Hennessy, the world’s leading cognac brand, has released the Hennessy Cypher 2025, marking a first in global music with the fusion of Hip-Hop, Amapiano, and Afrobeats into a single track.
The cypher, which brings together artists from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, and the UK, reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to championing African creativity and global sound innovation. For the first time, the project features female artists while embracing a gender-inclusive, genre-bending approach.
Among the artists featured are Kabza De Small (South Africa), Femi One (Kenya), Ms Banks (UK), Blaqbonez (Nigeria), Jaivah (Tanzania), and Joey B (Ghana)—all celebrated for their unique styles and cultural influence.
“At its core, the Hennessy Cypher is about creativity and passion for music,” said Vincent Montalescot, Hennessy’s Global Chief Marketing Officer. “It is a collective play, uniting artists who are disrupting genres and shaping culture across Africa and beyond. Hennessy continues to reaffirm its commitment to championing African creativity on a global stage.”
The music video for the 2025 Cypher, directed and produced in Cape Town, is set inside the Hennessy House—a symbolic mansion where each room represents a different genre and cultural movement. The creative concept highlights the coexistence of styles rather than competition, blending fashion, rhythm, and identity in a single narrative space.
Hennessy’s association with music spans more than five decades, particularly with hip-hop, where it has been referenced in over 4,000 songs by artists ranging from Tupac and Nas to Drake. The new cypher builds on that legacy while extending the brand’s influence into Africa’s fast-evolving soundscape.
The Hennessy Cypher 2025 is now available for streaming. Fans can watch the full performance here: https://bfan.link/hennessy-cypher
