Martell VS Afrobeats: Davido’s $35 Limited-Edition Cognac
French Cognac house Martell is celebrating the global influence of Afrobeats with a new limited-edition release that brings together two of Africa’s most recognizable creative talents. The Martell VS Afrobeats collection pairs Nigerian music superstar Davido with acclaimed Ghanaian visual artist Prince Gyasi, transforming the brand’s signature Cognac bottle into a vibrant tribute to African culture.
Unveiled on October 28 at Bathhouse Studios in New York City, the Martell VS Afrobeats collaboration celebrates the intersection of music, contemporary art and Martell’s centuries-old French heritage. With a suggested retail price of just $35, the limited-edition Martell VS bottle also makes the collection considerably more accessible than many celebrity-backed luxury spirits releases.
At the New York unveiling Davido and Gyasi came together to celebrate a partnership rooted in creative expression and the continued international rise of African music.
Davido And Prince Gyasi Bring Afrobeats to Martell
The collaboration builds on Davido’s five-year relationship with Martell, which has helped connect the historic Cognac house with a new generation of consumers across Africa and beyond. For this latest chapter, the brand enlisted Prince Gyasi to translate the energy and cultural significance of Afrobeats into a distinctive visual identity.
Known for his striking use of saturated colors, imaginative compositions and surreal imagery, Gyasi has established himself as one of contemporary photography’s most compelling creative voices. His artistic journey began with photographs captured on an iPhone, eventually leading to international recognition and a landmark assignment photographing the 2024 Pirelli Calendar. The project made him the first African photographer to shoot the prestigious calendar.
For Martell VS Afrobeats, Gyasi incorporated vibrant colors, expressive shapes and visual references to sound and movement. Davido’s portrait occupies a prominent position on the bottle’s label, surrounded by soundwave-inspired elements symbolizing the reach of Afrobeats across international borders.
Martell’s signature blue and rich gold accents anchor the composition, connecting the contemporary artwork with the house’s established visual identity. The resulting design reflects the energy of West African music while preserving the recognizable character of the Martell VS Afrobeats bottle.
The partnership also speaks to the growing cultural influence of African artists across fashion, photography, luxury goods and entertainment. Rather than treating Afrobeats simply as a musical genre, Martell is positioning the movement as a broader creative force with an increasingly global audience.
Inside the Martell VS Afrobeats Unveiling in NYC
The collaboration received its official New York celebration on October 28 at Bathhouse Studios, where Martell welcomed guests for an evening centered on music, art and cultural storytelling. The event brought Davido and Gyasi together for a conversation hosted by Martell Culture Ambassador Adesope Olajide, widely known as Shopsydoo. The discussion explored their respective creative journeys and the cultural influences shaping their work.
Music naturally played an important role in the celebration, with Davido joining DJ Ecool behind the decks as the evening continued. Flawless Crowns had a representative at the unveiling, providing an opportunity to document the launch through original event photography. The occasion offered a fitting introduction to a collection that draws its identity from the relationship between African music and visual art.
The New York gathering also reinforced Martell’s ambitions to connect its heritage with contemporary culture through partnerships that extend beyond traditional spirits marketing.
What’s Inside the $35 Martell VS Afrobeats Bottle?
While the artwork represents a dramatic departure from Martell’s traditional packaging, the U.S. release is built around the house’s established Martell VS Cognac expression. The limited edition is therefore primarily a celebration of design and cultural collaboration rather than the introduction of an entirely new Cognac blend.
Martell VS is known for its approachable, fruit-forward character and versatility in cocktails, making it an accessible entry point for consumers exploring the Cognac category. Its relatively affordable price also gives the Afrobeats collection appeal beyond dedicated spirits collectors.
The Martell VS Afrobeats limited-edition bottle carries a suggested retail price of $35 and is available through participating U.S. retailers while supplies last. Martell is also introducing a companion limited-edition XO expression for select African markets, including Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. The distinction is important: the U.S. collection centers on VS, while the XO release is intended for a different regional audience.
The collaboration extends beyond the bottle itself. Davido’s music video for “Already Falling” was filmed at Martell’s Château de Chanteloup in France, further connecting his creative world with the Cognac house’s history. For fans of Davido, the limited-edition bottle offers a collectible piece of the artist’s ongoing partnership with Martell. For Cognac enthusiasts, it provides a familiar expression wrapped in artwork from one of Africa’s most celebrated contemporary photographers.
Three Martell VS Cocktails to Try at Home
Although the limited-edition bottle makes a compelling display piece, Martell VS Afrobeats is also designed to be enjoyed. Its versatility lends itself to a variety of cocktails, from Champagne-based classics to refreshing fruit-forward serves. For anyone picking up the new release, these three recipes from Martell’s official cocktail collection offer different ways to experience the Cognac.
1. Martell French 75
A Cognac interpretation of the classic French 75, this sparkling cocktail combines citrus, sweetness and Champagne for a celebratory serve.
Ingredients:
- 1 part Martell VS Cognac
- ½ part simple syrup
- ½ part fresh lemon juice
- 3 parts chilled Champagne
Preparation: Add the Cognac, simple syrup and lemon juice to a shaker filled with ice. Shake thoroughly before straining into a Champagne flute or coupe. Top with chilled Champagne and finish with a lemon twist.
2. Martell Grape Smash
For something fruitier, the Martell Grape Smash combines Cognac with white grapes, raspberry syrup and apple juice. The result is a refreshing cocktail with layered fruit flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Martell VS Cognac
- 1 part raspberry syrup
- 3 parts apple juice
- ½ part fresh lemon juice
- 6 seedless white grapes
Preparation: Muddle the grapes in a cocktail shaker before adding the remaining ingredients and ice. Shake for approximately 12 seconds, then fine-strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with additional white grapes.
3. Martell Spritz
Martell’s take on the Spritz offers a lighter, wine-based alternative that highlights the Cognac without requiring an elaborate preparation.
Ingredients:
- 1 part Martell VS Cognac
- ¼ part simple syrup
- 4 parts Italian white wine
Preparation: Fill a wine glass with ice, add the Cognac, simple syrup and wine, then stir gently to combine. Finish with a garnish of your choice.
Each recipe provides a different way to enjoy the familiar Martell VS expression featured in the new Afrobeats collection.
Where to Find Martell VS Afrobeats
The Martell VS Afrobeats limited edition is available at participating retailers throughout the United States, with a suggested retail price of $35 while supplies last. Additional information about the collection can be found through Martell’s official website.
For Davido and Prince Gyasi, the collaboration represents another opportunity to bring African creativity to an international audience. For Martell, it connects more than 300 years of Cognac-making heritage with a musical and artistic movement that continues to influence global culture.
And at $35, the colorful limited-edition bottle offers an accessible way to own a small piece of that collaboration.
