By Jeff Kizzilah Digital Editor

Hennessy has unveiled the return of the Hennessy Cypher 2026, bringing together six exciting hip-hop voices from Africa and the United Kingdom in a cross-border musical collaboration produced by acclaimed Nigerian producer Sarz.

The 2026 Cypher features Tenor from Cameroon, Suspect 95 from Côte d’Ivoire, Yanga Chief from South Africa, Kwesi Arthur from Ghana, Kenya’s Fena Gitu, and British-Nigerian rapper Enny from the United Kingdom. Tenor makes history as the first artist from Cameroon to feature in the Hennessy Cypher.

The collaboration brings together distinct flows, lyrical traditions and musical identities while remaining firmly rooted in hip-hop. Through Sarz’s creative direction, the artists unite to showcase the diversity and evolution of contemporary African and UK hip-hop.

For Kenya, the spotlight falls on Fena Gitu, whose participation adds an East African voice to the continental collaboration. Fena described the experience as an honour, noting that working with artists from across Africa and the UK demonstrates how music can transcend borders and connect different cultures.

The 2026 edition continues Hennessy’s long-standing association with hip-hop and its commitment to supporting artists who are shaping contemporary culture. The brand says Hennessy has been referenced in more than 58,000 songs, underscoring its deep connection with music and creative communities.

First launched in Nigeria in 2011, the Hennessy Cypher has evolved into a platform for musical innovation and cultural storytelling, bringing together artists who represent the future of sound and giving them an opportunity to collaborate and showcase their identities on a global stage.

The Hennessy Cypher 2026 therefore represents more than a musical collaboration—it is a celebration of African excellence, cultural diversity, creative expression and the continuing evolution of hip-hop.

The Hennessy Cypher 2026 brings six voices together. One beat. Multiple cultures. One global hip-hop statement.