Rappers namedropping liquor brands is almost as old as hip hop itself.
Champagne saw some of its earliest hip-hop references in 1985. That year Grandmaster Melle Mel rapped, "I was always famous, but never a star / A Don Juan Pérignon, bourgeois."
Meanwhile, that same year, rappers Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde released the song, "Champagne of Rap.” Luxury alcohol references have always played up the juxtaposition of hip-hop's original roots on the inner city streets of the Bronx and the decadent lifestyle it was pursuing through mainstream success.
Tahir Hemphill counted the champagne references (not including liquor) in rap music from 1980–2000 and found a grand total of 775.
Today, as record sales decrease, hip-hop stars have sought other moneymaking ventures to produce a steady influx of cash.
Most often these come in hefty endorsement deals with liquor brands or even co-ownerships.
P. Diddy teamed up with Ciroc vodka in 2007. The result for Diddy is annual eight-figure payouts and Ciroc's 700% increase in sales.
Alcohol and rap has always had a symbiotic relationship, so what are our favorite hip-hop artists' drinks of choice nowadays?
Check out this list and SHARE if you love good cocktails and good music.
Nicki Minaj: A Glass of Myx Moscato
Nicki Minaj is anything but shy about her co-ownership of Myx Moscato. On "Bang Bang" she spits, "It’s Myx moscato, it’s frizz in a bottle / It’s Nicki full throttle, it’s oh, oh."
2 Chainz: Pitchers of Dom Pérignon
On "Trap House Stalkin," 2 Chainz confesses his love of, "Dom Pérignon by the pitcher."
Jay-Z: A Glass of Armand de Brignac
In 2006, Jay Z dropped Cristal as his drink of choice, saying that comments made by the company's managing director, Frederic Rouzaud, were like a "slap in the face."
Rouzard commented to The Economist, when asked about rappers embracing Cristal, "What can we do? We can’t forbid people from buying it. I’m sure Dom Pérignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business.”
Soon after, in "Onto The Next One," Jay Z rapped, "I used to drink Cristal, them motherf***ers racist / So I switched gold bottles on to that Spade shit." The rapper swapped Cristal for Arman de Brignac, or "Ace of Spades."
A few years later, after its rise in popularity, he bought the brand.
Kanye West: Grey Goose And Malibu
On the hard-hitting track "Monster," Ye rapped, "Mix that Goose and Malibu I call it Mali-booya / Goddamn Yeezy how we hit ‘em with a new style…"
Ludacris: Conjure Cognac With or Without Apple Juice
On "Wasted," the co-owner of Conjure Cognac rapped, “Apple juice and conjure make 'em get naked / Me I just drank mines straight with no chaser.”
Keri Hilson: Hennessy and Apple Juice
Keri Hilson slings her recipe for "Happy Juice," singing, “Everybody looks better when you’re on that juice / If you get me in the zone I’ll dance with you / If you look like this them boys they wanna cut / You ain’t even gotta ask what’s in my cup / ‘Cause I’m on that Henny and apple juice.”
50 Cent: Bacardi On The Rocks
In 50 Cent's hit "In Da Club," the rapper boasted sipping Bacardi like it's his birthday.
Snoop Dogg: Tanqueray Gin And Tropicana Orange Juice
“Later on that day / My homie Dr. Dre came through with a gang of Tanqueray," Snoop rapped on "Gin and Juice."
T.I.: Patron On Ice
T.I. promises his homegirl, the elusive "Jill," anything her heart desires, including "Patron on ice" in his hit single "Whatever You Like." It's really the simple things…
Gucci Mane: Grey Goose, Gran Marnier, Absolut, Paul Masson, E&J, and Hennessy
Gucci Mane drinks it all straight. In "Drink It Straight," Gucci lists Grey Goose, Gran Marnier, Absolut, Paul Masson, and E&J as liquors he prefers straight — however, in the case of Hennessy, he raps, "Go mix that up."
