This article first appeared in Capital, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 24, 2022 - October 30, 2022

The other day, while checking emails and sifting through the latest press releases with a few cold ones, an investment opportunity in wine popped up. Just a few hours before that, another email caught my attention — a big-name rapper was collaborating with an Aussie vineyard to produce wine.

Interesting. So, is it too late to change careers at 51? To venture into something more interesting, such as being a rapper?

Enough of bottom lines, margins and CAGR, and how much money some company is making, or if its shares are undervalued, etc, etc. Not to mention the tight deadlines, covering boardroom tussles where everyone plays the victim, listening to politicians and their constant bickering and never-ending backbiting, and combing through thousands of emails daily.

The source of inspiration behind these musings about a possible career change is 51-year-old Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, who is four months younger than this writer and about as big as a rapper can be. Think huge — among the biggest names in music.

What? You don’t know Calvin? Oh, pardon me. He goes by the name Snoop Dogg, and was known as Snoop Doggy Dogg and briefly Snoop Lion (after a trip to Jamaica).

According to online sources, Snoop first hit it big when he was featured on Dr Dre’s album sometime in 1992. (Question to self: Did Dr Dre give up practising medicine to go into rapping? If that is the case, then there is hope. Because the only chaps who are less cool than journalists are perhaps doctors in their pristine white coats. And maybe male nurses.)

Back to Snoop and wine. It came as quite a shock that Snoop — with all his bravado, dreadlocks, perpetually high persona, and gangsta vibe — had shifted to producing wine.

You would expect wine producers to have a stiff upper lip or be from some valley in scenic Europe, living in style in some castle.

At least the name of the wine — 19 Crimes Cali Red Wine — sounds cool. It was developed in collaboration with Aussie label 19 Crimes.

You would expect Snoop to be in maybe something less refined, say arrack, or tequila, or some form of extra-strong beer. But wine? No, I didn’t see that coming.

In describing the wine — Snoop’s wine — the press release reads: “19 Crimes, like Snoop Dogg, is defiant by nature, bold in character and always uncompromising”. It went on to state: “Snoop Dogg is a culture creator, innovator and a leader in pop culture.”

Now, I remember reading about some Malaysians who have vineyards … let’s try to find out who they are.

But first, to become a famous rap star. Maybe it will be wiser to bring in one of the younger chaps, maybe a deputy editor, on this venture. Maybe Jia Teng? I heard he used to have a band. Maybe we can have a duo or rope others in too. Maybe with Jia Teng’s musical talent, the rapper and wine idea might take off. Maybe it’ll be our big break.

We could call the wine Jia Teng’s Rock — with Rock coming from Barrock.

Was it Carlsberg Brewery (M) Bhd that partnered with Luen Heng F&B Sdn Bhd? This was some 15 years ago, and it was a 70:30 joint venture in the distribution of imported beers, wines and spirits. I think Carlsberg sold out after a few years, but the plan is doable.

Maybe we could IPO the JV outfit and talk about our bottom lines and CAGR to other reporters — complete with stiff upper lips, top hats, gloves and all. I must talk to Jia Teng and see if he is keen.

Must also brush up on human beatboxing techniques over the weekend, so that I can bring something other than great ideas (like a JV with Carlsberg) to the table.

Wait ... maybe there needs to be a whole revamp of the person who will be behind this venture — this writer — or else the wine, if likened to the personality behind it, will have to be described as bad-tempered, slightly plump, loves a good curry and has a brown puppy. Nothing like Snoop’s “defiant”, or “bold” and “always uncompromising”.

On that note, maybe it’s best to get into shape too? And it’s probably better to make it a three-year plan to start Jia Teng’s Rock. 

Oh heck, it’s 5pm. Sigh. Let me first get through the latest Bursa Malaysia announcements and the thousands of emails still clogging up my inbox.

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