liquor

Diddy Accused By Diageo Of Working Against Other Black-Owned Businesses

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Diddy and liquor company Diageo are locked in a nasty lawsuit right now, with both alleging mismanagement, a poor working relationship, and lack of support against each other. Moreover, Sean Combs sued the spirits conglomerate back in May of 2023, with whom he masterminded Ciroc vodka in 2007 and DeLeón tequila in 2013. While Ciroc was a resounding success for both, DeLeón was less so, and his lawsuit alleged that Diageo was racist in promoting Ciroc and DeLeón to solely urban markets, instead favoring white-backed brands like George Clooney’s Casamigos. However, now the company claims that Puff Daddy, through his Combs Wine and Spirits company (CWS) that partnered with them, engaged in some racial discrimination of his own despite his philanthropic image.

Furthermore, according to legal documents obtained by AllHipHop, Diageo stated that Diddy “discouraged Diageo from working with other Black business people and influencers. [He] demanded that Diageo redirect millions of dollars earmarked to support such causes to him personally.” Not only that, but they claim that the Bad Boy mogul went ballistic when the company donated $100 million to COVID-19 hospital workers.

Read More: Diddy Says He Was “Always Fighting For Ciroc Not To Be Pigeonholed”

Diddy At The Oscars

Diddy Diageo Lawsuit Black Businesses Hip Hop News
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs speaks onstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

“Mr. Combs demanded that Diageo pay him $100 million,” the company levied in their most recent filing. [He] threatened then to ‘reach out to every news outlet’ to ‘burn the house down’ and cause maximum damage to Diageo and the DeLeón brand by making public accusations of racism if Diageo refused to write the check.” Overall, the history between these two entities is long, contentious, and skewed in both’s eyes. Despite this pushback, Diddy’s lawyer John C. Hueston dismissed all accusations against him by the liquor company in a statement to AllHipHop on Friday (September 29).

“Diageo claims its executives were available to hear all of Mr. Combs concerns about race and diversity issues,” Hueston began. “The sad truth is that they never truly listened to what Mr. Combs was saying and brushed them off as threats and demands for money. If they had actually taken the time to comprehend his concerns, and lived up to the agreements they signed, we wouldn’t be in court today.” For more news and the latest updates on Diddy, come back to HNHH.

Read More: Diddy Gave Diageo A Warning About Racially Sensitive Vodka Flavor

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The post Diddy Accused By Diageo Of Working Against Other Black-Owned Businesses appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Wiz Khalifa Calls His New Signature Purple Gin “Smooth AF”

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He may be showing off his gains in the gym, but Wiz Khalifa still likes to unwind with a cocktail or two. Rappers have long partnered with liquor brands—many even releasing their unique signature spirits—and Wiz has emerged with his own gin. Sovereign Brands was excited to link with the “Black & Yellow” hitmaker for the first line extension for McQueen and the Violet Fog Ultraviolet Edition. When he first tried the gin, Wiz was immediately taken aback by its vibrant, purple color. “Smooth AF,” he said amid laughter.

Sovereign Brands CEO Brett Berish added, “Where we distill and what botanicals we use—it’s all in an effort to create the most balanced, smooth, and drinkable gin. McQueen and the Violet Fog Ultraviolet Edition pushes the category even further. While you may be lured in by the color, the taste, I promise, is even better. This is like no gin on Earth.” The gin comes with all the flavors of the flagship paired with red berries and hibiscus.

Wiz Khalifa Hits The Road

Wiz will surely have his signature McQueen and the Violet Fog Ultraviolet Edition gin by his side throughout the summer. The 420-friendly rapper is embarking on a months-long tour that starts immediately after the Tortuga Music Festival in April. He said he couldn’t wait to have his crew get a first look at his aptly-colored purple liquor and to further promote the gin, there are even specially crafted cocktail recipes.

“Wow… Wait ’til I bring this around the dips,” the rapper joked as he held a drink in his hand. He then noted, “You get the berries jumping off of there… It still got that good citrus ginny.” Fans jumped into Khalifa and Sovereign Brands’ social media comments sections to say they needed the product ASAP. Others teased the rapper about purple kush, considering his longstanding love for marijuana and involvement in the cannabis business. Wiz Khalifa has continued to make his mark in music as an artist who stays on the road, continuously releases new music with his peers, and invests wisely. Check out more images from Wiz Khalifa and the McQueen and the Violet Fog Ultraviolet Edition below.

McQueen and the Violet Fog Ultraviolet Edition

Sovereign Brands

Ari Lennox And Babyface’s ‘Liquor’ Is The Smoothest Serving Of R&B With An Intoxicating Video To Match

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Babyface found his perfect sensual collaborative partner in Ari Lennox. Their latest single, “Liquor,” and accompanying music video directed by Jean Esten, is a match made in R&B heaven. The track featured on the legendary producer and songwriter’s compilation album, Girls Night Out, which was released in October 2021, is the perfect bridge between Lennox’s rising star power and Babyface’s veteranism.

On the song, Lennox puts her signature vocals on full display as the pair serenade one another. However, in the official video, instead of exploring this chemistry further, Lennox, in the role of lounge singer at the one and only The Peppermint Club in West Hollywood (not to be confused with the iconic Peppermint Lounge), an entranced patron of the establishment falls deep into Lennox’s web of lust as Babyface assists in the background of the sole bartender.

When asked about Lennox’s talent by media personality Angela on her podcast Lip Service, Babyface said, “I think that Ari’s voice is a voice that she can sing about many things that matter to a lot of people. Her voice is an important voice, and I think that it’s just the beginning for her.”

“Liquor” is filled with clever adult beverage puns that effortless role of the tongue of Lennox as she sings, “Two shots of liquor, no chaser / No rocks, no blend, straight up, just you / Two shots of liquor, oh, oh / I need one hundred from my man, he can’t be eighty proof / When he ask me throw it back, I tell him absolut-ely.”

If you’re going to be drunk in love, then who better to stumble for than Ari Lennox or the King of R&B, Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds?

Watch the full video above.

Ari Lennox Looks Radiant In New “Liquor” Music Video With Babyface

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Prior to heading out on her highly anticipated age/sex/location tour, Ari Lennox gave her fans a treat in the form of her “Waste My Time” music video. The must-hear track previously made its debut on her sophomore album. We have to admit, it’s been stuck in our heads ever since. As she performs all across the country over the next few weeks, the R&B starlet’s surprises keep coming.

On Monday (February 27), yet another visual landed from Lennox. This one brings her recent collaboration with Babyface, “Liquor” to life in a big way. The producer plays the role of a bartender, and the vocalist channels a glamorous patron of his bar. The song first arrived on his Girls Night Out project last year and quickly became a favourite amongst listeners.

Ari’s Vocals Amaze Fans on Tour

Singer Ari Lennox performs onstage during her “age/sex/location” tour at Coca-Cola Roxy on February 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

“I wanna feel like I’m wasted, from the lips that I tasted / I want our love to be agin’ with time,” the Dreamville artist’s sultry lyrics set the tone of the first verse. “More vintage than wine, so smooth / I like it rough around the edges, picture perfect with no edits,” she continues to croon. On the chorus, both Lennox and Babyface’s beautiful voices come together to create a stunning soundscape. They specifically sing about taking two shots of “Liquor” with no chaser over the groovy beat.

It’s been several months since Girls Night Out first landed on DSPs, but Babyface recently kept the hype around the record going with the arrival of the extended edition. All 13 original titles remain on the tracklist, which boasts guest features from the likes of Muni Long, Doechii, and Sevyn Streeter. Additionally, he’s added two new songs – “Sometimes” with Jenevieve and “If You Knew How” with BJRNCK.

Check out Ari Lennox’s appearance in the “Liquor” music video on YouTube above. Afterward, tell us your thoughts on the sultry song and visual in the comments. If you’re in need of more release recommendations, find them on our weekly R&B Season update here.

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