Hennessy has brought together some of Africa and the diaspora’s most distinctive hip-hop voices for the 2026 edition of the Hennessy Cypher, with South African rapper Yanga Chief representing the country on a pan-African collaboration that celebrates lyricism, culture and creative exchange.
The latest Cypher is produced by Nigerian hitmaker Sarz and features Yanga Chief alongside Ghanaian rapper Kwesi Arthur, British-Nigerian rapper ENNY, Kenyan singer-songwriter Fena Gitu, Cameroonian rapper Tenor and Ivorian lyricist Suspect 95. The project marks the first time Francophone African artists have been included in the Cypher’s 15-year history.
Recorded and filmed in Johannesburg, the project places the artists in what Hennessy describes as “The Underground Meetup”, a visual world designed to bring together the raw energy of hip-hop with a more refined contemporary aesthetic. The video was directed and produced by Juan Visser of Human Studio, with styling by Bee Diamondhead.
For Yanga Chief, being part of the project is about more than representing South Africa. The rapper sees the Cypher as an opportunity to demonstrate how hip-hop can connect artists and audiences across the continent.
“The Hennessy Cypher means a lot for African hip-hop,” Yanga said. “I think when it comes to us Africans being together and being ourselves and getting to know one another most importantly, I think hip-hop has always been a great conduit for that.”
Yanga becomes the third South African rapper to participate in the Hennessy Cypher, following in the footsteps of artists who have helped establish the platform as a major showcase for African hip-hop. Previous editions have featured names including M.anifest, Sarkodie, Maglera Doe Boy, Ladipoe, Octopizzo, Zlatan and Didi B.
The 2026 edition also reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of African music, bringing together artists from South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and the United Kingdom.
For Hennessy, that exchange between different cultures and musical identities sits at the heart of the project.
“The art of blending is at the heart of Hennessy,” said Aimee Kellen, Moët Hennessy MEA Regional Marketing Director. “Just as distinct eaux-de-vie are brought together to create something exceptional, this year’s Cypher unites six remarkable voices from across Africa and the United Kingdom, each bringing their own perspective and energy.”
Kellen added that the brand viewed the collaboration as a chance to create an environment where artists could meet, exchange ideas and produce something unique.
“It is a privilege to create a space where these artists can meet, collaborate and make something that could only exist through their collective talent,” she said.
The Cypher continues Hennessy’s long-standing relationship with hip-hop culture, with the brand having become closely associated with artists and music communities across generations and territories. According to Billboard Africa, Hennessy has been referenced in more than 58,000 songs, making it one of the most recognisable spirit brands in music history.
The collaboration also arrives at a time when African hip-hop is increasingly moving beyond traditional geographical boundaries. Streaming platforms, social media and cross-border collaborations have made it easier for audiences to discover rap from different parts of the continent and its diaspora.
Rather than attempting to create one uniform African hip-hop sound, the 2026 Hennessy Cypher allows each artist to bring their own identity, language, experience and musical style to the same production.
For Yanga, that spirit of connection is particularly important as African artists continue to build bridges between local scenes and international audiences.
The result is a Cypher that positions African hip-hop as a diverse and evolving movement, while giving each artist the opportunity to make their voice heard on a shared platform.
The Hennessy Cypher 2026 is now available to stream, with the collaboration released as a single produced by Sarz.
