Hennessy has just dropped its most boundary-pushing Cypher yet, bringing together six powerhouse artists in a first-ever global collaboration that blends Amapiano, Afrobeats, and Hip-Hop into one electrifying track.
The Hennessy Cypher 2025 features an impressive lineup spanning continents: South Africa’s Amapiano king Kabza De Small, Kenya’s fierce lyricist Femi One, UK-Nigerian rap force Ms Banks, Nigeria’s genre-fluid Blaqbonez, Tanzania’s rising star Jaivah, and Ghana’s versatile Joey B.
Breaking New Ground
This year’s Cypher makes history as the first to feature female artists, with Femi One becoming the first East African woman to take the Cypher stage alongside Ms Banks as the first UK-based talent in the series. The gender-inclusive approach reflects the evolving African music landscape and Hennessy’s commitment to amplifying diverse voices.
“At its core, the Hennessy Cypher is about creativity and passion for music,” says Vincent Montalescot, Hennessy’s Global Chief Marketing Officer. “It’s a true collective play, uniting artists who are disrupting genres and shaping culture across Africa and beyond.”
The Artists Bringing the Heat
- Kabza De Small brings authentic Amapiano energy as the globally recognized King of the genre. The South African producer, who was Spotify’s most-streamed local artist in 2020 and 2024, recently worked with Drake and 21 Savage, cementing his international influence.
- Femi One represents Kenya with her signature Swahili bars and fearless commentary. The AFRIMA 2022 Best Female Rapper brings cultural authority and sharp lyricism that made her viral hit “Utawezana” a continental sensation.
- Ms Banks channels UK rap energy with her Nigerian-Ugandan heritage. Having collaborated with Nicki Minaj and Cardi B and performed at Glastonbury, she brings bold international energy to the mix.
- Blaqbonez delivers Nigeria’s new school sound, blending hip-hop, Afrobeats and pop. His album “Emeka Must Shine” featured Ludacris and earned him a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of 50 Hip-Hop innovators.
- Jaivah represents Tanzania’s experimental edge, fusing Amapiano, Bongo Flava and Afrobeats. His breakout hit “Soup” became a regional anthem, while his latest “Kautaka” is gaining traction across Africa.
- Joey B brings Ghana’s signature cool, effortlessly blending Hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeat. The multiple Vodafone Ghana Music Awards winner has collaborated with Sarkodie, King Promise, and Mr Eazi.
Visual Storytelling
The music video unfolds in the metaphorical “Hennessy House” – a mansion where each room represents different genres and cultural movements. Directed and produced in Cape Town, the concept visualizes co-existence over competition, showing Hip-Hop, Amapiano, and Afrobeats living harmoniously in one creative space.
Cultural Legacy
Since 1974, Hennessy has been deeply embedded in Hip-Hop culture, mentioned in over 4,000 songs by artists from Tupac to Drake. The Cypher, which started in Nigeria in 2011, has evolved into a powerful platform celebrating Africa’s musical innovation and cultural storytelling on a global stage.
The 2025 edition embodies Hennessy’s “Made for More” philosophy – that when creativity meets culture, the result transcends individual parts to create something entirely new.
