Super Producer Dr. Dre is an equity owner in a new venture with Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd to create and market a new line of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Dr.Dre is in an equal arrangement to share the responsibilities of developing and marketing products with the company.
News of this agreement comes after a previous partnership was made between Drinks Americas and Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records.
A new super premium cognac will be the first product under the deal and will be followed by a new sparkling vodka, which is currently in development.
Dr.Dre has announced he has future plans to venture into the imported premium tequila business too.
“I’m always down for a new challenge,” Dr.Dre told CNN of this new venture. “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.”
Other Drinks America products include Willie Nelson’s Old Whiskey River Bourbon, Donald Trump’s award winning Trump Super Premium Vodka and Paul Newman’s Lightly Sparkling Fruit Juice Drinks and Flavored Waters.
“We are thrilled to be working with Dr. Dre, a true icon, as an owner and our partner in brands that will reflect his tastes and personality.” said President & chief executive officer (CEO) of Drinks Americas, J. Patrick Kenny “Unlike hiring a celebrity to help grow an existing brand, Dr. Dre is an equity owner of the brands and will be involved as our partner at every stage of the process.”
“We expect Dre’s foray into the beverage business to rival the magnitude of his success in the music business,” he continued. “Our plan is to be in key markets as 2008 unfolds with a superior cognac followed by selected premium spirits category entries. We have the credit facilities and production partners.”
In related news as HipHopDons.com/RapBlueprint.com also recently reported [click here], Dr.Dre filed papers in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles earlier this month in an attempt to obtain documents from record label Death Row so that he can calculate the total amount he is owed by the label in unpaid royalties.
