Read on Twitter
I see the Hennessy debate all the time on my TL whether it's good or nasty. However this cognac and brandy is very popular amongst African-Americans/rappers regarding the taste. Here's a mini thread explaining why:
Richard Hennessy, an Irishman founded Hennessy in 1765 after serving Louis XV's army. Hennessy was an Aristocrat and served as a military officer under the French army after moving to continental Europe.
source https://vinepair.com/articles/best-hennessy-cognac/
source https://vinepair.com/articles/best-hennessy-cognac/
This is where the deeper meaning comes into play. Black soldiers came to fight in Southern France for both World Wars were they discovered the smooth cognac. Around the same time, France had an arrival of African-American jazz artists, bands who filled Paris's clubs.
Back in the states, whiskey was a common spirit named after confederate leaders (Rebel Yell) that mainly appealed to southern white nationalists. source: https://slate.com/human-interest/2013/12/cognac-in-african-american-culture-the-long-history-of-black-consumption-of-the-french-spirit.html
After the WWII black soldiers would bring home Hennessy along with the many memories associated with the brand from their time stationed in France. This ultimately led to a 1950's ad that featured Hennessy in Jet and Ebony magazines. source https://imbibemagazine.com/histocial-connection-between-black-americans-and-cognac/
Fast forward to the Early 2000s, cognac companies such as Courvoisier, Hennessy, and Remy Ma featured heavy ads that primarily engaged black buyers. Hennessy is now the most mentioned liquor in rap songs according to https://hyphyhiphop.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/top-6-booze-brands-mentioned-in-rap-songs/
In 2013, Hennessy officially named Rapper/Musician Nas as the Congac's brand ambassador.
In 2020, France exports more than 97% of the cognac with the U.S. being the biggest buyer. African-Americans makes up majority of the sales.
In summary, Hennessy was attracted to black U.S. soldiers stationed in France during WWI and II and loved the smooth taste. Black soldiers would primarily drink Hennessy in lounges, clubs, and bars in the region. They brought the brandy back to the states,... (cont)
in contrast to whiskey consumed by white racists. Black people now have a luxury liquor that was embraced by them. Hennessy featured black people in ads in the 50's which was very rare given the harsh racial climate that blacks endured. Thus, leading to cultural impact amongst..
African-Americans today.
