(AllHipHop News) West Coast Hip-Hop veteran/TV star Ice-T is expanding his business portfolio with a strategic partnership with Aiko Importers and Pay Up Management to promote and distribute a new line of liquor named Original Gangster XO Brandy. OG XO Brandy is produced in France and handcrafted in small batches, created with a blend from “exceptional vineyards” to ensure a distinctive flavor.Representatives for Aiko Importers reached out to Ice-T’s manager Mickey Bentson a year ago, who happened to be looking for an alcohol brand Ice-T could really get behind. “Ice-T sat down with me and I told him, ‘you have to see the presentation.’ He loved the taste and the bottle. At the direction of Ice-T, I also told them we didn’t want money, we wanted a partnership,” Ice-T’s manager Mickey Bentson told AllHipHop.com. “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,” added Bentson, who also owns Pay Up Records, a label that recently inked a major deal with Empire Distribution and signed artist Mr L.O.C. (Bay Area), Devon-P & TJ (UK) and Half Lip (PA). “Coco will end up with her drink as well, and I will end up with mine. We think long term. We are building other brands within this company,” Mickey Bentson told AllHipHop.com.OG XO Brandy, which was founded in 2004 near Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is currently available in select markets in the United States, including Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. By 2011, OG XO will be will be available in every market in the U.S., with a retail price of $22.99-$42.99. In related Ice-T news, the superstar actor/rapper has been added to the lineup of performers during a concert celebrating the Zulu Nation’s 37th anniversary in Harlem, New York at the Center for Hip-Hop Culture Center at Magic Johnson’s Theater.In addition to rappers like Ice, Sadat X, DJ Tony Touch and the Soul Sonic Force, Bentson is planning to introduce Half Lip, a new rock band on his Pay Up Records imprint. “If you wait long enough, something big will come along and Ice-T waited,” Mickey Bentson said. For more information on OG XO Brandy visit http://www.aikoimporters.com or http://www.payuptheblog.com.
