Wu-Tang Clan’s own Raekwon has scored another win.
In a press release announcement, it was revealed that the legendary rapper’s Lambrusco — which he calls “Licataa” — is now being distributed through Legacy Wines & Spirits, a Black-owned distribution company based in Kentucky.
The union between Raekwon and Legacy was, in fact, a natural one. Licataa was inspired by the “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx” rapper’s love of Italian culture and heritage. To bring the Lambrusco into the United States, the Chef (born Corey Woods) teamed up with Cantine Ceci, a family-owned winery with 80 years of history to produce a rich, bold, sparkling red wine.
Situated in the rolling hills outside Parma, Italy, Cantine Ceci farms in the traditional way, with vineyards planted to catch the sun, carefully monitored throughout the growing season before each grape is harvested by hand at the perfect moment of ripeness. While the wine, itself, is from Northern Italy, Licataa is named after the Licata region in Sicily.
Back in 2018, Raekwon said his wine was an “affordable luxury.”
“I knew that I was destined for something bigger than what it was. I just ain’t know when it was coming. I carried with me that same mentality as I grew into a man. A man who later became an artist, a hustler, an icon, and lastly, but not least, a Hip Hop legend. As my career continues to evolve becoming involved in the world of wine, this was something I felt was a perfect fit,” he said at the wine’s initial launch.
As for Legacy, their company — founded by childhood friends Kelvin Young and Djuan Ditto — is not only a pandemic success story, but a Black-owned success story. After finally getting the licensing for distributorship in February 2020, Legacy Wine and Spirits was ready to launch — right in the middle of the pandemic.
Their current portfolio includes an exciting array of labels such as the Black-owned whiskey brand Guidance, Black-owned bourbon Majesty, mango vodka, lime tequila, and black cherry bourbon by Local Choice, and rapper E-40’s line of Earl Stevens wines and spirits.
