Hip-Hop has long set the trends in popular culture and beyond, but sometimes that comes with some uncomfortable conversations. Cookie Plug, a Hip-Hop-themed cookie brand, is currently facing accusations of cultural appropriation for the names and descriptions of its products.
The franchise recently opened a store in Indianapolis, and the local residents expressed disdain for the company’s marketing. Cookie Plug offers flavors such as “Purple Haze,” “Good Luv,” and “O.G.” They also sell a “Purple Drank” lemonade, which is described as “a smooth blend of zesty lemons, with a hit of that royal purple vibe, giving you a taste that’s straight outta the hood.”
“When the franchise is not aware of what the terminology they’re dealing with and, to be honest, tropes as gimmicks to sell people lemonade and children lemonade, that’s a problem,” Indianapolis resident Feeray Phillips told WISHTV. “Why is the entire theme of the organization (franchise) based on drug references terminology? You are painting the picture that drugs and Hip-Hop are synonymous, which is not the truth.”
People have also directly critiqued Cookie Plug’s operations on their social media accounts. The franchise advertised a “buy four, get eight free” deal in honor of their Indianapolis opening via an Instagram reel. “CULTURE VULTURE,” one user wrote in the comments. Another user wrote “Yall are so wack EXTREMELY!” but the Cookie Plug Instagram page hid the comments.
Indiana shop co-owner Doreen Walters called the comments toward her products “hurtful.” It wasn’t all negativity directed at the brand. One user commented on another promotional reel, writing, “I saw someone complaining about this shop is appropriation??? People are bored and need to find something to do besides complain about delicious cookies.”
Appropriation comes in many forms. Last year, Lizzo spoke out against “cancel culture” and called its growing presence in the entertainment space a form of appropriation. “This may be a random time to say this but it’s on my heart…,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “There was real outrage from truly marginalized people and now it’s become trendy, misused and misdirected […] I hope we can phase out of this & focus our outrage on the real problems.”
Travis Barker’s daughter Alabama Barker was accused of cultural appropriation last year after posting videos of herself rapping on TikTok. “When we ain’t together when I’m with him, he know that I’m the realest/ Ain’t got no opposition all these bi**hes in they feelings/ But listen who the f**k y’all talkin’ to/ I’m Alabama get to know me I might spazz on you,” she spat.
She also sang a bit in the video, with the lyrics being, “Just pick up when I’m calling/ You know my body/ Don’t switch up when you got it/ You know you got me/ I’m out here riding shotty you right beside me/ you feeling all up on me/ He blow exotic.”
The Game stepped up on her behalf to applaud her lyricism and encourage her musical journey. “NGL … she in pocket!” he wrote in the comments.
