Internet Could 'Exile' Rapper Pitbull to Remote Alaskan Walmart
is associated with all things caliente, but an online campaign could soon have him chilling on Kodiak, an Alaskan island.
The chart-topping rapper, who performs in English and Spanish, will visit the Walmart store in the city of Kodiak, if that store's Facebook page has the most "likes."
The idea came about after a writer for The Boston Phoenix newspaper thought it would be funny to send Pitbull - whose real name is Armando Perez - to the most remote Walmart possible.
The Kodiak Walmart has a significant lead in the contest. As of Monday evening, the store had more than 38,000 "likes" on its Facebook page.
But it's not over yet. Walmart spokeswoman Sarah Spencer said other Walmart shoppers have until July 16 to "like" their local stores and pull ahead of Kodiak.
"I know Pitbull is hoping his Miami Walmart shoppers start 'liking' their Facebook page," she said.
That would require some heavy lifting, with one Miami location - in Miami Gardens - registering just 569 "likes" on Monday evening.
"He's definitely coming to Kodiak if Kodiak wins," she said.
Pitbull, who is touring Europe, seems to be amenable.
"Wherever the fans want to have a party, I will be there," he said in an emailed statement sent Monday from Austria.
On Twitter, fans of the rapper - and those who are tickled by the promotion - are weighing in at the hashtag # ExilePitbull . Some seem to approve of the plan to send him very far away.
"Nothing made me happier today than finding out people are trying to send Pitbull to Alaska. God that guy sucks. Count me in!" one Twitter user wrote, while another added: "Hate Pitbull? Want to exile him to Alaska? Read here to find out how!"
Others aren't as open in their dislike of the rapper, but seem to approve of the promotion.
"I don't jump on board with just any idea, but sending Pitbull to the most remote Walmart in America? Yeah, I back that," one wrote, while another tweeted: "This is too hilarious everyone like the fb page."
And one girl from Kodiak is lobbying hard for the rapper’s arrival, posting the following tweet: "Kodiak, Alaskas zipcode is 99615. please send pitbull here."
Kodiak Island is about 225 miles southwest of Anchorage. It's home to the nation's largest Coast Guard base, and the island is known for its Kodiak brown bear population.
According to the 2010 census, an estimated 6,300 people live in the city of Kodiak.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
