Sherean 
Different flavors of Rap Snacks
The iconic hip-hop snack brand Rap Snacks is going global as it expands into three international countries.
Because of its domestic success, Rap Snacks is expanding into international retailers in Canada, Spain, and the UK. James Lindsay, founder of Rap Snacks, is extending the culture to places it’s never been before. Lindsay is happy to keep the hip-hop legacy alive, telling Cuisine Noir that the expansion “is a thrilling moment for Rap Snacks as we extend our flavor and culture to the world.”
A Philadelphia native, Lindsay started in the consumer product business as a manager for the Johnson hair care company before launching Rap Snacks in 1994 alongside then mega rap star Master P. The snack food company has a co-marketing agreement with Universal Records to license hip-hop artist likenesses for his chip brand.
Rap Snack was started because of Lindsay’s vision for products for minority groups. He told WSVN that he saw a gap in the marketplace for inner-city minorities.
“A lot of these brands were popular for the regular chip. They were just boring,” he told the news outlet. “I had a love for snacking, but also love for the hip-hop music,” he added.
Lindsay’s inspiration came from noticing the lack of popular snacks marketing to black communities. After raising $40,000 dollars from family and friends and with the help of a manufacturer in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, he launched the business.
The niche chip’s popularity was made popular by the stylized packaging of notable rappers like Master P and his son Lil’ Romeo for a limited time. However, its popularity in recent years came with its second wave of packaging featuring high-profile international rappers like the Migos with The Sour Cream and Dab of Ranch Chip and Cardi B’s Cheddar Bar-B-Que.
The chip brand extended its line to drinks with partnerships with Lil Baby’s Oowee Lemonade and the Ramen Noodle line, which features the long-time partnership with Master P.
Demanyé 
Alex Tisdale 
