Draft:Lyrical Lemonade

Lyrical Lemonade

Industry	Media
Founded	2013
Founder	Cole Bennett
Headquarters	Chicago, IL
Key people	Cole Bennett
Brands	Drink Lyrical, Summer Smash
Number of employees	10+
Website	lyricallemonade.com

Lyrical Lemonade

Lyrical Lemonade is a multimedia company specializing in music videos, live events, exclusive content, and merchandise. Lyrical Lemonade operates a yearly music festival (Summer Smash) and released an album (All is Yellow) in January 2024. Lyrical Lemonade has had partnerships with brands like Jordan, Kelloggs, and The Minions Franchise.

History

Lyrical Lemonade was created in 2014 by Cole Bennett. Initially starting out as a music blog, he eventually used the brand to branch out into directing music videos for some of the music industry’s biggest artists, like Juice WRLD, Eminem, Lil Yachty and Jack Harlow. Lyrical Lemonade eventually grew to become a well established brand outside of the music video space, inserting itself as a heavyweight in the beverage and merchandising space.

Key Projects

All is Yellow

The album was preceded by five singles, including the lead single "Doomsday". The track sees collaborators Juice Wrld and Cordae rapping over a Cole Bennett- and Max Lord-produced beat, which features a sample of Eminem's "Role Model" from his own debut album The Slim Shady LP (1999). "Doomsday" peaked at 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 19 on the company's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Drink Lyrical Beverage

Lyrical Lemonade Beverage was first introduced in 2019 as a limited release. Initially launched as a unique promotional product (need ref), the beverage quickly garnered attention for its vibrant branding and connection to the music industry, becoming a cult favorite among fans. The success of the initial release laid the groundwork for a larger full-scale launch in 2024. This collaboration marked a significant milestone, making Lyrical Lemonade Beverage widely available across the United States, and solidifying its place as a staple in the market of youth-oriented, lifestyle beverages.

Summer Smash Festival

The Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash Festival, created by Lyrical Lemonade in association with SPKRBX, is a yearly festival hosted in Chicago. Launched in 2018, the festival quickly gained a reputation for its electrifying performances and unique blend of established and up-and-coming artists. Over the years, it has grown exponentially, attracting tens of thousands of attendees each summer

Brand Partnerships

Lyrical has brand partnerships across multiple industries and product categories.

Sports

One of the standout collaborations was with the Chicago Cubs. In 2024, Lyrical Lemonade teamed up with the Cubs to release a limited-edition line of merchandise that combined the iconic Cubs branding with Lyrical Lemonade’s vibrant aesthetic. This partnership celebrated the shared Chicago roots of both brands and connected the music and sports communities in a unique way. The collaboration included co-branded apparel and accessories, which quickly became sought-after items among fans of both the Cubs and Lyrical Lemonade.

In addition to the Cubs, Lyrical Lemonade has also partnered with the Chicago Bulls. This partnership, which launched in 2022, featured a special Lyrical Lemonade night at the United Center, where fans could purchase exclusive Bulls x Lyrical Lemonade merchandise. The collaboration also included digital content that blended the worlds of basketball and music, highlighting Chicago’s rich cultural landscape. In addition to the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bulls, Lyrical Lemonade has also collaborated with the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox on similar projects.

Food

In 2021, LL joined forces with Pop-Tarts to create a limited-edition Pop-Tarts flavor inspired by Lyrical Lemonade’s signature style. This collaboration featured exclusive packaging designed by Lyrical Lemonade, incorporating the brand’s vibrant colors and creative flair. The partnership extended beyond just the product, with Lyrical Lemonade curating a series of music-themed promotional events and digital content that resonated with their fanbase. The Lyrical Lemonade x Pop-Tarts collaboration was a hit, blending the world of music and snacks in a way that was both fun and culturally relevant. This partnership highlighted Lyrical Lemonade’s versatility and its ability to seamlessly integrate into different lifestyle sectors while maintaining its unique brand identity.

Animation

In 2024, Lyrical Lemonade collaborated with Illumination to create a series of animated music videos for the Despicable Me 4 movie. This partnership allowed Lyrical Lemonade to tap into Illuminations expertise in animation, bringing its distinctive visual style to life in new and innovative ways. The collaboration featured popular artists and was accompanied by exclusive behind-the-scenes content, further engaging fans. Additionally, Lyrical Lemonade has worked with other major multimedia companies, including collaborations that involve exclusive content drops, branded merchandise, and cross-promotional campaigns. These partnerships have helped Lyrical Lemonade expand its reach beyond music, establishing itself as a key player in the broader entertainment industry while continuing to push the boundaries of visual and cultural creativity.