One of hip-hop's original gangsters -- yea, Ice-T -- is hopping into the alcohol industry, as he gears up for the upcoming release of his own brand of XO Brandy, dubbed "Original Gangster."
Ice has formed a partnership with Aiko Importers and Pay Up Management to promote and distribute his upcoming OF XO Brandy, which is produced in France and handcrafted in small batches, created with a blend from "exceptional vineyards" to ensure a distinctive flavor.
According to an AllHipHop.com report, Aiko contacted Ice-T's manager Mickey Bentson a year ago, who happened to be looking for an alcohol brand Ice-T could get behind ... and their partnership began.
"Ice-T sat down with me and I told him, 'You have to see the presentation.' He loved the taste and the bottle," Bentson told the website. "At the direction of Ice-T, I also told them we didn't want money, we wanted a partnership.
"Ice decided it would be best to have partnership in the business, so we can build other brands. The bottles are great and the liquor is fantastic," he continued.
As a part of the deal, Ice's wife Coco will get her own drink, as well as Bentson himself.
"We think long term. We are building other brands within this company," Bentson told AHH.
OG XO Brandy is currently available in select markets domestically, including Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. The plan is to have it available across the country by 2011.
The bottle retails from $22.99 to $42.99.
