris who have both had success with their own spirits brands; Ciroc and Conjure Cognac.

“Cuca Fresca” is a common Brazilian expression that means to “have a chill vibe”.