Hennessy Cypher 2025 spotlights pan-African and global artists in a powerful new expression of sound, style and storytelling.
Hennessy, the world’s leading cognac brand and a longstanding champion of music, has just dropped the much-anticipated Hennessy Cypher 2025. This launch affirms Hennessy’s role at forefront of global sound: one that successfully blentheds Hip-Hop, Amapiano and Afrobeats for the first time ever.
Featuring a powerful mix of artists from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania and the UK, this year’s Cypher is a pan-African and diaspora collaboration that places Hennessy once more at the forefront of cultural innovation and sound evolution.
The Hennessy Cypher 2025 represents a unique blend of feats: it’s a genre-fusing, gender-inclusive and boundary-breaking musical experience designed to showcase Africa’s global influence and celebrate the diversity of expression. It also echoes the brand’s ‘Made for More’ philosophy, a belief that when creativity meets culture, the result is always greater than the sum of its parts.
For the first time, the Cypher features female artists while merging Amapiano, Afrobeats and Hip-Hop into a single track. This bold move reflects both the richness of Africa’s evolving soundscape and Hennessy’s commitment to elevating underrepresented voices and redefining the concept of what a Cypher can be. Six artists widely known for their unique sound and style take centre stage: Kabza De Small, Femi One, Ms Banks, Blaqbonez, Jaivah and Joey B.
“At its core, the Hennessy Cypher is about creativity and passion for music,” says Vincent Montalescot, Hennessy’s global Chief Marketing Officer. “It is a true collective play, uniting artists who are disrupting genres and shaping culture, across Africa and beyond. As a master blender of talent and vision, Hennessy continues its long-standing relationship with Africa and reaffirms its commitment to championing African creativity on a global stage”
The music video for Cypher 2025 unfolds inside the Hennessy House, a metaphorical mansion where each room represents a different genre, rhythm and cultural movement. This symbolic creative concept brings to life the idea of co-existence over competition, where Hip-Hop, Amapiano and Afrobeats live side by side in a single visual and musical space.
Directed and produced in Cape Town, South Africa, the Hennessy House becomes a canvas for multi-cultural sound and continental fashion, transitioning from room to room in a sleek journey through a diverse musical landscape.
For over 50 years, Hennessy has been woven into the DNA of Hip-Hop. From Tupac to Snoop, Nas to Drake, the brand has been name-checked in over 4,000 songs, making Hennessy the most mentioned spirit brand in music history.
An international collaboration blending Afro-fusion and trap, set to spotlight PEI on the global music map
Charlottetown, PEI — Local hip-hop artist Rightflow just released his highly anticipated new single “Man O War”, a cross-continental collaboration featuring Nigerian rap artist Zaylevelten, who is pioneering a bold wave of Afro rap and Afro-fusion music.
“Man O War” is more than just a song — it’s a cultural bridge. Combining the high-energy rhythms of Afrobeat and the raw edge of trap and hip-hop, the track brings together the distinct musical influences of Prince Edward Island and Nigeria. Rightflow’s lyricism and emotive delivery pair seamlessly with Zaylevelten’s Afro-fusion style, which draws on Nigerian Pidgin English and modern rap flows.
Zaylevelten has already made waves in the international music scene, collaborating with artists such as Fimiguerrero(who previously worked with UK rapper Lancey Foux) and earning co-signs from industry heavyweights like Davido, Odumodublvck, and Santi. His feature on “Man O War” reflects the growing cultural exchange between Afro-fusion and Western hip-hop — and places PEI in the spotlight of that global conversation.
Rightflow expressed his excitement about the release:
“This track is about more than music — it’s about merging worlds. Working with Zaylevelten has been inspiring because his sound carries the heartbeat of Nigeria while connecting with the energy of trap and rap that I’ve been building here in PEI. ‘Man O War’ shows how music can travel across borders and bring cultures together.”
With a growing following in Prince Edward Island and beyond, Rightflow is emerging as a fresh voice in Canada’s hip-hop and R&B scene. “Man O War” highlights his ambition to break through regional boundaries and showcase how artists from smaller markets can create globally resonant music.
The single will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms on [Insert Release Date]. Fans can follow Rightflow on [Insert Social Media Handles] for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and future releases.
“From SoundCloud to Stardom: Scumie’s 066, Vol. 3 Shows She’s One of Hip-Hop’s Next Big Names”
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Rising South African rapper, singer, and producer Scumie has officially released her highly anticipated new album, 066, Vol. 3 — the latest installment in her acclaimed 066 series. The 13-track project marks a bold evolution in Scumie’s career, following her breakout albums 066 (2021) and 066, Vol. 2, which first introduced her to the South African SoundCloud scene and helped her gain early recognition as a rising hip-hop talent.
066, Vol. 3 features powerhouse collaborations with Zimbabwean-South African superstar Nadia Nakai, as well as Qwellers’ Yungboyvegeta & Lowfeye, blending dynamic local and cross-border hip-hop sounds. Every track showcases Scumie’s signature mix of raw lyrical intensity, melodic flair, and atmospheric production — cementing her as one of the most exciting voices in South African rap and contemporary hip-hop.
“This album is me — raw in a curated way, “066, Vol. 3 is about evolution. Disillusioned, but front row at Paris Fashion Week.”
Scumie
The 066 series has long acted as a living archive of Scumie’s artistic journey: ● 066 (2021) captured raw instinct and underground energy.
● 066, Vol. 2 sparked industry attention and built momentum.
● 066, Vol. 3 represents refinement and growth — a confident, restless project that shows Scumie embracing both her strength and vulnerability.
From start to finish, 066, Vol. 3 is a sonic exploration of self-realisation, aesthetic power, and subtle rebellion. Each track moves like a blurred Polaroid — imperfect, grainy, yet intensely alive — drawing listeners into an immersive world of authentic South African rap.
Scumie personally produced track 1, and the album features production from some of South Africa’s hottest new wave producers, including: BeatsByNxRTH, Brotherkupa, Chetey Chetey, Guapo & NNoah, HUDS, HUDS & Zackey, Joey Manson, N.k.v.y, NotBenjamin and internationally acclaimed American producer The Alchemist.
With this release, 066, Vol. 3 solidifies Scumie’s position as a leading figure in the African hip-hop landscape, bridging underground credibility with mainstream appeal. The album is now available on all major streaming platforms worldwide, marking another milestone in her rapidly ascending career.
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About Scumie
Zamazitha Mnqandi, known professionally as Scumie, is a dynamic South African rapper, singer, and producer who has swiftly risen to prominence in the global hip-hop scene. Born in Midrand, Johannesburg, Scumie began her musical journey at 14, initially producing beats before transitioning into rapping during the 2020 lockdown. Her debut track on SoundCloud charted unexpectedly, marking the beginning of her ascent in the music industry.
In 2025, Scumie released her debut studio album, 066 VOL 3, featuring collaborations with artists like Nadia Nakai and YungBoyVegeta. The album showcases her unique blend of alternative hip-hop, incorporating elements of punk, emo rap, and electronic influences. Scumie’s authentic storytelling and genre-defying sound have garnered her a dedicated following and critical acclaim.
Beyond her musical achievements, Scumie has been recognized for her advocacy for female artists in the music industry, encouraging them to build their own empires rather than conforming to existing structures. Her influence extends beyond South Africa, as she continues to inspire and redefine the global hip-hop landscape.
After 8 years of silence, SirNic216 is finally making his long-awaited return, and this time, he’s not just dropping music, he’s telling his story. His latest 7-track EP Almost Never, marks his first release since his 2017 project. For long-time supporters, this isn’t just another drop, it’s a moment. A long-overdue chapter
The title, Almost Never, is more than poetic. It reflects a near-fatal accident that almost ended his career, and his life. The EP explores what it means to fight through silence, pain, and doubt.
“Almost Never is a prayer in reverse. A quiet scream from the edge of a moment. A confession dressed in resilience,
SirNic216
The sonic direction of the EP is steered by two distinct forces: Lesotho’s own Taks Beats and Thor Björgvinsson, a gifted producer all the way from Iceland. Together, they deliver a soundscape that merges sharp lyricism with haunting emotion and intentional vulnerability. Each track on this EP is a piece of that journey, honest, unfiltered, and necessary. It’s a story of survival. A second chance. A bold return from an artist who almost never made it back.
Fresh off the success of her last single “can’t stop” — which climbed to #1 on the 5FM Top 40 and made waves across streaming platforms — Zimbabwean-Ethiopian rapper and lyricist Hanna returns with her brand-new single “tough crowd”, dropping on 22 August 2025.
Known as one of South Africa’s most exciting young voices, Hanna blends the raw storytelling of hip-hop with the smooth textures of R&B and polished pop production. On “tough crowd”, she delivers an empowering anthem for anyone who’s ever felt like their best still wasn’t enough. Sparked by the heartbreak of someone close, the song speaks to the universal struggle of people-pleasing and the liberation that comes with breaking free.
Her vocals glide between vulnerability and resolve, rising into a hook that feels equal parts pep talk and rallying cry. With sleek, confident production and a tight runtime, “tough crowd” wastes no breath — instead carrying a bold, unapologetic message: you can’t please everyone, so you might as well be yourself.
tough crowd is one of those songs I didn’t realise I also needed to hear until I was done making it,”Hanna explains. “It started out about someone else, then quickly became very close to home. It’s one of those messages that just resonates deeply and that almost anyone can relate to. Whether it’s feeling like you can’t catch a break no matter how hard you try, or for those in the public eye, always being damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”
Hanna
Hanna’s career has been on a sharp upward trajectory. From making her mark in Mr Eazi’s #emPawa100 and Nasty C’s Lift As You Rise, to a Best Female nomination at the South African Hip-Hop Awards for her debut mixtape The Girl in the Durag, she’s continued to cement her place in the industry. In 2024, her critically acclaimed Guilt Free EP earned widespread praise and landed her on Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio’s Big 5 with lead single “Pride.”
Now, with “tough crowd”, Hanna reinforces her new era — one that builds on the momentum of her chart-topping success while championing authenticity, self-assurance, and artistry that resonates deeply with her growing audience.
African music takes another giant leap forward as BabyDaiz drops his brand-new single Matisa today, a record destined to move dance floors, hearts, and the culture itself.
BabyDaiz is not just an artist – he’s a force shaping the sound and spirit of a generation. Rising to fame with his breakout single “Enemies,” hailed by Nasty C as having the “greatest music video in South African history,” BabyDaiz quickly established himself as a creative disruptor. He then sparked a continent-wide wave with the viral anthem “Top! Masambe,” a TikTok sensation that had millions dancing across borders.
Following his breakout hits, BabyDaiz’s Allez Tobina single was more than just another release – it was a movement. Fusing high-energy African rhythms with world-class production, the track redefined the soundscape and cemented BabyDaiz as a true culture shaper. Riding this wave, he shared stages with Africa’s top stars, performed at major festivals, and built a dedicated fanbase – over 2.2 million TikTok followers, 241K Instagram fans, 8 million YouTube views, and 87K+ monthly Spotify listeners. Each milestone sharpened his vision and set the stage for his next bold step.
Now, after electrifying the streets and streams, BabyDaiz returns with Matisa – meaning “lift it up” in Lingala – a single that embodies elevation in every sense. Produced by Astro and Mathew Otis, the track is a spiritual rising through rhythm, rage, and ancestral release. Drawing from his rich multicultural roots – from South Africa to Atlanta and beyond – BabyDaiz crafts a sound that is deeply African yet universally resonant. Matisa is more than a single – it’s a statement. Proof that African music is not just participating in the global conversation; it’s leading it. With infectious energy, unapologetic originality, and an ever-growing international audience, BabyDaiz is lifting the culture to new heights.
Hailing from Kigali Rwanda, Sano Boi release his debut EP Fingers Crossed, a month after the success of his street-shaking debut single “Drip on Monday” featuring B-Threy. The project’s title, “FINGERS CROSSED,” serves as a powerful symbol of hope for anyone to make it in life, regardless of the hard obstacles.
Fingers Crossed symbolizes my hope and support for anyone striving to achieve their goals, This project is a heartfelt and energetic collection of songs that serves as a powerful symbol of hope and perseverance against life obstacles and are sure to move your feet and soul.
Sano Boi
“90’s Kid”: on this deeply personal track, Sano Boi reflects on his childhood, born in 1996. This song highlights the spirit of “United as one,” where segregation has no seat. Sano Boi shares the story of losing his father at the age of nine and how that profoundly impacted his life. This song is an anthem for all the 90’s kids across the world who grew up with big dreams of contributing to their community and making a change.
“Run It”: Sano Boi showcases his flawless flow and raw talent on this track, reminding everyone that giving up is not an option. “The future is holding tight your Mulla , Guma Ukore Cyane Uzayacyura”. Run it captures the spirit of perseverance and the drive to succeed regardless of the obstacles in one’s path.
“Kama Mbaya Mbaya” ft. BUSHALI: This track, featuring Kinyatrap pioneer BUSHALI, is a powerful declaration of determination. The Swahili title, “Kama Mbaya Mbaya,” reinforces Sano Boi’s message that he will make it no matter what it takes. The song encourages listeners to keep their faith and put in the work to achieve their goals
The project’s title, “FINGERS CROSSED,” serves as a powerful symbol. Sano Boi chose it as he is rooting for anyone to make it in life, regardless of the hard obstacles on the journey.
“ Fingers Crossed symbolizes my hope and support for anyone striving to achieve their goals” Sano Boi
After back-to-back drops that are shaking up the scene, South African genre- bender Seru The Ellipsis is showing no signs of slowing down. Just two weeks after the inspirational Enerjay, and still riding the momentum of Paco Rabbane featuring Blue Pappi & LaCabra, Seru returns with a fresh new single: Fruit & Veg featuring Lowfeye. Fruit & Veg is a vibrant, tongue-in-cheek celebration of confidence and style — using the metaphor of fresh produce to describe dressing at the highest level of freshness. Speaking on the meaning behind the track Seru Shares
The song Fruit and Veg is about dressing so fresh that you look like fresh produce. Have you ever seen a fresh tomato or apple at a fruit and veg? It looks appetizing and delicious. Your drip has to be as fresh as the produce at a fruit and veg — hence the hook: ‘drip on produce super fresh ngathi ngi thenge iskhindi eFruit and Veg.’ The song encourages you to be at your best level of drip at all times
Seru The Ellipsis
This image was taken by Lethabo Motseleng.
Following the motivational tone of Enerjay — an anthem for anyone chasing their dreams despite the doubters — Fruit & Veg adds a playful layer to Seru’s growing discography, showing his range and sharp storytelling through style and swagger. The release also follows a major milestone: Seru The Ellipsis was recently featured as the cover artist of Spotify’s Hip Hop Circle playlist, cementing his rising influence in the South African hip-hop space
What’s up with the recent trend of making music about cars From “Escaladizzy” to “Lamb Truck”, one might suggest that this release is nothing more than an imitation of a proven strategy. Afro-Drill Pioneer, EESKAY, completely disproves that notion with his latest melodic rendition encapsulating an imperfect tale sharing insight into what it takes to build a global movement’ with this release.
From the first 808 drop, “Lamb Truck” hits like a victory lap, fusing EESKAY’s unique delivery with razor-sharp production from Wana Sn and Tubase that feels like the pavement under a roaring V12. Its bold energy and confident lyricism position it as the season’s next breakout hit, engineered for festival stages, car rides, and global dance floors alike.
This isn’t just music, this is motion. “When you hear it, you’re in the driver’s seat. You feel the power, the hunger to win.
EESKAY
”Already buzzing on socials and sliding into heavy rotation on key playlists, “Lamb Truck” which is like nothing you’ve heard before is being tagged “Song of Summer 2025” by early listeners. It’s the kind of record you don’t just play, but live.
Algiers The capital witnessed a unique event : “Rencontre – Digging the Past, Documenting the Future: Archiving Algerian Hip Hop” an unprecedented cultural event dedicated to the Hip Hop memory in Algeria . Organized by Dawer El Hip Hop presented by Monst-R “Sohayb Kehal and Mohamed Amine Benloulou collaborating with the artistic space “El Mahatta” presented by Reda Mhenni Aka “El Moutanakil” this project was able to unite artists, researchers and activists towards a shared goal : exploring effective methods to extract, classify, document and archive the Hip Hop scene in Algeria.
Visual presentations and committed speeches.
The first part of the event started at 17:00 with an opening speech by “Monst-R” (Sohayb Kehal) and “El Moutanakil” (Reda Mhenni), who welcomed the attendees and represented the programme of the activity. The event started directly with screening of selected clips (about 35 minutes) from the documentary “The Eternal Spirit of Hip Hop in Algeria” which covered the history and beginnings of Algerian Rap, followed by screening of another short documentary “Ketba Fel Heetan”(writing on the walls) a 5 minutes documentary puts the graffiti art under the spotlight as a means of artistic, social, political resistance. Both of the projects were directed by “Monst-R” (Sohayb Kehal)
At 18:00, was the beginning of the third screening, which is a documentation video made by “Nabil Djedouani” exclusively for this event .The video discusses his experience with Algerian hip-hop, forms of grassroots archiving, and alternative cultures, specifically through lens of cinema .His contribution established theoretical foundations for thinking about the role of the archive in hip-hop culture.
After the shows and before announcing the break, the highlight of the event took place, where “Monst-R” revealed physical archival materials (a collection of cassettes, CD’s and books some of them rare) represents a sample of the projects that were produced in Algerian rap (some were officially released and others remained exclusive and never saw the light of the day)
Examples of the presented material:
● cassette of the first official album in the history of Arabic rap “Intik” under the title of “Gris” produced in 1995 and has never been officially released.
● cassette of the first official relesed album in Algerian rap by “MBS” under the title of “Ouled El Bahdja” was released in 1997
● Cassette of the album “Guerre Civile” by “Hamma Boys” was released in 1997 ● The complete discography (cassettes and CD’s) of the rapper “Lotfi Double Kanon”, whether with his group or as a solo artist.
● CD of an album by “Soldatesk” which was produced by “3rd Rap Record” shortly before 2004 and wasn’t officially released.
● The book “Arab El Rap” written by “Aridj El badraoui” and “Bassant Mahmoud” was published in 2023.
After that, the break was announced, and a small exhibition of the physical archives (cassettes, CDs, etc…) was opened, where attendees were able to view them, take pictures, and engage in discussions over coffee
The Archive as a Space for Creativity
Following the break, the second part of the event commenced with a more dialogic and academic character, bringing together three speakers with diverse approaches and experiences in archiving.
The opening was with “Fada Vex”, a rapper and Hip Hop activist for over 30 years, who used his podcast “Cha Derna” as a living example of archiving, seeking to answer the question: “Why and how can we archive the Algerian Hip Hop and rap scene?”
It was followed by an intervention from “Ibtissam Boulebrachen”, a researcher and activist in Rai music, who spoke about the intersections between rap and Rai, focusing on the late “Dr. Hadj Miliani”, who was an important bridge between rap and Rai and wrote in both fields. Then came the turn of activist “Zakaria Akhrouf”, who, drawing on his experience in collecting rap archives, shed light on issues related to copyright and the obstacles that must be overcome to lay a solid foundation for the Algerian rap archive.
After that, the floor was opened to the audience to ask questions, before the atmosphere heated up in a lively discussion between “Fada vex” and “DJ SL.” Everyone then moved on to the second break, which served as a prelude to the third part of the event.
Open Discussion and Remarkable Conclusion
The third part lasted for about an hour and took the form of an open discussion among the attendees, aiming to determine the necessary methods and develop a practical roadmap for beginning the documentation of Algerian Hip Hop’s memory. The dialogue included an exchange of experiences between veterans and youth, as well as the sharing of ideas on how to collect scattered archives, protect them from loss, and make them accessible to researchers and the public.
As for the conclusion, it was another remarkable moment, as another part of the archive was unveiled- this time in a different way. Multiple copies of Album “El Facteur” (2004) by Fada Vex were displayed, along with signed copies of the poster for the album “Ramz El Maktoub” (2010) available for sale. This moment turned into a spontaneous conversational space, where attendees exchanged stories and memories tied to these works, took photos, and enjoyed an atmosphere that combined nostalgia with celebration of the scene’s history perfectly embodying one of the event’s goals and giving the audience the chance to acquire an important piece of Algerian rap’s archive.
Foundational Act and Collective Space
This open discussion underscored the strength of the event in bringing together diverse voices and experiences in a single space, with participation from activists and contributors from various backgrounds: rappers, directors, producers, cultural actors, academics, graffiti artists, and slammers. It succeeded in breaking generational barriers by uniting figures from the early days of Algerian rap with contemporary names, such as Fada Vex, DJ SL, Icowesh, Monst-R, Zahham, Ztella and others…
The event “Digging the Past, Documenting the Future: Archiving Algerian Hip Hop” marked a first step toward answering the essential question: “What are the most effective methods to preserve and document the memory and archive of Algerian hip-hop ?” It also opened the door to the possibility of establishing a future platform and a comprehensive project that would bring together both physical and digital archives, serving as a reference for future generations and preserving the memory of a culture that has remained marginalized for decades. This event was followed the next day by another activity in downtown Algiers, at the venue of “Artissimo” titled “Gaâda Hip Hop”, which also resonated strongly especially with the addition of live performances by rappers, breakdancers, and beatboxers…
