(antiMusic) Just want we need, another hip-hop star selling hops. Here is the stunning announcement: Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd, a leading owner, developer and marketer of premium beverages, today announced a new beverage venture in association with Grammy Award-winning producer and artist, Dr. Dre. Drinks Americas and Dr. Dre have formed a partnership to identify, develop, and market premium non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. The partnership's first premium beverages will be a super premium cognac selection, followed by a unique new to market sparkling vodka (which is now being crafted). Drinks Americas and Dr. Dre also plan to enter the growing imported premium tequila category.The venture marks the first time an iconic artist has partnered directly with a beverage company in an equity arrangement to jointly develop and market products. The deal is under the umbrella of the previously announced agreement between Drinks Americas and Interscope Geffen A&M Records.
The partnership will be the latest in Dr. Dre's successful business ventures, which include his eleven-year old record company, Aftermath Entertainment, with artists including Eminem and 50 Cent, and his recently announced film production company, Crucial Films. The new products will join Drinks Americas' current and growing portfolio of products including Donald Trump's award winning Trump Super Premium Vodka, Willie Nelson's Old Whiskey River Bourbon and Paul Newman's Lightly Sparkling Fruit Juice Drinks and Flavored Waters.
"I'm always down for a new challenge," said Dr. Dre. "When Drinks Americas approached me about going into business with them, I knew there was a lot of competition out there but it was the same way when I started doing music. I'm going to put the best product out there, because that's what I do."
