The Internet is NOT feeling Michael B. Jordan.
The actor launched a new product, and the title of it had online critics talking. Michael revealed he has a new rum brand called J’Ouvert.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CQUi3oUgDWN/?utm_medium=copy_link
West Indians objected to the name because J’Ouvert is a festival celebrating Caribbean culture. It’s held annually in Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada during Carnival and celebrated worldwide.
Michael is L.A.-born and New Jersey-raised. It’s not clear if he has Trini roots, but he didn’t speak on it throughout his career. As reported on Yahoo, his rum says it’s, “Derived from the Antellian Creole French term meaning ‘daybreak,’ J’OUVERT originated in the pre-dawn streets of Trinidad, as a celebration of emancipation combined with Carnival season to serve as the festival informal commencements. Crafted on those same islands, J’OUVERT Rum is a tribute to the party started.”
The term J’ourvet is heavily Trini rooted and plays a significant role in the culture. A change.org petition has nearly 10,000 signatures, attempting to block the trademark.
It should also be noted, the actor is seemingly trying to make a profit off a culture he has no connection with. Plus, due to the pandemic, the annual carnival had to go on pause, causing a mega revenue loss for the country. It’s understandable why some Trinis would be upset at Michael.
Nicki Minaj defended him on social media. She made a lengthy post saying he probably didn’t know, but now that he does, he needs to change the name. Take a look at what the QUEEN said + a message she reposted:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQcBfxiLWC0/?utm_medium=copy_link
This is what social media is saying:
Michael B Jordan never been to jouvert or mass. But has the nerve to want to profit off West Indian culture and call it Jouvert Rum…. pic.twitter.com/RT8O3InIwm
— 🛍️De-aesthetic | IG:_iamdda 🇻🇨✨💅🏾🐰 (@_iamdda) June 20, 2021
Michael B Jordan FAAAAS AND OUTTA PLACE… bout he trademarking "Jouvert" for rum… he ain't want to deal with Trinidad and the ancestors over this debauchery… at all! 😡 pic.twitter.com/QiD53j4qwS
— 𝕱𝖆𝖑𝖈ã𝖔 𝕽𝖔𝖇𝖊𝖗𝖙𝖘 (@nfkroberts) June 20, 2021
imagine trying to explain what jouvert is to someone and they go “oh michael b jordan rum” 😕 https://t.co/kmTtYuBRYb
— nika🦦 (@spxcyy) June 20, 2021
Michael B Jordan got to trademark “j’ouvert” and it was allowed?
When Kim K tried to trademark Kimono what happened?
Nah, sumn haffi do— 🇻🇨CoconutCrescendo🎶 (@TheMizzCandy) June 20, 2021