Ballantine’s Scotch Whiskey partners with Black Motion

For Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky, staying true has meant that is has become one of the world’s most awarded and widely enjoyed whiskies. For Thabo Mabogwane and Bongani Mohosana, it has meant success as the award-winning music duo, Black Motion.

Staying true also means partnering with those who share your values – and Ballantine’s is excited to announce a new partnership with Black Motion that will bring to life their shared values of authenticity, self-belief and the pursuit of uncompromising success.

“Ballantine’s is about authenticity, flair, self-belief and inspiring people to have the conviction to stay true,” says Daryl Dixon, Ballantine’s South Africa brand manager. “We saw these same traits in Mabogwane and Mohosana through their music and how they achieve success. They have worked incredibly hard to get where they are, and have stayed true to their sound all the way. Their values fit perfectly with Ballantine’s ethos of uncovering, showcasing and supporting authentic musical talent.”

Ballantine’s credentials as the number one Scotch whisky in Europe and the world’s number two Scotch whisky by volume having long been established, and reaffirmed with every serve. The brand’s music credentials have been growing year on year. Ballantine’s has been staying true to its support of local music and exceptional talent through its previous partnership with world-renowned artist Black Coffee, and its hosting of Boiler Room Stay True South Africa in March 2015 and again this year. International DJ’s Henrik Schwarz, Move D and Fred P performed, supported by Julian Gomes, Kid Fonque, Jazzuelle and Fosta.

“The music leads first. It’s not about celebrity,” says Mabogwane. “When the sound changes, we don’t follow. We keep on doing our music our way and pushing it. We want to be taken seriously as artists, and staying true to our sound and our art is key to that.” The duo is known for creating unusual sounds in their music and on stage they mix traditional instruments like African and Latin drums with modern DJ decks. Most recently Black Motion have been nominated for a Wawela Music Awards (Best Duo or Group) and a South African of the Year (SATY) Award (Music Artist of the Year).

This partnership will see a year-long collaboration between Ballantine’s and Black Motion, that kicks off with a campaign this September across television, radio, print and online.

For more information, visit www.ballantines.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Twitter or ON Instagram.