This week, Pharrell and Pusha T launched Grindin Coffee. Named after arguable their most famous song together, the coffee is blended by Lavazza. The team at Grindin send Chauncey Jenkins a free sample to try. Here are his thoughts:

“Very balanced coffee with a sweet finish. Great daily drinking option.

The finish here is very long - still prevalent about 30 minutes after finishing the cup, but not a bitter finish the sweetness of the coffee slowly reveals itself. Lots of dark chocolate - like 70% cacao notes here - so a touch of that known bitterness of cacao then the subtle notes of berry (a little underripe blueberry, dried apricot feel on the palate) you get from intense dark chocolate.

There's a distinct and pronounced nuttiness that persists, I feel you get the nutty notes before the chocolate and think you need to let the coffee cool a bit to get more of the pronounced chocolate. It's like toasted macadamia and hazelnut covered a piece of 70% cacao.

I did this at 1:15 ratio in French press with a 30sec bloom. Water temp at 194 degrees Fahrenheit. 4 minute brew time. Gonna try it as pour over to test the difference! I'll be trying the dark roast soon!”

The Virginia Hip-Hop Foundation was proud to serve as a media partner for COSMIC ECHO LIVE, taking place at the historic Hippodrome Theatre on September 13, celebrating the life, music, and legacy of Richmond-born cosmic jazz icon Lonnie Liston Smith. The event featured live performances, stories from across his remarkable career, and a heavy-weight lineup of some of Richmond’s most accomplished musicians and artists!

The event was a great moment for Richmond and a great moment for HIP-HOP, celebrating the legend. Thank you to the Cosmic Echo Documentary team for having Co-Founder, Chauncey Jenkins, as a featured speaker during the program. It was our pleasure to be part of this historic moment. Can't wait for the final documentary to be released in 2027.

On August 22, 2026, we celebrated the One Year Anniversary of the Virginia Hip-Hop Foundation. DJs Hip-Hop Henry and J.Frvncis provided the soundtrack for the evening with songs only from Virginia Hip-Hop artists and producers. Thank you to everyone who came out to our one year party. Thank you to everyone who has supported us in our first year.

Photos by Ty Shot Me

In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, Virginia Hip-Hop Foundation hosted a Culture Talk discussing the history, impact, and influence of Asian Americans in Hip-Hop. Thank you to our guests; Joseph Patel, NOAH-O, Intalek, Cymandye Russell, Mundane, and MG. Thank you to our sponsor and partners; the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Dominion Energy, Asian American Society of Central Virginia, and Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce. Also special thanks to Mama Vicky’s Lumpia and Filipino Cuisine and Hip-Hop collector Chase Gozum.

Photos by D. Holloway Photography

Chauncey Jenkins had a great time hosting a whiskey tasting for fellow Cornellians for Cornell Black Alumni Association’s 50th Anniversary weekend. Big salute to Antonia Singleton for reaching out! We explored the history of different styles of whiskey and focused on some emerging black voices in the industry. We started the evening with Oaxacan Old Fashioneds featuring 3708 Spirits Reposado!!! Highlights of the tasting were Edmonds Honor Bourbon and Shinju Whisky - a black owned bourbon and black-owned Japanese whiskey. Toast to all who came out and congrats to CBAA on 50 years.

Great conversation discussing the experiences, influences, and impact of women in hip-hop. Thank you to our guests; The Lady of Rage, Mikki Spencer, Justice R., Farrah Fawx, June Jones and Dr. Kay Coghill. Thank you to our sponsors and partners; the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Mostly Sugar Media, and Dominion Energy.

Represented Chauncey Jenkins at a tasting event to celebrate Beyoncé’s Sir Davis Whiskey coming to Virginia.

Cameron George, Global Head of Advocacy and Whisky Blender for Sir Davis, gave us very dope and informative insights about the the brand and how it came to life.

Good meeting my guy JD Reid as well!

The Virginia Hip-Hop Foundation was honored to help facilitate opportunities for students to attend the Pep Rally and Opening Preview celebration for the “GIANTS” exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts that features pieces from The Dean Collection of Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz

Chauncey Jenkins had a great time with the Troutman Pepper team talking about the rebellions whiskey has fueled and its global influence on law and culture. We dove into a ton of history and tasted through the Glenfiddich Aston Martin 16yr, Angel’s Envy Port Barrel, Teeling Small Batch, Crown Royal XO, and Hibiki Harmony. We talked some do’s and don’ts - including how the nasal cycle can affect how your nostrils work throughout the day and why you don’t want to swirl whiskey too aggressively before you nose it. We also talked some general rules, myths, and lore. If something like this interests you or you know someone it might, feel free to reach out because I love doing it!