We’ve all heard the responsible drinking advice before: Have some water between beers. Pace yourself. Hydrate. All sensible suggestions that become considerably easier to forget…
At C.L.A.S.S. Steakhouse Soiree, a Hollywood, Florida-based fine-dining restaurant owned by Chef Maurad Ali, clothing is now optional. That’s because, Chef Ali has been offering…
There’s a banana craze right now—it’s actually bananas. Even The New York Times questioned whether banana flavors are the new pumpkin spice. That’s how you…
Beginning Aug. 17, McDonald’s and Red Bull are fueling up menus nationwide with the new Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer. The new drink combines Red Bull’s…
Sugar Hill Creamery, a burgeoning Harlem-based ice cream chain, is asking the big questions, namely: Could fried chicken and ice cream be the new chicken…
For more than 15 years, 7UP has mostly left its signature lemon-lime formula alone. Apparently, lime finally got tired of being the backup dancer. Beginning…
DoorDash is adding drone delivery as an option for customers. The company has secured Part 135 air carrier certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)…
Coffee lovers, rejoice! Dunkin’s viral 42-ounce Iced Beverage Buckets are back. The chain first tested them in February before rolling them out nationwide in May.…
Taco Bell is giving Nacho Fries another loaded makeover. The chain has launched new Pepper Jack Steak Nacho Fries, a limited-time menu item that takes…
CHIPS AHOY! is making fans work for dessert. The cookie brand has launched a new limited-edition Mystery Cookie, challenging snack lovers to figure out its…
KFC’s famous fried chicken has officially made its way into an OREO. OREO China has teamed up with KFC to release a limited-edition fried chicken-flavored…
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.
