The Martell Afrobeats Limited Edition XO brings together Nigerian music star Davido and Ghanaian visual artist Prince Gyasi in a collaboration that celebrates the international influence of African music and contemporary art.
Maison Martell unveiled the limited-edition cognac collection in New York on October 28, ahead of its Nigerian launch on November 6. The project combines Davido’s influence in Afrobeats with Prince Gyasi’s distinctive visual style, placing African creativity at the centre of the bottle’s design and presentation.
At the heart of the collection is an original artwork by Prince Gyasi, featuring Davido. Known for his bold use of colour and imaginative compositions, the Ghanaian artist has created a design that appears on both the limited-edition bottle and its presentation box.
The artwork takes inspiration from West African landscapes, combining Martell’s signature blue with shades of amber and gold. The blue represents the movement of the ocean, while the warmer tones draw on the colours of golden sands and African sunsets. Gyasi reinterprets these elements through his hyper-surreal artistic style, creating a visual composition intended to reflect the rhythm, movement and energy of Afrobeats.
For Gyasi, the project also carries a personal connection to his upbringing in Ghana, where music played an important role in bringing people together. He sees Afrobeats as more than a musical genre, pointing to its ability to create connections across communities and cultures.
“Growing up in Ghana, I’ve seen firsthand how music brings people together, sparking connection, celebration, and pure joy. As Davido says, ‘We rise by lifting others,’ a reminder that music builds community and lifts us all. I feel a deep pride in Afrobeats, its incredible journey, and the mark it’s making on global music,” Gyasi said.
He also explained how the landscapes and colours of West Africa influenced his approach to the design, particularly the combination of Martell blue with golden and amber tones.
The collaboration builds on Martell’s five-year relationship with Davido, whose career has developed alongside Afrobeats’ growing international presence. Bringing Gyasi into the project adds a visual arts dimension, connecting two creative fields that have played an important role in how contemporary African culture is represented internationally.
Davido described the partnership as an opportunity to continue contributing to the global visibility of African culture. Through his music and Gyasi’s artwork, the project brings together different forms of creative expression around a shared cultural influence.
The collaboration also extends beyond the bottle. The limited-edition XO features in Davido’s music video for “Already Falling”, which was filmed at Château de Chanteloup, Martell’s historic estate in Cognac, France. The appearance connects the collection to the setting and heritage of the French cognac house while maintaining its focus on contemporary African creativity.
The Nigerian launch on November 6 will be marked by an intimate dinner attended by Davido and Prince Gyasi, giving invited guests an opportunity to experience the collection and the creative collaboration behind it.
Founded in 1715 by Jean Martell, Maison Martell is the oldest of the major cognac houses. Its history is closely associated with the production of cognac, including the Martell XO, one of its established prestige expressions. The new limited edition places that heritage alongside a contemporary cultural project shaped by African music and visual art.
For Afrobeats, which has expanded its reach well beyond West Africa, collaborations of this kind also reflect the genre’s growing influence outside the music industry. Its presence in fashion, visual arts and international brand partnerships shows how African creative expression is increasingly finding space in different cultural and commercial settings.
The Martell Afrobeats Limited Edition XO brings Davido’s music career and Prince Gyasi’s artistic perspective into one project, using a cognac collection as the platform for a wider celebration of African creativity.
