Hip-Hop's Favorite Brews: Exploring Rappers' Beer Choices

Drinking alcohol is a common theme in rap music, with liquor companies even paying rappers to mention their brands. Hennessy is one of the most popular liquors in the hip-hop community, with fans including Tupac, Ja Rule, Diddy, Lil' Jon and Master P. However, the relationship between rappers and the beers they rap about is a more recent phenomenon. Rappers are increasingly partnering directly with brewers to create beers, with Jay-Z's Budweiser deal being an early example. Brooklyn-based brewer Brian Strumke has brewed beers inspired by some of hip-hop's biggest names, including Moneytree$ (Kendrick Lamar) and I Miss the Old Kanye (Kanye West). Other hip-hop-inspired beers include No Collar (Chance the Rapper), So Fresh & So Green, Green (Outkast) and Bees in the Trappe (Nicki Minaj). Rappers are also launching their own alcohol lines, including Jay-Z's Ace of Spades Champagne, Drake's Virginia Black Whiskey, and Snoop Dogg's Cali Red wine.

Rappers with their own beer

Rappers have been known to love their drinks and talk about them in their songs. While some rappers have mentioned drinks in their songs, others have gone a step further and created their own alcoholic beverages.

One of the earliest rappers to venture into the alcohol business was Jay-Z, who invested in Armand de Brignac Champagne in 2006 and later developed the D'Ussé Cognac brand in partnership with Sovereign Brands. Jay-Z still holds a significant stake in the company, showcasing his business acumen.

Another rapper with a successful alcohol brand is 50 Cent, who partnered with Effen Vodka from Holland. He integrated the brand into his music videos and hosted Effen parties to promote the brand effectively.

Travis Scott also ventured into the alcoholic beverage industry with Cacti, a hard seltzer brand under the Anheuser-Busch umbrella. However, production and brand development were discontinued after the tragic events at Scott's Astroworld music festival.

Cardi B created Whip Shots, an alcohol-infused, non-dairy whipped cream available in various flavours. This unique product has gained popularity among fans and can be used as a drink enhancer.

In addition to these entrepreneurs, several other rappers have made their mark in the alcohol industry. Drake partnered with liquor entrepreneur Brent Hocking to launch Virginia Black American Whiskey. A$AP Rocky launched the Mercer + Prince whiskey brand, named after the cross streets in the SoHo neighbourhood of Downtown Manhattan. Diddy was a brand ambassador for Ciroc Vodka for a significant period before ending his partnership with the company. Lastly, Rick Ross became a brand ambassador for the French wine company Belaire after they released their rosé blend, which he frequently mentioned in his songs.

While these rappers have ventured into creating their own alcoholic beverages, it is interesting to note that many other rappers have also been brand ambassadors or mentioned specific drinks in their songs, further showcasing the deep connection between hip-hop culture and the world of beverages.

Rappers with their own alcohol lines

Rappers have been known to enjoy their drinks and talk about them in their music. Some have even branched out from music to create their own alcohol brands. Here are some of the most notable rappers with their own alcohol lines:

Jay-Z

Jay-Z is a well-known entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio of investments, but his most notable alcohol venture is D'Ussé Cognac. While he sold a large portion of the brand back to its parent company, he still holds a significant stake. Jay-Z was also an early investor in Armand de Brignac Champagne (also known as Ace of Spades) and sold his stake in the brand for a reported $300 million in 2021.

Travis Scott

The rapper and multi-talented artist Travis Scott created Cacti, a hard seltzer brand under the Anheuser-Busch umbrella. Cacti was offered in three flavours: pineapple, lime, and strawberry. However, production and brand development were halted after the tragic deaths at Scott's Astroworld music festival in 2021.

Cardi B

Cardi B entered the alcohol market with Whip Shots, an alcohol-infused, non-dairy whipped cream available in a range of flavours. This unique approach to alcohol has been well-received by fans, selling out in minutes during its initial release.

Diddy

While Diddy doesn't own the brand, he has been instrumental in the success of Cîroc vodka. In 2007, he inked a deal with Cîroc to manage its branding and marketing, and his influence has made it one of the most well-known alcoholic beverages on the market.

E-40

Veteran rapper E-40 has his own wine label, Earl Stevens Selections, inspired by his hometown of Vallejo, California. This top-tier wine showcases his brilliant lyricism and catchy rhymes, making him one of the most memorable names in old-school hip-hop.

50 Cent

50 Cent has ventured into the alcohol industry with his own brand, Effen Vodka. He became a minority shareholder and has heavily promoted the brand, even beefing with Diddy over their respective vodka deals.

Drake

Drake's alcohol venture is Virginia Black Whiskey, a partnership with spirits producer Brent Hocking. While it hasn't gained widespread popularity, it still has its supporters, and Drake continues to promote it.

Rick Ross

While Rick Ross doesn't officially own Luc Belaire, a French brand of sparkling rosé, he is undoubtedly its most notorious ambassador. His association with the brand has made it synonymous with his name, and he was even immortalised on special edition bottles as part of the Icon Series.

These rappers have successfully diversified their portfolios and created their own alcohol lines, showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit and creativity.

Rappers who drink Hennessy

Hennessy is a cognac, a type of grape-based brandy from the Cognac region in southwest France. It is a popular drink among rappers and hip-hop artists, with over 140 mainstream songs mentioning the drink. Hennessy is a strong, flavorful liquor that is also classy, which may appeal to rappers who want to project an image of luxury and success. The drink is also affordable and accessible, enjoyed by Black consumers on their own terms. Hennessy has a history of association with civil rights movements, which may be another reason for its popularity among rappers interested in social justice.

Several rappers have mentioned Hennessy in their songs and have been featured in Hennessy's advertising campaigns. Here are some examples:

Tupac

Tupac, also known as 2Pac, is a legendary rapper who has mentioned Hennessy in his songs, including "Hennessy" and "Swagga Like Us." He has also referenced the drink in his lyrics, such as "They wanna know who's my role model, it's in a brown bottle (You know our motherfuckin' motto) Hennessy."

Jay-Z

Jay-Z is a well-known fan of Hennessy and has mentioned the drink in songs such as "Can I Live" and "Jigga What, Jigga Who." He has also been featured in Hennessy's advertising campaigns.

Drake

Drake, a Canadian rapper, has mentioned Hennessy in several songs, including "The Motto" and "Started from the Bottom." He is also a brand ambassador for Virginia Black whiskey, which is co-owned by the creator of DeLeón Tequila, a brand under the same company that owns Hennessy.

Nas

Nas, another legendary rapper, has mentioned Hennessy in songs such as "Nasty" and "One Love." He has also been a long-time brand ambassador for Hennessy and has appeared in their "Wild Rabbit" ad campaign.

Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne has mentioned Hennessy in multiple songs, including "A Milli" and "Tha Shiznit." He has also been featured in Hennessy's "Never Stop. Never Settle" campaign.

Ludacris

Ludacris has referenced Hennessy in several songs, including "Pimpin' All Over the World" and "Southern Hospitality." He has also been a part of Hennessy's "Wild Rabbit" campaign.

Snoop Dogg

While Snoop Dogg is famously associated with gin and juice, he has also mentioned Hennessy in his songs, including "Gangsta's Paradise" and "Hennessy n Buddah."

Kanye West

Kanye West has mentioned Hennessy in his music, including in the songs "Gone" and "Touch the Sky." He has also been featured in Hennessy's advertising campaigns.

A$AP Rocky

A$AP Rocky has included Hennessy in his lyrics, with mentions in songs like "Wild for the Night" and "Goldie." He has also been a part of Hennessy's "Never Stop. Never Settle" campaign.

Rappers who drink Cristal

Rappers and hip-hop artists have long been associated with drinking Cristal, an expensive champagne that is viewed by many as the first prestige cuvée. The drink was originally created in 1876 for Alexander II, the Tsar of Russia, who ordered that the champagne bottles for a lavish dinner he was hosting be made of clear glass so that he could see the bubbles and also to prevent explosives from being hidden beneath them.

Cristal was first mentioned in hip-hop songs in the mid-1990s to early 2000s, with artists such as Raekwon, 50 Cent, The Notorious B.I.G., R. Kelly, Diddy, Big L, Jeru the Damaja, Trina, and Jay-Z referencing the drink in their lyrics and as part of their public image. Jay-Z, for example, rapped about Cristal in his songs "In My Lifetime (Remix)" and "I Just Wanna Love You (Give It to Me)", referring to it as a symbol of the plush life. In "In My Lifetime (Remix)", he raps:

> "After the show it's the after party then After the party it's the hotel lobby and After the Belvee then it's probably Cris' And after the original it's probably this (Fiesta) Yes ma, Bed-Stuy, Fiesta."

In addition to Jay-Z, other rappers who have been known to drink Cristal include Lil' Wayne, Kanye West, Tupac, and Nas. Tupac even created a cocktail called "Thug Passion", which is a blend of Alizé Gold Passion and Cristal.

However, in 2006, the managing director of Louis Roederer, the company that makes Cristal, made comments that were interpreted as disparaging the association between Cristal and the hip-hop community. This led to a backlash, with Jay-Z calling for a boycott of the drink and stating that he would never "drink Cristal or promote it in any way or serve it at any of [his] clubs". Despite this, the loss of positioning in hip-hop does not appear to have affected Cristal's sales, with output doubling from 400,000 bottles in 2004 to over 800,000 bottles in 2010.

Rappers who drink Patron

Patron tequila is a common drink in rap songs and has been for ages. It is a status symbol in nightclubs and is often poured in strip clubs. It is no surprise that Patron is mentioned in many rap songs about clubbing. Here are some rappers who mention Patron in their songs:

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is one of the rappers who mentions Patron in his songs. In his song "P&P", he raps about how "p*ssy and patron make you feel alright".

Lil' Wayne

Lil' Wayne is another rapper who is a fan of Patron. He mentions the drink in his song "Mixology", rapping about how he is "sippin' on that Patron, that's my medicine".

Kanye West

Kanye West is also a fan of Patron, mentioning it in his song "Blame Game". He raps about how he is "blame it on the Patron, got you in the zone".

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg is another rapper who mentions Patron in his songs. In the song "I Drink I Smoke" featuring Snoop Dogg, Belly raps about how he goes "harder sippin' on Patron 'til it taste like water".

Drake

Drake also mentions Patron in his song "One More Time", where he raps about bringing "another glass of Patron with one more lime".

Notorious B.I.G.

Notorious B.I.G. mentions Patron in his song "Big Poppa", where he talks about sipping on Moët in the back of the club. Although he doesn't specifically mention Patron, it is implied that he is drinking the tequila since it is a popular drink in nightclubs.

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