Frank Ocean Tells Chipotle to 'F--k Off' After Chain Sues the SingerOf all the people and companies that Frank Ocean could attack, the usually PR-friendly Chipotle would not have been our first bet.

ByKate Taylor

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Of all the people and companies that Frank Ocean could have told to "f--k off," the usually PR-friendly Chipotle would not have been our first bet. However, with thousands of dollars at stake, the singer feels justified – even if the burrito chain disagrees.

辣椒起诉弗兰克海洋的支持$425,000 deal to record a song for a short film promoting responsibly raised food. Apparently the singer wanted to appear in the anti-factory farming commercial if there was no sign that the commercial was, in fact, advertising for the burrito chain.

Last year, Chipotle tapped Ocean to record a remake of "Pure Imagination" fromWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.However, on the day he was supposed to deliver his recording, the singer backed out of the deal.

According toreports, Ocean withdrew from the project after seeing an early cut of the film that featured the Chipotle logo. "When Frank was asked to participate in this project, Chipotle's representatives told him that the thrust of the campaign was to promote responsible farming. There was no Chipotle reference or logo in the initial presentation, and Chipotle told Frank that was an intentional element of the campaign," said a letter to Chipotle from Ocean's legal team. "Frank was also promised that he'd have the right to approve the master and all advertising."

Related:Chipotle's Brilliant Branding Move

Fiona Apple went on to sing the cover of "Pure Imagination" for the short film, which has over 12 million views on YouTube and has beenpraised for its minimal branding.

Ocean has taken to his Tumblr to post his two cents on the lawsuit. The singer first cryptically posted a linked to Wikipedia's entry on "defamation," before uploading the more straightforward image of a check for $212,500 – the amount he was paid after signing onto the Chipotle campaign. The memo section of the check to a redacted company reads, simply, "F--K OFF."

Chipotle's unconventional anti-factory farming marketing campaign has helped craft the company's image as the environmentally friendly, fast-casual chain of choice. The burrito most recently promoted their brand of sustainability with the recent comedy series, 'Farmed and Dangerous.' While the series has made waves for the lack of Chipotle product placement, don't expect Frank Ocean to guest star any time soon.

Related:Chipotle's New Series Feels Like House of Cards, But Without the Good Parts

Wavy Line
Kate Taylor

Reporter

Kate Taylor is a reporter at Business Insider. She was previously a reporter at Entrepreneur. Get in touch with tips and feedback on Twitter at @Kate_H_Taylor.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

An 81-Year-Old Florida CEO Just Indicted for a $250 Million Ponzi Scheme Ran a Sprawling Senior Citizen Crime Ring

Carl Ruderman is the fifth senior citizen in the Miami-Fort-Lauderdale-Palm Beach metropolitan area to face charges in connection with the scam.

Business News

Taco Bell Slammed With Lawsuit Over 'Especially Concerning' Advertisements, Allegedly Deceiving Customers

The class action lawsuit claims the chain is advertising more than they deliver.

Business News

Steve Jobs's Son Is Diving Into Venture Capital — and His Focus Hits Close to Home

Reed Jobs, 31, launched venture capital firm Yosemite, which already boasts $200 million from investors and institutions.

Business News

Body of Missing 27-Year-Old Goldman Sachs Banker Found in Nearby Body of Water

John Castic, a 27-year-old Goldman Sachs employee, went missing around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday after attending a concert at the Brooklyn Mirage in East Williamsburg.

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

企业家是不能过度指狗万官方望太多a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.

Marketing

This Industry Is Making More Money Than Hollywood and the Music Industry Combined — Here's How Your Business Can Get Involved

With mobile gaming revolutionizing product placement and brand awareness, one surprising demographic is leading the charge.