Clever! Brands Named After Songs By Black Musicians

September 22, 2026 4

Two men wearing baseball caps and sunglasses, one in a white jacket and the other in a red "Rock the Bells" shirt. Cans of "Gin & Juice" by Dre and Snoop on display. — Astrida Valigorsky / Johnny Nunez / Phillip Faraone / Getty

Music might truly be the gift that keeps on giving. Not only can it provide a sonically pleasing melody for the ears, our favorite songs could also spark the idea for your next big business venture.

The combined genius minds of Pusha T of hip-hop duo Clipse and rap mogul Pharrell Williams came up with quite a catchy business model recently with the launch of their joint coffee company, GRINDIN, a name lifted from the group’s Neptunes-produced 2002 hit single.

Focusing on dark roast and medium roast blends, GRINDIN boasts a tagline of “innovation meets craftsmanship” and offers a range of flavors sourced from around the world. The dark roast combines cocoa, caramel, brown spices and lightwood found from Central and South America all the way to South East Asia. The medium roast comes exclusive from South America in its blend of bittersweet chocolate, caramel and roasted hazelnut. “Legend in two games like I’m Pee Wee Kirkland,” Pusha once rapped on the song that inspired the brand, and who knew his lyrics would be coming to fruition decades later.

Of course, they wouldn’t be the first to make a profit on such a creative play on words. Using a song-inspired business name can really establish a sense of familiarity with customers while also bringing in those familiar with the reference. Whether honoring the song’s cultural impact or just giving the business some cool points, it’s an easy choice for any entrepreneur with a good sense of music knowledge. When used thoughtfully (and legally!), inspiration from songs by Black musicians especially can create business names that are memorable, meaningful and connected to a rich musical tradition.