Hennessy and Hip-Hop: Celebrating 50 Years of "Poetry On Beats" With Nas

On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc laid down the foundations for hip-hop in an apartment building in The Bronx, New York City – using two turntables to create the break-beat, and changing the face of music forever. Over the past 50 years, the culture has gone through countless revolutions and transformations, finding its way from the streets to the top of the charts, and ultimately becoming one of the most genuinely groundbreaking and innovative genres in music today. To celebrate that journey, Hennessy has teamed up with none other than Nas – to salute half-a-century of hip-hop, by collaborating on a limited edition bottle of Hennessy V.S.

Given the significance of this major cultural milestone – which is being celebrated right across the globe – it makes sense that Hennessy would join forces with one of hip-hop's most consistently dominant and influential forces. A long-time friend of the world-renowned cognac, Nas has been at the forefront of the scene's most crucial shifts and evolutions for nearly three decades – from Illmatic in 1994, through to Magic 2, released just a few weeks ago.

Throughout the decades, Hennessy has become deeply intertwined into the very fabric of hip-hop. Icons from every corner of rap's history have name-checked the iconic cognac on their tracks, including the likes of 2Pac, Mobb Deep, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Young M.A, Jean Grae – and, of course, Nas.

Just like Hennessy, both legacy and innovation remain at the heart of hip-hop in 2023. In Ireland, a new wave of young artists are fearlessly flying the flag for their country on the world stage – with the movement expanding and developing dramatically on these shores in recent years. From the trailblazers who first put their Irish identities at the heart of their rhymes, to today's most vibrant new stars who draw from an incredibly diverse range of influences and ideas, homegrown hip-hop is tapping into the spirit of the Irish people like few other genres right now.

And Hennessy has been there every step of the way – which is fitting, given that the company was originally founded by an Irishman, Richard Hennessy.

The Irish hip-hop community has been offered a vital platform over the years through The Hennessy Hip Hop House at Body & Soul. The renowned space has built up a serious reputation among Irish hip-hop heads, by championing established icons and emerging voices alike. Over the years, The Hennessy Hip Hop House has featured music, conversation and more from the legendary likes of Mango X Mathman, JyellowL, Aby Coulibaly, Gemma Dunleavy, Monjola, Nealo, Jafaris, KhakiKid, Celaviedmai, Negro Impacto, Sweetlemondae, Strange Boy and God Knows – to name just a few...

Mango x Mathman at The Hennessy Hip Hop House at Body & Soul 2022. Copyright Ruth Medjber.

This year's programme was an action-packed celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop – delving into all aspects of the culture, both internationally and closer to home. In addition to live performances and DJ sets, the area also played host to graffiti, breakdance, panel discussions and more – while headliners Kojaque, Denise Chaila, and Fabio & Grooverider and The Outlook Orchestra took to the Body & Soul Stage as part of the Hennessy Music Trail.

And Hennessy's immersion in the culture doesn't stop there. Previous cultural collaborations include the acclaimed Hennessy Sound Lounge and Other Voices' Hennessy Music Trail.

Hennessy V.S x Nas is a bold take on the Hennessy Very Special cognac – inspired by a handwritten homage to the culture, penned by the lauded rapper. Those words form a crucial part of the collage that features on the new limited edition bottle, alongside a vibrant reference to one of the vital Five Elements Of Hip-Hop: graffiti.

"Hip hop, you are the vibration of the people," Nas' message reads. "You never stop, never settle. You are poetry on beats, people talking to the streets..."

Nas also previously joined in on Mass Appeal Record's celebration of the landmark anniversary, with an appearance on DJ Premier's Hip Hop 50: Vol. 1 and Swizz Beatz's Hip Hop 50: Vol 2.

His classic track 'N.Y. State of Mind' also featured on the recent compilation album Raised By Rap: 50 Years of Hip Hop – alongside Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, Run-D.M.C., Mobb Deep, OutKast, Too $hort, Travis Scott, Doja Cat and more.

In a powerful nod to both his own roots and the origins of hip-hop, Nas joined Hennessy in New York City last month to both launch the collaboration, and celebrate 50 years of the genre.

The limited edition Hennessy V.S x Nas bottle is available exclusively from 80 SuperValu stores across Ireland, and is priced at €41.

Pay tribute to 50 years of hip-hop with your own Hennessy cocktail

To coincide with the anniversary of hip-hop, Hennessy has also shared a special cocktail recipe – allowing you to pay homage to the culture in style...

BITTER BEATS

A variation on an old-fashioned, status cocktail. The pipette with the coloured sweetening agent recalls the spray-paint bombs in street art, a reminder of hip-hop and New York.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Hennessy Very Special
• 10ml Monin Mandarin Syrup
• 3 dashes Chocolate Bitters
• For syrup: 50ml Simple Syrup 1:1 + 4 drops Orange Food Colouring

Method:

• Add the Hennessy cognac and the bitters into a mixing glass filled with ice, then stir until well-chilled.
• Strain into a rocks glass over one large clear ice cube.
• Garnish with clear ice cube (5x5cm) and pipette containing orange coloured simple syrup.

Bitter Beats

Please Enjoy Hennessy Responsibly