Imagine this scenario: you head out to the grocery store to grab some drinks and snacks. As you make your way down the snacks section, the image of your favorite rapper’s face grabs your attention, except that the picture is imprinted on a bag of Rap Snacks for sale. It almost makes you chuckle, but hey, it’s Fabolous’ face, and you are a great fan of his. Are you down?
Can we base our purchase decisions on rapper endorsements? Are rap snacks as good as the musicians want us to believe, or is it just a ploy to rack up sales? What flavors are available in the market? There’s only one way to find out: stay glued to this post.
Humble Beginning
Dating back to 1994, Rap Snacks launched as a chip company offering one flavor: Master P Platinum Bar-B-Que. For years, the firm operated in a few marketplaces before an opportunity to repackage, and rebrand arose in 2016. Today, you can expect to find Rap Snacks in most convenience stores. I would wager that rap snacks have become somewhat standard fare.
Stylized photos were the main feature of early versions of rap snack packaging. Later, imprints on the bags changed, and now sports designs help spread authentic and positive messages from featured artists to consumers. Through aesthetic packaging, the company attempts to create a loyal customer base. That’s niche marketing at its core: adopting a creative approach to reaching customers. It evokes a sense of belonging and inspires fandom to near cult-like levels.
Creating a Rationale
History lesson aside, let me outline how the company determines a flavor profile that matches a specific hip-hop star. Reports indicate that the company’s CEO, James Lindsay, plays a significant role in the process. The firm first searches for a music artist making waves in the US before approaching them for a collaborative effort. Both parties discuss and finalize a mutually beneficial agreement by putting pen to paper. That’s how a new flavor ends up featuring a picture of your favorite artist.
Introducing the Munchies
A better way to understand the company would be to discuss some of the flavors it offers. However, we can’t exhaust outlining all the flavors in one sitting as the firm keeps adding new ones to the lineup.
Most importantly, an artist’s name usually precedes the flavor, and although the name may change over time, the flavor profile doesn’t change much. Let’s dive right in so we can tell if you should believe the hype.
Notorious BIG Honey Jalapeno
This flavor promises delightful crunchiness. Fried potato chips might not be your thing, but what if you threw in some paprika? The inclusion of honey gives these chips a sweet-savory taste, while jalapeno adds some heat to balance the sweetness. A sprinkling of garlic lends an earthy natural flavor, rounding off the combo of flavors.
Some people say that the heat in this flavor builds up, but it’s not overpowering. I think that’s the kind of heat most people can handle. Still, if you’re looking for a way to pay homage to an iconic rap artist, this flavor might do the trick.
Are you on the fence on this one? Have a family member or friend give the flavor a taste test to decide if they like it or not. Honey jalapeno might be the conversation starter you need.
Romeo Miller Bar-B-Quin’ With My Honey
I take that most of us enjoy a dash of honey on our barbequed ribs or steaks. Now, dial that up a notch by adding a dash of honey to your potato chips. You might need to go through a few bags of this flavor to tell how they taste.
This flavor sets a high bar by remaining consistent. No experiments. Just the addition of honey to create a sweet-tasting snack might keep you coming back for more. Are you trying to figure out the perfect way to get your party started? Fire up the barbeque, and pass these around to your friends or family to gather objective opinions of how they taste.
Lil Boosie’s Louisiana Heat
This line of Rap Snacks’ wavy chips delivers an unmissable texture. These potato chips turn the heat on, quite literally, thanks to the addition of smoked paprika into the list of ingredients. The chips will melt in your mouth, but you’ll need a cold beverage to cool down afterward.
Give this flavor a pass if you can’t stand the heat. After all, not all potato chips are created equal.
What’s the Best Flavor?
Let’s admit one thing: our taste buds vary. What might be tasty to you could be bland to me and vice versa. The best way to find a flavor that works for you is to taste a few of these rap snacks.
Otherwise, it would be imprudent to rely on my subjective opinion to make a choice. Also, given the vast array of flavors that Rap Snacks offers, you’re spoilt for choice as far as snacking options are concerned.
Price Point
As of 2022, a pack of three 2.75 oz. bags of your favorite rap snacks cost about $14 on Amazon. But, the pricing may vary depending on the size of the package and from store to store. Is that value for money? I will let you be the judge.
Rap Snacks Foundation
It’s not all about chips. There’s more to the company than meets the eye, in a good way, I might add.
The Rap Snacks Foundation works with young local folks in resource-deprived communities to help uplift their livelihoods. The foundation inspires the youth to start enterprises that can help solve their problems and offers empowerment.
So, when you stop by a store in your neighborhood for some chips, consider the impact that your purchase makes on under-resourced youths level up. To me, that’s reason enough to support such an initiative.
Ultimately, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Give these treats a try to find out if they are worth your money. Better still, if you like a specific snack, your affinity for your favorite rap artist might grow by leaps and bounds. Who knows? I hope you find at least a flavor or two you fancy.
