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Old building charm meets classic elegance
An inconspicuous backyard in Wedding leads to the place where millions of streamed songs are created: the studio of the Berlin artist $OHO BANI. Anyone who listens to the 27-year-old’s music quickly notices that one brand, one drink, keeps creeping up: “Rémy Martin Cognac”. This resulted in Rémy Martin’s first collaboration with a German artist, to whose event we were invited.
Berlin’s old building charm, adorned by soundproof walls, screens and instruments, meets classic elegance in a fluid form. A colorful flower arrangement surrounded by sweets and savory snacks welcomes us. We would find out what the strange constellation of candied ginger, dried fruits, cinnamon sticks and much more means over the course of the sunny afternoon.
After a refreshing “Horse’s Neck”, a mixed drink made from Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac, Ginger Ale, and Angostura Bitters, as well as a short speech, songs by $OHO BANI are played, from which his long-standing love for Rémy Martin is clearly evident:
“I go upstairs with the people of yesterday / And I know it will never be the same again / But on Rémy I fly like a pheasant” – MOUNTAIN CLIMBING (2023)
Passion, craft and community
The event introduced us to the consistent principles of the drink with 300 years of history and the rapper: “passion, craft and community”. This triad connects a centuries-old family business with a young artist and his passion for music.
$OHO BANI’s path to French cognac began just a flight of stairs away: he discovered a bottle in his parents’ basement, tried it and made it the From then on, Rémy Martin became his companion at parties and tours. The cognac established itself as an integral part of his songs and after years of numerous mentions, a joint project was almost inevitable. The limited “Rémy Martin VSOP Artist Edition”, designed by $OHO BANI, was the result.
Trip to Cognac
After the musical introduction and the snacks served, we had the opportunity to talk to the Berlin artist. He talked about his trip to Cognac, which took place as part of the project and which he has fond memories of. He was particularly impressed by the meeting with Baptiste Loiseau, cellar master of the Maison since 2014. It became increasingly clear how much the values of $OHO BANI and the Maison overlap: time, intuition, patience and an eye for details that cannot be forced. Just as a song doesn’t come about because you plan it, but because you give it space, a cognac like Rémy Martin also needs time, experience and the right feeling at the right moment.
In addition, the similarities between the shared values and the Maison increasingly emerged. “Aside from the fact that we really loved the product, I didn’t deal with the brand that intensively and I learned an incredible amount,” he explained. First there was the belief in cognac, then the enthusiasm for everything that lies behind it.
“Turn it down, I turn it up, turn it up, I need it
Ten boys and Rémy in my stomach” – Time for something to happen
Tasting: Ripe plum, candied orange and spicy notes
After the discussions, the guests gathered at the opulently set table. At the end of the afternoon, Rémy Martin
In the glass, the XO appeared in a warm mahogany tone. When swirled, aromas of ripe plum, candied orange and subtle spice notes emerged. The table also picked up on this aroma: chocolate, almonds, ginger, dried fruits and cinnamon made it visible and tasteable how complex Rémy Martin XO is. So the tasting was not just the end of the afternoon, but a small translation of the cognac in terms of smell, taste and atmosphere.
With Rémy Martin in the glass, soft piano music in the background and lively conversations, the afternoon ended in a relaxed atmosphere.
About the $OHO BANI x Rémy Martin collaboration: