MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Hip-hop icon Ja Rule is bringing both beats and bourbon to Miami Beach as the South Beach Wine and Food Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The annual event draws some of the biggest names in entertainment to enjoy everything from gourmet burgers to craft cocktails.
This year, Ja Rule is among those taking part in the festivities.
Local 10’s Jason Carter caught up with the rapper on Thursday at Rayo’s inside the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, where they sampled his new whiskey and reflected on his decadeslong career.
Taking center stage at the Grand Tasting Village, Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, is marking nearly 30 years in hip-hop while expanding his footprint into the spirits industry.
“Yeah, man, this is the new sauce. Amber and Opal, we are in stores right now at Total Wines and in 100 ABC stores in Virginia alone, and we’re growing, man,” he said. “We’re growing slowly but surely.”
The whiskey, Amber & Opal, was co-founded with three of his close partners. The Maryland straight rye is infused with orange blossom honey, smoky black tea and botanicals designed to give it an elevated taste and body.
“Yeah, I mean, that’s, that’s. That’s part of it, man, and I like to garnish mine a little bit, you know,” the rapper said.
As he approaches his 50th birthday and prepares to welcome his first grandchild, the rapper-turned-entrepreneur said he is focused on longevity and the lasting impact of his music.
“I think the thing that I really look at now the most is the longevity of it all like. How the music is, is, you know, translating from generation to generation,” he said.
Ja Rule is set to perform this weekend on the Grand Tasting main stage as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.
Click here for more details about the event.
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