Ghanaian visual artist Prince Gyasi has designed a pair of limited-edition Martell cognac bottles celebrating Afrobeats, with Davido’s portrait on the front, in a collection the French cognac house launched in New York this week.
Martell announced the launch on Thursday, 29 October, in a post on X, saying it was joining Davido and Prince Gyasi to “unveil two limited-edition bottles celebrating the global rise of Afrobeats and the creativity, optimism and cultural pride driving its influence worldwide.”
According to Billboard, the collection includes a Martell VS bottle and an XO limited edition, both designed in collaboration with Davido and Gyasi, who has also stepped into a new role as Martell Creative Partner. AfroTech reports that the VS bottle is on sale in the US for $35, while the XO version will be released separately in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.
The design is inspired by soundwaves and the African landscape, with an original illustrated portrait of Davido front and centre. Martell says Gyasi interpreted the movement and energy of Afrobeats and the landscapes of West Africa while keeping the brand’s signature blue and gold.
“When I hear music, I experience it visually,” Gyasi said in a statement quoted by Billboard. “With these designs, I wanted to capture the feeling of Afrobeats – the movement, the joy, the confidence and the way it connects people across the world.”
Davido, who has partnered with Martell for five years, said: “It’s been a blessing to help push the sound of Afrobeats to the world.” He added that “bringing Prince into the mix to connect the music with his creative vision took it to a new level.”
It is another big-brand moment for the Accra-born artist, who built his career shooting on an iPhone. AfroTech notes that Apple has worked with him several times, and his images were printed on clothing and accessories for Balmain’s Autumn/Winter 2024 menswear collection.
At the New York launch, Davido and Gyasi held a fireside chat before Davido joined Nigerian DJ Ecool on the decks. Davido also shot the video for his latest single, Already Falling, at Martell’s estate in Cognac, France, with the bottles featured.
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