The apology came on letterhead belonging to G Unit Records, a label the rapper founded.
It stated: “While the incident at the airport resulted from an unfortunate misunderstanding, please accept my sincere apologies for offending you. It was certainly not my intent to insult you and I wish you and your family well.”
The letter is signed Curtis Jackson, the rapper’s name.
Jimmy Bonaminio, Jungle Jim’s director of creative services, said today that Jungle Jim’s is still planning to maintain its ban of the booze.
“This is all so fresh, we’re sticking to our statement from yesterday (Tuesday),” he said. “I mean, this just happened, so we still feel that reflects our feelings about this.”
ORIGIANL REPORT, May 3:
A local grocer has pulled the vodka endorsed by a rapper from its shelves, following a video he posted online accusing an airport employee of being high on drugs.
Turns out, the teenage employee at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has social anxiety and mild autism, according to his family.
Rapper 50 Cent was in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas this past weekend promoting his Effen brand of vodka. Among his stops were Jungle Jim's International Market in Eastgate.
As of Tuesday morning, Jungle Jim’s had pulled all Effen Vodka products from the shelves of its Fairfield and Eastgate locations, according to a statement from the business.
“As an international market, Jungle Jim’s is a place of inclusion, and one that respects and appreciates all cultures, abilities and needs. Jungle Jim’s does not condone such derogatory, negative, and hurtful behavior, and we’re disappointed and upset by the incident that took place,” according to a press release.
All Effen Vodka products have also been removed from the bars of the Oscar Event Center in Fairfield and Paradise Pavilion in Eastgate.
The vodka brand will not be served at the grocer’s upcoming Cocktails & Comedy Festival either.
The Ruderman Family Foundation, a national leader in disability inclusion, has denounced the rapper.
“50 Cent’s recent taunting of Andrew Farrell, a young man with disabilities, at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is reprehensible and has no place in our society,” said Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “I’m sure 50 Cent would not want anyone to publicly humiliate his friends and family in the manner he humiliated this young man with disabilities who was just minding his business while doing his job.”
Several Cincinnati area bars have also said they will boycott the rapper’s vodka as well.