Johannesburg, 04 December 2023: In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop, Ballantine’s, the world’s second-largest Scotch whisky* collaborated with the iconic frontman of Wu-Tang Clan, RZA. This partnership is a testament to the shared values of staying true to oneself and forging a unique path, as both entities came together to inspire self-expression and creativity.
Over the past few months, Ballantine’s and RZA embarked on an exhilarating journey, encouraging people to embrace authenticity and express themselves through a series of unexpected brand collaborations spanning music, fashion, and food. The first drop in the partnership brought together their shared love of music through a collaboration with Crosley, which saw the release of a limited edition Ballantine’s x RZA Crosley record player and Bluetooth speaker. This was followed by a capsule collection created in partnership with the iconic Japanese streetwear brand NEIGHBORHOOD, putting fashion at the heart of self-expression, and most recently, a unique collaboration with cult hot sauce brand Flying Goose.
The Ballantine’s x NEIGHBORHOOD limited-edition fashion and accessories capsule collection were made available globally from October 26th on HighSnobiety Shop and END.clothing, allowing fans worldwide to embrace the fusion of style and individuality.
The third drop saw RZA bringing together Ballantine’s and the home of the original sriracha hot sauce, Flying Goose, to create a distinctive hot sauce inspired by his passion for Asian food and culture. The result is a unique alcohol-free condiment that captures the essence of Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel, a blended Scotch whisky aged for a minimum of seven years while maintaining the fiery heat characteristic of Flying Goose’s iconic sriracha.
The journey continues with a spectacular landing in South Africa, as Ballantine’s opens a pop-up store at The Wing Republic in Johannesburg, Braamfontein, from December 1st to February 26th, 2024, on Fridays and Saturdays. The pop-up store will offer the exclusive NEIGHBORHOOD collection for sale. Additionally, visitors can explore a range of platters and recipes featuring the limite edition sauce, allowing them to experience the fusion of flavors inspired by RZA’s culinary passions.
Tee Naidoo, Marketing Activation Manager for Ballantine’s South Africa expressed his enthusiasm in the collaboration, stating; “We are thrilled to see the Ballantine’s x RZA collaboration come to life on the vibrant and bustling streets of Braamfontein. This partnership embodies the spirit of self-expression and creative fusion, and we look forward to sharing the excitement with the diverse and dynamic community in Johannesburg.”
For more information on the Ballantine’s x RZA collaboration and pop-up store, please visit Ballantines.com/RZA or follow us on @ballantinessa
*Source: IWSR 2022
