James Lindsay has vehemently denied reports suggesting a Rap Snacks IPO, intensifying a recent confrontation with Master P following an August 13 Forbes interview and a direct threat of legal action. The situation stems from a persistent narrative that Master P is actively planning a public offering for the snack brand, a claim Lindsay has repeatedly dismissed.
In response to reports suggesting Master P’s involvement, Lindsay issued a statement, stating, “We are shutting down reports that Master P is taking Rap Snacks public as headlines turned possibility into plan.” This statement was delivered following the publication of a graphic highlighting the assertion that Master P is not taking Rap Snacks public.
Following this, Master P added that no decision had been made and described the idea as still under consideration. Subsequently, during a 2024 AllHipHop interview, Master P clarified that he was discussing public ownership during the August 13 Forbes interview, stating, “Our next goal is to go public, and how are we gonna stay on the shelves?” This explanation underscores the ongoing discussion surrounding the potential IPO.
Rap Snacks, founded in 1994 by James Lindsay, remains privately held. Lindsay is currently the chief executive of the company, while Master P became a limited partner in 2017. A 2024 AllHipHop interview revealed Lindsay’s sentiment: ‘We feel like Rap Snacks is the first brand that really truly represents the culture, first and foremost.’
The business’s scale has expanded significantly since its initial focus on corner-store chips, reaching over 40,000 retail locations nationwide through a March 2026 release. Lindsay previously recalled, “I used to go into stores and buy $.25 bags of potato chips, open them up and dream about having my own business one day.”
On August 11th, Lindsay announced a partnership with Jones Soda, stating, “Rap Snacks has always believed that culture deserves a place on retail shelves.” This collaboration, which reached Costco this year, was also reported by AfroTech and Black Enterprise, who described Master P as pursuing an IPO with Lindsay and presenting the offering as a planned expansion strategy. The ownership structure also matters, as Lindsay founded Rap Snacks in 1994 and remains the chief executive, while Master P became a limited partner in 2017.
Snoop Dogg, who collaborated with Rap Snacks on a healthier version, reached out to AllHipHop, saying, “We’re giving our communities options that still hit on taste, speak to our language, and support a healthier lifestyle.” This statement was made prior to the ongoing dispute. The Source further detailed that the Master P-led IPO discussion was observed during an August 13 Forbes interview, emphasizing that the initial narrative shifted from a potential public offering to a consideration of the possibility.
AllHipHop reported in January that Lindsay’s Do the Right Thing line was headed to Costco, with a 2026 rollout planned across 1,800 Kroger stores, highlighting the brand’s international reach. Rap Snacks entered Poland this summer after earlier launches in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Spain, broadening the brand’s reach.”
**Sources:** AllHipHop, Forbes, AfroTech, Black Enterprise, Snoop Dogg, The Source
Source: AllHipHop
