American rapper Nelly launches new moonshine brand

Grammy Award-winning rapper Nelly has announced the launch of moonshine brand MoShine, encouraging fans to “get the party started” with the new flavoured spirit.

Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., the Texas-born hip hop artist known by stage name Nelly, launched his new moonshine brand during WSWA’s Access Live event on 4 April 2023 in Orlando, Florida.

The Hot in Herre rapper took inspiration from his love of both hip hop and country music to make the new spirit. “I’m taking a country tradition and mixing it up for everyone to enjoy,” the rapper said of the launch.

The name MoShine gives a nod to his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri (MO), where Nelly moved as a teenager.

Moonshine is traditionally made as a clear, unaged whiskey. The spirit was historically made and distributed illegally, and the name was derived from a tradition of creating the alcohol at night in order to avoid detection.

MoShine, which takes inspiration from the southern tradition of making moonshine, is a triple-distilled, corn-based spirit. The new brand has been developed in collaboration with Piedmont Distillers, and comes in flavours peach and passion fruit.

The 60-proof moonshine has been designed to be able to drink as a shot and a long drink, pairing with mixers including lemon-lime soda, sweet tea, lemonade, and energy drinks, according to a press release put out by the brand.

“Where I come from, we work hard and play harder, and I want my fans to be able to reach for MoShine anytime they’re ready to get the party started,” Nelly said. The Dilemma rapper’s signature drink, named The Fix, is a mixture of Peach MoShine and Red Bull.

MoShine was first revealed at last week’s WSWA Access Live, where Nelly performed a set of his biggest chart-topping hits. The spirit is available in both 50ml and 750ml packaging, and is being rolled out across the US via DrinkMoShine.com.