Jason McBride CEO/Founder of Ghetto Nut® photograph by Eddie Guy

By Toshitaka Kondo

It ain't nuttin' but a gangsta party going on in Brooklyn's notorious Northside. Bumpy Johnson is relaxing at a late afternoon barbeque with Gangster Disciples, Black Disciples, and Vice Lords, who peacefully play spades, sip gin and juice, and show love to the 53-year-old creator Jason McBride. "In Brooklyn, you gotta have the streets," says Johnson. "And in the streets, there's gotta be some Ghetto Nut®!" Johnson concludes.

We first met up with Jason 4 years ago when his peanut butter hit the streets. 4 years later, the nut's blown up past the 5 boroughs and is gone nationwide.

Here's a quick follow-up, check it:


Can you tell us how it all got started?

It was around 5 years ago. And I was sitting around my kitchen table with my 2 sons David and John. Someone rang our door bell and it was our closest friend Chuck. Chuck is one of those guys you have to let in the door and just enjoy his company. Well we had a blast that night. Laughing and chatting away. Of course, we got a little famished. Well, we had some bread in the house. And some dry-roasted peanuts, peanut oil and salt. And BAM! Ghetto Nut® was born!

Didn't you tell me there was a new and improved jingle?

Yes we just finished a rough mix with the help of Kanye West and Ashanti and the songwriting talents of Alan Thicke. And of course, samples of our original jingle.

Is there still a lawsuit against you from the James Brown people over your original Ghetto Nut® jingle?

I've said it a billion times the James Brown song, Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine and our jingle sound nothing alike. Any musician can tell you that. A courtroom might disagree with you, but the music doesn't lie.

Where can you find Chuck these day?

He's here [pointing at chest]... and in every jar of Ghetto Nut®!*

What's next for Ghetto Nut®?

Well, can't tell you exactly. But I can give you a hint, it'll be the "Jam of the Year™".


* "Chuck" is NOT an ingredient in any Ghetto Nut® product.