Rappers Snoop Dogg and Master P have filed a lawsuit against Post Foods and Walmart, alleging that the companies deliberately kept their cereal off store shelves and concealed it in stockrooms to undermine their product. The legal action, filed on Tuesday in Dakota County, Minnesota, claims that Calvin Broadus, widely known as Snoop Dogg, and Percy Miller, commonly referred to as Master P, rejected a proposition from Post Foods to purchase the cereal outright.

According to the lawsuit, despite eventually reaching an agreement with Post in 2022, the company did not treat Snoop Cereal "equally as its own brand," even though the product performed well when displayed on store shelves. The lawsuit states that the rappers established Broadus Foods in 2022 with the intention of inspiring and creating opportunities for minority-owned food products, with Snoop Cereal being one of their flagship offerings. The cereal comes in various flavors, including "Fruity Hoops with Marshmallows," "Frosted Drizzlers," and "Cinnamon Toasteez."

Snoop Dogg and Master P initially approached Post Consumer Brands, described as a "breakfast juggernaut" in the lawsuit, in an attempt to form a partnership. Their goal was to have Snoop Cereal stocked in stores where Post cereals were sold. The lawsuit reveals that Post initially proposed buying Snoop Cereal outright, but this offer was rejected by the rappers as it contradicted their company's objective of promoting minority-owned businesses. Additionally, selling the brand would prevent the artists from passing down the company as a legacy business to their families.

However, on December 13, 2022, Broadus Foods did enter into a contract with Post to take over all aspects of Snoop Cereal's production, including manufacturing, packaging, retail, sales, distribution, and transportation. The lawsuit states that as part of the agreement, Broadus Foods and Post would share profits, and Post committed to treating Snoop Cereal as one of its own brands, ensuring its distribution to major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Amazon.

The lawsuit asserts that Snoop Cereal should have been prominently placed on Walmart's shelves, alongside the numerous other Post branded cereals, as Walmart is the largest seller of Post's products. However, the cereal's absence from store shelves suggests that it was intentionally sidelined, according to the complaint.

Snoop Dogg and Master P are seeking compensation for the alleged intentional sabotage of their cereal brand, as well as a court order requiring Post Foods and Walmart to fulfill their contractual obligations and properly distribute Snoop Cereal. The rappers' lawsuit highlights the importance of fair treatment and equal opportunities for minority-owned businesses in the food industry.