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.