Chef Henny, the unorthodox culinary dignitary with a refined twist on modern day high-quality brandy consumption, is far more than a social-media farce – he’s an innovative marketing polymath.
“If it ain’t brown, don’t bring it around” is one of Harvey J’s more widely-known mantra’s or referenced quotes, but in actuality this excerpt is more so a way of life.
The ‘Chef Henny’ moniker appears to be an authoritative figure that has not only taken the internet by storm but has also garnered global appeal in transcending the extent of utilization behind a fixated alcoholic beverage.
“It’s people out here that got millions of dollars, billions of dollars that they can donate, more money than me, donate more blood than me, but ain’t nobody donating more Hennessy in these streets…and that’s a fact.”
Whether it’s Dej Loaf’s sensual utterances in ‘Me U & Hennessy’ or Hip-Hop icon Nas’ Wild Rabbit ad campaign – there’s no room for confusion behind Hennessy’s relevance in African-American culture. Chef Henny’s expressive appreciation for all things Henny-related has enabled the North Carolinian creative to typify divergence amongst like-minded influences.
In route of his statewide ‘Henny Drive’ we had the opportunity to house a dialogue with Harvey J to talk about his upbringing in NC, passion for Hennessy and Fenty Entertainment.
Who exactly is Chef Henny?
I’m just a guy man.
Just a guy with a dream.
Yeah yeah, I be dreaming sometimes.
Out of all the different spirits and alcoholic beverages, what made you chose Hennessy?
Well, Hennessy isn’t an alcoholic beverage.
Hennessy is its own…form, but I chose Hennessy because if it ain’t brown don’t bring it around and it’s the right thing to do.
I see you’re from North Carolina, a Durham native if I’m not mistaken?
Correct.
What was it like growing up in the ‘Bull City’?
Lowest graduation rate in the state. Southern high school…um, shit. It was either you in a gang or you against the gang, but either way you fighting somebody.
In this case you’re probably fighting hangovers, Hennessy is one hell of a distilled liquor – well, a very special cognac
Nah, I don’t get hangovers.
You don’t?
I never get hangovers.
Man, do we got (searches around sprinter van for implied larger Henny bottle) – DoHigh, you know where that bottle is that we had in here? The one that was cracked. It’s somewhere in one of these drawers.
Am I allowed to give you Hennessy as an interviewer?
That ain’t no problem, I mean… we lit right?
WE LIT!
I don’t mean to shift focus too much, but from my understanding you’re one of the first entertainers to be signed to Rihanna’s Fenty Entertainment?
Right.
Talk to me about that, was that your “wow” moment or what exactly does that business endeavor entail for you?
It was her father that discovered me and he introduced me to her (Rihanna) – Introduced the music and all of that stuff, they really liked what I had going on, but as far as their family situation I just try to not speak on it and let them handle their business until it’s resolved.
I know they got court in June of next year, 2020.
After that I’ll be able to talk more about their situation and what not.
People often reference to Beyoncé as the celebrity’s favorite celebrity – Me personally, I hold Rihanna to that same regard. With that in mind, what’s the best advice Rihanna has given you personally?
Ri is better than Beyoncé, that’s a known fact.
I would probably say, whenever muhfuckers like…book you for something, or want you to do a service or anything where it involves your creativity, your mentality, your mindset or your physical body, whatever they need you for – she always told me through her music that “that bitch better have my money”.
So, when it come to that I’m a always have it, I’ll always want it, I’ll always get it.
What exactly is the concept behind the ‘Henny Drive’?
Basically, I want to give back to the people in a way that makes more sense to me, in the most original way that I can.
It’s people out here that got millions of dollars, billions of dollars that they can donate, more money than me, donate more blood than me, but ain’t nobody donating more Hennessy in these streets…and that’s a fact.
What inspired the ‘Hennything is possible’ mantra? That’s relatively catchy
It was originally just like a merch item and then Fashionova tried to steal it, Macy’s tried to steal it, all these people started selling Ebay knock-offs of it, but it’s still a good piece that brings the culture together like the other slogans; “Hennything can happen”, “Hennything goes”.
It’s just a mentality, a mindset that shared by millions.
So it’s pretty much a way of life?
It’s a way of life, check out the #Hennythingispossible hashtag on Instagram.
Legend has it, there is a Henny water-cooler at the Henny House – is that accurate?
It’s not accurate, I moved it. It’s at the other house now.
Wait, so there’s more than one Henny House?
Damn, I said too much.
I should sell the Henny cooler huh.
People ask me about that shit.
I’ve done my research and from my understanding it takes roughly eight bottles to fill it up completely.
Yeah, but not regular bottles. It takes eight of the 1.75L, the big boys.
How does one go about gaining admittance to the Henny House, is it invite only or what exactly are the stipulations?
Oh, it’s just invite-only but you can go to HennyHouse.com and put in a reservation request. Whether it’s a birthday party or something like a wedding reception or unless you want to just come show some love and just drink Henny with us, that’s always welcomed.
Just got to put in a reservation request on the site.
What has been the most rewarding aspect about your journey thus far?
I would probably say the one time I went to Miami and got free Hennessy from the store. I love Miami so much, that’s the only place in this world that I’ll pay $50 for a 1/5, in Miami Beach.
I walked in there and can you believe they gave me a free bottle.
I’ve gotten way more free bottles that that but that was like the first biggest point for me where I was like “Damn”.
I was so happy I took the $50 dollars and bought another bottle with it.
Photo Credit – Tim Carver
