AKA launches 'ground-breaking' deal with Cruz Vodka

Last night, rapper-turned-businessman, Kiernan Forbes hosted an intimate crowd in his favourite place, Bryanston, for the launch of his first signature flavour as Cruz Vodka brand ambassador. 

You may have seen him promoting the new Cruz Vodka Watermelon flavour all up and down social media over the past few weeks and last night we got our first taste of the fruits of his labour in what he and his team repeatedly referred to as a "ground-breaking-deal."

According to the rapper, the deal has been two years in the making - meaning the team pretty much set all this in motion the minute he signed the deal with Cruz back in 2016. 

Managing director of Pernod Ricard SA, David De Mardt, (who owns Cruz, among a variety of liquor brands such as Jameson, Martell and Olmeca) was visibly excited about the move which will see AKA earn royalties on a per-bottle-sold basis as opposed to getting a lump sum for the deal - as has been the case with most celebrity endorsement deals. 

De Mardt also spoke about how AKA took charge of the process from the very beginning, in an effort to ensure that his vision was executed the way he wanted it to be. According to De Mardt, AKA only compromised on a few details when it was absolutely necessary. 

Cruz Watermelon is a good product. We were served a variety of cocktails with a mix of flavour and the watermelon flavour remained prominent each time. AKA reiterated how you can enjoy the drink neat or with his recommended mix of soda-water and lemonade. The bottle will reportedly be sold for around R299.00 and will be available at most major liquor outlets. 

A number of other celebrities came out to show support including the likes of Da L.E.S, K Naomi, Nomzamo Mbatha and Pearl Thusi, to name a few. 

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Main image credit: instagram.com/akaworldwide