Russell Simmons Urging Pepsi Boycott Over Ads

Reuters reports Russell Simmons on Wednesday called on the hip-hop community to start a boycott next week against PepsiCo Inc., citing that the company applies a double standard by placing foul-mouthed rocker Ozzy Osbourne in a Super Bowl commercial only months after yanking rapper Ludacris for his vulgar language. “The ‘Campaign for Respect’ will be officially launched a week from today,” Simmons said in statement following a press conference in New York on Wednesday. “We’re asking all artists and supporters of hip-hop culture to refrain from supporting Pepsi and PepsiCo products,” he said. Simmons said the action follows six months of unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a settlement of the dispute.