Rap Snacks: Tasty Hiphop Bites

snack review by: “Ms. G (Thang)” Vazquez

Apparently, Rap Snacks have been around since 1994, but seem to be not that visible in the local market. Easy to understand, since the local potato chip market is often dominated by more popular local & staple international brands that are also much cheaper.

It’s CEO, owner, and founder James Lindsay began producing these snacks in ’94, after striking a deal with Universal Music Group. It featured Old Dirty Bastard, Warren G, Bell Biv Devoe, Master P, and Lil Romeo (Master P’s son, who bought it from Lindsay later, and kept him as head of operations). Sporting inspirational quotes up front, with tasty junkfood, and weird packaging, it arrived with major attitude in many USA regions, featuring three of these features. The rest was history.

Even if you’re dealing with streetwise local gangstas and rich kid hiphop kids, most of them would have Lays and or Jack n’ Jill potato chips, along with a few imports from exclusive chains and other sources. It just boggles the mind why Rap Snacks aren’t that visible in the local scene, despite their established nature, and packaging that features some of the most recognizable names in the industry.

That said, they are available in very select markets that cater to A & B crowds. And at 101 pesos per bag, most people will def go for something almost similarly priced with bigger servings, or same-sized and cheaper, such as the aforementioned other brands. However, they don’t have Rap Snacks’ flavors and packaging.

However, The Snoop Dogg “cheddar and barbecue” flavor ain’t bad at all. Very tasty, with smoky crispness, and those heavy flavors (not salty but full) that Filipinos love are what you can expect in this bag. At the price and gram ratio, 71 grams is too light, though. You can buy a cheaper bag elsewhere that’s not gonna cost you hundred pesos plus. It’s quality is definitely the same, and the chip quality and flavor is decent enough to carve a niche, but it remains an obscure pack.

You can’t expect Rap Snacks Inc. to heavily invest in the Asian, and specifically Filipino market. Even if Pres. Marcos Jr. agreed to Trump’s no US tariff versus that 19% lowball agreement, it will be a difficult market to conquer. But it can definitely thrive if given a chance, though its pricing will become a major challenging point.

Extra Features

Each packaging features inspirational quotes written across its top opening. Rick Ross’s Sweet Chili Lemon Pepper flavor has “The Goal is to be Rich Forever” emblazoned across the top. Migos has “Dabbing is a Lifestyle” (we’re not exactly sure which type of dabbing it refers to, although it says “sour cream with a dab of ranch”). Nicki Minaj says “Take Advantage of Every Moment in Life”. And so on.

At the back, it features a QR code that you can scan that leads to exclusive web content, chances to win prizes, and downloadable content from their official website. However, this particular stock is well, old, which means the link only works to show the website, and the exclusive content links are no longer active. Blame that on the local suppliers who may have bought this in bulk since the stock is a lil’ old and near the expiry date of December 2025 (manufacturing date, Dec. 2024). Well that explains it. You would need a new stock to get these fresh new QR codes, then.