The Wine and Hip Hop podcast - How Jermaine Stone (The Real Wolf of Wine) Blends Hip Hop and Fine Wine
Jermaine Stone, affectionately known as "The Real Wolf of Wine," has created a truly unique space where two powerful cultures—wine and hip-hop—collide. Through his Wine and Hip Hop podcast, Jermaine set out to showcase the appreciation the hip-hop community has for fine wine, and conversely, the admiration that wine culture holds for the creative, artistic side of hip-hop. This intersection, while unconventional, highlights the rich cultures behind both worlds.
Wine and Hip Hop podcast logo and cover - property of Jermaine Stone
Building the Wine and Hip Hop Brand
Jermaine’s concept of blending wine and hip-hop wasn’t just an entertaining idea—it was a strategic move. The podcast became a vehicle for building his brand as a wine consultant, advising private collectors and large wine conglomerates. It also helped promote his business, Cru Luv Selections, a wine branding and marketing firm. The podcast is a masterclass in how authenticity and passion can drive business success.
Over the past five years, Wine and Hip Hop has amassed more than 100 episodes, sharing the intricacies of wine with an audience often overlooked by traditional wine marketing: lovers of hip-hop culture.
Creating Community and Expanding the Experience
One of the key lessons from Jermaine’s journey is how he expanded the podcast beyond just audio content, transforming it into a community-building platform. He launched the Wine and Hip Hop Festival, where people from both worlds could gather to enjoy wine and hip-hop, creating a shared space for collaboration. He also hosts listening sessions, allowing people to experience curated music while tasting hand-selected wines—a perfect fusion of both cultures.
Lessons for Podcasters and Creators
Jermaine's story offers valuable lessons for podcasters and content creators:
Take Your Podcast Beyond Audio: Jermaine extends his podcast by hosting festivals and live events, offering listeners a chance to experience the content in person. These events not only deepen engagement with his existing audience but also attract new listeners who may discover the podcast through the event itself. By creating these immersive, real-world experiences, Jermaine fosters stronger connections within his community, making his content more accessible and interactive. It's a powerful way to blend entertainment with brand growth and community building.
Consistency is Key: Like anything worth pursuing, the success of the Wine and Hip Hop podcast didn’t happen overnight. With over 100 episodes over 5 years, Jermaine’s success is a testament to the power of consistency and the long-term investment required to make a podcast impactful. Consistency is key in building any brand.
Leverage Your Unique Story: Jermaine’s success comes from recognizing the unique intersection between his passion for hip-hop and his experience in the wine industry. His Caribbean roots and love for music helped him fill a gap in the wine world, proving that your distinct background can be your strongest asset.
Expand Your Brand: Jermaine didn’t stop at podcasting. Beyond the podcast, he has created merchandise, launched a new show on Tastemade TV called Street Somm, and is preparing to release his upcoming book Wine Barz, which teaches wine appreciation through hip-hop rhymes. These ventures further expand the ways in which Stone engages with his audience and monetizes his brand.
Align Your Podcast with Your Goals: Jermaine's decision to create a podcast focused on wine, rather than just any of his other interests like hip-hop, was intentional. He wanted to grow his wine consulting business and used the podcast as a platform to align with his business goals. By choosing a relevant topic, he ensured that every episode not only entertained but also advanced his brand and expertise in the wine industry.
Jermaine Stone’s journey exemplifies how to turn your passion into a platform, blending culture, business, and authenticity into a movement. Whether through his podcast, festivals, or upcoming book, Jermaine continues to pave the way for new voices in the wine industry—one bottle and one beat at a time.