Havana Club has teamed up with Burna Boy, the “African Giant,” to create a limited edition Havana Club 7 rum bottling. Over the past few years, much-needed contemporary voices from Africa have emerged to tell and defend narratives from the storied continent. Burna Boy has largely been at the forefront through crossover sounds that blend Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, rap, and R&B, and empowering lyrics delivered with conviction, winning him the Best World Music Album at last year’s Grammy Awards.
This vibrant Havana Club 7 limited edition bottle is inspired by the traditional cultural headgear found in South Nigeria, with tassels illustrated on the front label, and a multicoloured “Aso Oke” background – a hand-woven cloth created by the Yoruba People of West Africa often adorning gowns and hats worn for celebratory ceremonies such as weddings. This is Burna Boy’s personal ode to the beauty of culture, the strength of community values and joy to defend his roots.
Honouring one’s roots is something that the artist and Havana Club share, from Nigeria to Cuba, and Burna Boy wanted to make sure the limited edition bottle reflected this pride in one’s origins. Sitting front and centre of the bottle is “Burna Boy” handwritten by the artist himself, while a palm leaf crown wraps the Havana Club logo – an ode to the African Union emblem, and the bottom part of the label integrates the Rivers State region of Nigeria, where Burna Boy was born.
A short film celebrates the intimately interwoven story between Burna Boy and Havana Club; an observance of conviviality, tribe and bonding values, be it in the comforts of one’s home or the optimism of a dancefloor, from Lagos to London. To give a voice to the « Fabric of culture », a voice over by Burna Boy himself takes this movie to the next level, making the collaboration come to life as a connection of family and friendships via the Havana Club bottle and supporting a spirited message of love from Burna Boy himself:
“It takes a great person to overcome daily trials and tribulations, and an even greater person to intentionally decide that life is for living,” he says. “As we share in the beauty of culture, community and heritage, let’s celebrate in united liberations. Please remember that you are a GIANT, today and always.” A toast to hope and togetherness that Havana Club is proud to be supporting.
The Havana Club x Burna Boy limited edition bottle will be available throughout the summer in a dozen countries including Cuba, Germany, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the UK.
For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
In May, Havana Club teamed up with rapper Frenna to launch a limited edition bottle of Havana Club 7. In March, the Cuban rum brand partnered with Spanish DJ Bad Gyal to launch a limited edition bottle.
Last year, Skepta created his own iteration of Havana Club rum, called Rum of Skepta.