For over a decade, Hennessy has cemented itself as one of the foremost flagbearers of hip-hop in Nigeria and, by extension, Africa. Since 2010, the brand has maintained an influential presence in the Nigerian hip-hop scene, creating platforms that celebrate rap culture and showcase Nigeria’s rich talent pool through the iconic Hennessy Cyphers and the Hennessy VS Class.
The Hennessy VS Class has introduced audiences to rappers like Blaqbonez, Vader the Wildcard, Phlow, Barrylanes, Holyfield, Pdstrn, Barelyanyhook, Gochi, Alaye Proof, and Erenna Blaq, to mention a few.
Over the years, the Hennessy Cyphers have become a highly anticipated event, exciting the hip-hop scene with a showcase of Nigeria’s finest lyricists, both established and emerging. With memorable editions like Hennessy 2016, Hennessy 2020 Cypher 2, and Hennessy Cypher Africa, the brand has consistently delivered platforms for Africa’s best rappers to shine.
Given that history, expectations are always through the roof whenever a new Hennessy Cypher drops. The 2025 edition is no exception. With a lineup that features Blaqbonez, Ms Banks, Joey B, Jaivah, and Kenyan star Femi One, and with South African hitmaker Kabza De Small producing, on paper it looks like an all-star gathering. But listening to the final product leaves you with one glaring realization: this is not a rap cypher
What Makes a Cypher a Cypher?
Traditionally, cyphers grew out of the streets. They were freestyle sessions where rappers went bar for bar in an epic display of lyrical dexterity and flow schemes. Cyphers are usually festivals of bars and punchlines, and with every rapper involved coming with one intention: to outrap the competition. Cyphers are not about commercial appeal or making people dance; they are about skill and proving you could hold your own when it was your turn to spit.
Even though cyphers have become more structured with platforms like BET and Hennessy popularizing them and making them mainstream spectacles, cyphers are about rap first.
My Problem with Hennessy’s 2025 Cypher
The latest Hennessy Cypher, however, shifts away from these ethos. Produced by Kabza De Small, the beat leans into Amapiano, a genre crafted to make people groove and move. It’s the kind of production designed to get people lit on the dance floor, not to test rappers’ lyrical dexterity. As a result, this feels nothing like a rap cypher.
This is not to cast aspersions on the rappers involved. Blaqbonez, Ms Banks, Femi One, Jaivah, and Joey B in particular bring energy and presence to their verses. But the record lacks the hunger and competitive edge that make a cypher truly exciting. Instead of feeling like a lyrical sparring session, the record feels like a club single packaged under the guise of “cypher.”
With this edition, Hennessy seems to be chasing commercial appeal, completely missing the point of a cypher, which is a celebration of rap in its purest form. A cypher is not supposed to make you dance; it’s supposed to make you listen.
Cyphers are about bars, wordplay, metaphors, and flows, not about streaming numbers, Apple Music charts, or radio airplay. Sure, casual listeners might vibe with it (Kwality Kontent’s creative director Stephanie couldn’t stop raving about it yesterday) but for hip-hop lovers, it belongs in the trash can.
Regardless, Hennessy has contributed so much to hip-hop in Africa, and that should be acknowledged. But if the cypher is to maintain its cultural value, it must stay true to what makes a cypher a cypher.
