NBA star Ja Morant‘s recent decision to wave a gun during an Instagram Live while partying at a strip club after a game isn’t only affecting him and his team, the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s also affected rapper NLE Choppa.
Not only was Morant, 23, suspended without pay for eight games, but his Powerade ad was also pulled. Choppa’s song was part of that ad.
Powerade Pulled Ja Morant’s Ad That Included NLE Choppa’s Song
According to TMZ, Choppa’s single, “Mo Up Front” was set to play in Morant’s Powerade commercial as part of the brand’s “What 50% More Means” campaign. The commercials were reportedly set to appear during the NCAA March Madness, but because of Morant’s recent troubles, the ads were pulled, meaning not only Morant lost the ad, but also Choppa.
Despite losing the ad, Choppa is taking the high road and not holding it against the NBA star. He recently shared his thoughts in an Instagram Story. In the Story, he shared a post from Say Cheese TV’s Instagram page and added his feelings on the ordeal.
“Ja ain’t blocking a blessing what’s meant to shine will shine,” he wrote at the bottom of the Story. “The commercial was recreated and is live now. He’s all good and is still learning he’ll come back better than before.”
According to Choppa’s Story, the ad was redone and is currently live, but a quick search didn’t find a new Powerade ad featuring Choppa’s song just yet. But regardless, the rapper is not holding a grudge and spreading positivity during this tough situation.
Despite the Powerade ad being pulled, Choppa will still be supporting the Grizzlies and participating in the team’s celebrity basketball game to benefit St. Jude’s hospital on Monday.
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Fans took to the comments of the Say Cheese TV Instagram post to leave their thoughts on the unfortunate situation.
“Choppa still got paid. Just won’t get that back end and residuals for commercial running,” one person said. Another added, “Stopping another man’s bag bc of another man’s action is crazy work.”
Ja Morant’s Powerade Ad Was Pulled Just Days After It Was Announced
Just days after the partnership was officially announced, the ad featuring Morant and Choppa’s song was pulled. And this ad was a big deal for the Coca-Cola brand Powerade. Morant was the first athlete partnership for the brand in more than five years and his ad was meant to relaunch Powerade.
It’s unknown at this time if Coca-Cola is planning to completely sever ties with the star basketball player or if they are just pulling the ads for the time being while things get straightened out.
Morant is on the road to recovery after a string of incidents that had him investigated by not only the NBA but also by police after his Instagram Live showed him waving a gun in a nightclub. While the police investigation was closed due to not having enough evidence to charge anyone with a crime, the NBA suspended Morant for eight games. Morant also went to a counseling program in Florida for therapy.
The Grizzlies star is eligible to return to the court on Monday, but it’s been reported that it’s unlikely he will just yet.
