Plant-based Mickey D’s doppelganger Mr. Charlie’s Told Me So is celebrating the third anniversary of its flagship restaurant with the launch of Mr. Fluff-Head, a…
Pressed Juicery is honoring the creativity of Black culture for Black History Month. The cold-pressed juice and snacks brand commissioned three Black artists to transform its…
I’ve always given all my attention to my favorite food holiday, National Pizza Day—which, let’s be honest, is hardly an excuse since I celebrate pizza…
For the first time ever, IHOP and Applebee’s have joined forces to open the inaugural IHOP/Applebee’s combo restaurant an hour outside of San Antonio, Texas,…
Millennials and Gen Z make up a large percentage of the world’s coffee drinkers, driving the popularity of specialty, refrigerated, and ready-to-drink brews. Grabbing coffee…
Unless you’re a diehard Chalupa Supreme fan, you might not know about Taco Bell’s Flagship Cantina in Las Vegas. This isn’t your average franchise location—it’s…
The swicy train is still moving full-steam ahead. PepsiCo has linked with UK-based frozen dessert brand Doughlicious on a new sweet and spicy treat: Extra…
Two Italian icons having something new brewing. Lavazza and Lamborghini recently unveiled an exclusive coffee blend paying homage to Italian craftsmanship and heritage. The Lavazza…
Some might question whether days like National Margarita Day—coming up on Saturday, February 22—are real holidays. But Chili’s Grill & Bar is out to prove…
Caulipower is proving yet again that you don’t have to sacrifice health for deliciousness. The company has just announced what’s described as the “first and…
The Rise Of Hip Hop’s Coffee Culture: Inside The Brewing Obsession
Photo: Grindin
The entrepreneurial spirit is as Hip Hop as fat laces and Adidas shell toe sneakers. From RUN DMC’s legendary sneaker partnership to Jay Z’s Ace of Spades, rappers have proven their penchant for products countless times over the years. Fans are accustomed to rapper-owned sneakers, streetwear labels, and alcohol brands, but in recent years, several artists have stepped further into the untapped realm of food and beverage.
Coffee seems to be the latest business venture capturing the attention of rappers, with Snoop Dogg, Ghostface Killah, Pusha T, and Jadakiss all stepping into the coffee game. Unlike the typical Hip Hop-centric marketing associated with sneakers or streetwear, these brewing ventures feature elevated branding aimed at both discerning fans and the broader coffee community. Surprisingly, Jadakiss, not traditionally known for product ventures, was the first to kick off this trend.
With four rapper-owned coffee brands emerging in just a few short years, it seems this movement is only gaining steam.
Display mode
JADAKISS - KISS CAFE COFFEE
Jadakiss (Jason Phillips), member of legendary rap group The Lox, teamed with his father (Bob Phillips) and son (Jaewon Phillips) to launch Kiss Kiss Cafe. His father happens to have 20 years experience as CEO of Caturra Corps., an international import/export firm for green coffees, so it was a natural expansion for Jadakiss. The brand’s first product is “Beijo” beans, a medium-dark roast Arabica blend sourced from Central America. You can purchase it today in ground or whole bean form.
Killah Koffee is a coffee shop owned by Ghostface Killah, member of Wu Tang Clan, located on Staten Island. It initially launched online, but after a year of success, Ghostface decided to open an official brick-and-mortar. The brand specializes in brewing the finest arabica coffee beans, offering unique flavors like Shaolin Cannoli, Marble Cake, Vanilla Milkshake, and more. Located at 828 Castleton Ave Staten Island, New York, stop by for a freshly brewed cup and store-branded merchandise.
Easily the most surprising of the four rapper-owned coffee brands, Snoop Dogg teamed with an Indonesian coffee entrepreneur named Michael Riady to release INDOxyz. Dubbed a “lifestyle coffee brand,” INDOxyz uses coffee beans sourced from the Indonesian islands of Bali, Java, Sulawesi, and Sumatra. Coffee lovers will recognize these names, as they are known for producing quality beans. The company currently sells Sumatra Gayo Organic Whole Bean, which has a dark chocolate flavor, and two ready-to-drink options: Organic Cold Brew and Espresso Martini.
The culture collectively shouted, “Of course!” when Pusha T unveiled GRINDIN, his very own coffee brand. Fans of the rapper—and his group, The Clipse—immediately connected the dots to their iconic hit Grindin’, the track that catapulted their careers. To launch the brand, Pusha T teamed up with Café Tropical and hosted a pop-up event in Los Angeles.
Adding a layer of intrigue, the café’s original owners were reportedly involved in cocaine distribution—a detail that feels on-brand for Pusha T, given his music’s themes. GRINDIN coffee was exclusively available during the pop-up, but the official website hints at plans for a wider release soon.
Movie theaters are sparing no expense to attract ticket buyers. While themed popcorn buckets have undoubtedly injected a dose of fun into the movie-going experience,…