State Champ Radio Food & Drink
Source: Lalique / Lalique
50 Cent continues to stack up wins with the latest one being in the spirits business. He has teamed up with Lalique for a limited edition Branson Cognac priced at $25,000.00.
As spotted on Cool Hunting 50 Cent is taking his elevating his spirits portfolio. Teaming up with French crystal powerhouse Lalique, 50 has unveiled the 505 Edition Branson Cognac, priced at a staggering $25,000 per bottle. This ultra rare expression combines craftsmanship, and high-end luxury while nodding to 50 Cent’s brand identity. As he explained in the press release, “The 505 Edition is more than just a bottle — it’s a statement. Every detail, from the crystal design to the cognac itself, reflects the same dedication and hustle I bring to my music and business ventures.” The collaboration with Lalique, known for their exquisite crystal artistry, merges centuries of French craftsmanship with the modern swagger of one of hip-hop’s most iconic moguls.
The Branson 505 Cognac is housed in a crystal decanter featuring a lion-head stopper, a nod to strength and legacy. Beyond aesthetics, the liquid inside is equally formidable: rare eaux-de-vie aged up to 40 years, offering a tasting experience reserved for the most discerning connoisseurs. In addition to its luxury appeal, the 505 Edition Branson Cognac also gives back. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle will be donated to The Sire Spirits Foundation, supporting programs that provide education and opportunities for underserved communities.
The 505 Edition Branson Cognac is only available by invitation only and is limited to 505 pieces worldwide. You can find more about here.
Source: Popeyes Chicken Wraps / McDonald’s Snack Wraps
Popeyes and McDonald’s will be going to war over your taste buds this summer, and their weapon of choice will be chicken wraps.
The two fast food chains have sparked a chicken wrap war after announcing they will feature similar items on their popular menus.
Popeyes is no stranger to getting folks excited with their menu items; see the legendary chicken sandwich, which sparked a frenzy in hoods everywhere. The company is hoping to recapture that same magic with the introduction of its new chicken wraps, which come in three flavors: spicy, classic, and honey mustard.
McDonald’s wasn’t going to let Popeye’s get all the glory and decided to drop its bombshell, announcing the return of its popular Snack Wraps, which were a staple on the dollar menu before becoming a limited item that occasionally makes appearances.
The two announcements have sparked a hilarious frenzy on social media with folks adding their juiciest and most delicious commentary, even taking things to a conspiratorial route.
Others are pointing out the historical significance of Popeyes introducing a new chicken product, as the last time this happened, the entire world was locked down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It seems like time is a flat circle, and history is repeating itself.
Other people on X, formerly Twitter, are commenting on the wrap war taking place before our eyes. “They having a wrap battle,” one user wrote on X.
Lol, very clever.
So, which chicken wrap will you choose? Will you be team Popeyes or team McDonald’s? There isn’t a wrong answer here, as both options are likely good.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
2. The accuracy
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
There are certain ideas that make you say, “What took so long?,” when they finally come to fruition. Case in point, Pusha T has launched a coffee line called Grindin.
For the sake of those who are very new to this Hip-Hop music thing, the Neptunes-produced “Grindin” was the breakthrough hit of Pusha’s group the Clipse way back in 2002.
Hypebeast reports that Push A Ton is launching his coffee brand with a pop-up shop in Los Angeles this upcoming weekend. Reportedly, Grindin is being touted as this premium, high-caffeine black coffee blend that will be available first at OG LA coffee shop Café Tropical.
Reportedly, and per Hip-Hop marketing in 2024 protocol, the brand launch also includes a capsule collection of apparel. That aspect is being handled in conjunction with Carhartt WIP that includes a limited-edition hoodis, tees and tote bags. Fans who will be attending Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw music festival will be able to get their hands on the merchandise at the event.
Recently, Clipse announced it had signed a new record deal with Def Jam Records, with a new album out…soon? Produced entirely by Pharrell Williams, the new album is titled Let God Sort Em Out.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: McDonald’s / McDonald’s
Burgers and fries may be your first thought when considering fast food, but the chicken sandwich got something to say. Case in point, McDonald’s recently dropped a new Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy Sandwich to keep your culinary options at the golden arches varied.
McDonald’s touts the southern-style sandwich, which features spicy Cajun Ranch sauce as, “soul food flavors of the South.” This version of the McCrispy Sandwich also includes applewood smoked bacon and crinkle cut pickles, in a toasted potato roll. You can also up the ante with the Bacon Cajun Ranch Deluxe McCrispy, which adds Roma tomatoes and shredded lettuce to the mix.
The Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy Sandwich is available at McDonald’s for a limited time.
But wait…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Micaiah Carter For Hennessy / Micaiah Carter For Hennessy
The culture’s most beloved cognac is looking to shake up its public perception. Hennessy has teamed up with Teyana Taylor and Damson Idris for a new campaign.
Source: Micaiah Carter For Hennessy / Micaiah Carter For Hennessy
As spotted on Hype Beast the spirits brand aims to build on its legacy. Earlier this week they announced a new campaigned titled “Made For More” which is a lighter and brighter reintroduction to the Madison. To bring the narrative to life they tapped into model and musician Teyana Taylor and British Nigerian actor Damson Idris. The project features five off-beat mixing films which are accompanied by five signature cocktail recipes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5oBx1Js47j/
Teyana Taylor expressed her enthusiasm about the campaign saying “One time, for the love of all things anew, and we all love new things. With that being said, I’m super excited to embark upon this journey with my favorite Cognac, Hennessy. Destination: fresh, bright, and invigorating, like any good cocktail should be.” For Damson the partnership means more than just cocktails. “When I think of Hennessy I think of my three older brothers, I think of amazing memories. The visuals are stylish, the films are fun, it’s magic. It’s cinema” he said.
The Hennessy campaign will be brought to life via dedicated spaces at music festivals throughout the season. You can read more about “Made For More” and the cocktails here.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Richard Levine / Getty
Apparently, when Red Lobster promoted its Ultimate Endless Shrimp deal, the company had severely underestimated how much people love shrimp—and it cost the seafood restaurant giant $11 million in quarterly operating losses.
According to the New York Times, Red Lobster’s “irresistible” all-you-can-eat shrimp promotion was a little too irresistible, so much so that the company was forced to raise the price to $25 from $20 after the popular promotion caused a drop in the restaurant chan’s third-quarter profit—which is generally the opposite of what a popular promotional offer is designed to do.
From the Times:
Thai Union Group, which owns a large stake in the chain, said in a third-quarter earnings call this month that the deal was in part to blame for an $11 million operating loss.
Red Lobster hoped the promotion would bolster traffic at its U.S. locations through fall and winter, when its restaurants tend to be the emptiest.
Ultimate Endless Shrimp had already been a Red Lobster “guest-favorite” staple for over 18 years. But the restaurant took it a step further this summer, offering the previously seasonal deal “all day, every day” instead of just on Mondays.
Obviously, Red Lobster learned nothing from that one episode of The Simpsons.
Ludovic Garnier, the chief financial officer of Thai Union Group, indicated that the corporation was taken completely by surprise by the fact that offering people an unlimited amount of seafood for $20 negatively affected the profits of a restaurant that primarily sells seafood. (*Googles educational credentials needed to become a chief financial advisor*)
“But something which was different from our expectations is the proportion of the people selecting this promotion was much higher compared to expectation,” Garnier told investors earlier this month.
As for the future of the way-too-generous promotion, Garnier indicated that the company hasn’t decided to do away with it completely.
“It’s one of the iconic promotions for Red Lobster, so we want to keep it on the menu,” he said. “But, of course, we need to be much more careful regarding what is the entry point and what is the price point.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: The Balvenie / The Balvenie
On Friday, November 3, the Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Questlove continued their partnership by announcing the release of The Craft of Holiday Entertaining, a limited-edition advent calendar.
Source: The Balvenie / The Balvenie
The Craft of Holiday Entertaining is artfully curated by the six-time GRAMMY Award Winning and Academy Award-winning multihyphenate, and The Roots crew member, to heighten your at-home bar for the holiday season. Since it’s in collab with the Balvenie, whisky enthusiasts will be catered to at it features 12 premium items that include a limited-edition deck of Quest for Craft playing cards, Glencairn tasting glasses and holiday chocolates as well as a QR code to redeem a bottle of The Balvenie DoubleWood 12.
“At the heart of my partnership with The Balvenie is our shared passion for craftsmanship and the journeys that elevate something from great to exceptional,” said Questlove in a statement. “I love to host Food Salons, game nights, and dinner parties and create unforgettable experiences for my guests – especially during the holiday season.”
Quest and Balvenie recently dropped the latest episodes of their Webby Award-winning digital series, Quest for Craft, which is available on The Balvenie’s YouTube channel.
You’ll be able to purchase the Craft of Holiday Entertaining Advent Calendar at TheBalvenieHolidayShop.com beginning on Friday, November 3 and it will cost you $225.
Source: The Balvenie / The Balvenie
-
Pages
