Snoop Dogg sues beer firm Pabst over sale

The rapper said he is owed money from its sale last year

US rapper Snoop Dogg talks the Marijuana campaign (Ferdy Damman/AFP/Getty)

Snoop Dogg's business sense has seen him become the voice of a satnav service, lend his name to Skullcandy headphones and partner with Neff clothing for t-shirts and hats.

Now the unlikely mogul is reported to be suing US beer company Pabst after one deal went flat.

The Gin & Juice artist, real name Calvin Broadus Jr, is said to be suing Pabst because he is owed money from its sale last year.

In 2011 the 43-year old had signed a three-year deal to be the face of Blast, a fruit-flavoured drink that was part of Pabst’s Colt 45 malt beer range.

Under the terms of the agreement he was paid around $250,000 (£163,660) and further instalments of $20,000 for every 10th mention of the brand on social media, at concerts or during TV appearances, according to the Associated Press.

But he claims his contract also entitled him to a portion of the sale price should Pabst sell the business before January 2016, as well as royalties on each case of Blast that was sold, it added.

Pabst was sold for an undisclosed price, but Snoop Dogg’s law suit puts the price at around $700 million. It is unclear what price was paid for Colt 45 specifically.

Pabst told AP: "We are investigating the matter and would be happy to talk to Snoop or his representatives to try to get to the bottom of this."