Not only is Austin-based rap artist, vocalist, entrepreneur and songwriter Anastasia Hera making a huge splash in the music industry, she’s also making a tasteful splash in the beverage industry with her new exotic HERA Tropical Rum.

Anastasia Hera just recently celebrated the release of her new EP, This is Anastasia, which landed her a coveted #13 spot on the DRT R&B/ Hip Hop charts. She first discovered her passion for rap music as a young girl in Austin where her father taught her to deliver Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech with a rhythm and clarity designed to get an audience on its feet. 

Hera has a catalog of five well-received projects, several successful genre-bending collaborators, multiple “Best Female Artist” nods and recognition from powerhouse media outlets like Austin American-Statesman, CBS and Grammy.com just to name a few. The Texas native has defined her own niche within contemporary music; principles of beauty, truth, freedom, and love are recurring themes in her music. 

Hera was exposed to all types of creativity and forms of expression growing up in Austin. From visual arts to music and spoken word, she was always encouraged to branch out and try new things. Even today, she’s still answering the challenge to grow and think outside the box, hence the successful launch of HERA Tropical Rum, a new Black-owned, women-owned liquor brand that’s making a big splash in the beverage industry.

We caught up with Hera to talk more about her new exotic rum and how it reflects her artistic abilities. 

How would you describe the flavor of HERA Tropical Rum?

It has a smooth, exotic flavor. There are notes of coconut and banana, but when we had folks taste it blind, they also picked up hints of pineapple and vanilla. I call it a tropical rum because the tropical influence is undeniable. Though, as with any piece of art, the taster will draw his/her own conclusions about the flavors. 

How does this product reflect your artistry? 

Simply as an extension of my artistic core. I’ll explore most any type of creative pursuit, as long as I can make it art. When I was presented with this opportunity to step into the beverage industry, the most important factor for me was how to incorporate it into the overall brand I’ve built for myself over the years. People know my music to be artful, expressive and genuine, so any product under the HERA umbrella will reflect those same values. 

What sets HERA Tropical Rum apart from other rums? 

A couple of things. Firstly, the unique flavor combination, coconut and banana, is a pleasant departure from the norm. Secondly, the mechanism and production of HERA is its own story. My partner, “Pixie” Paula Dezzutti, has built her own distillery and several major brands over the years. She was looking for an artist to bring a new product to market, preferably a woman artist who could match her positive energy and commitment to empowering women in our respective industries. So HERA was born of that partnership, and I think that background will set us apart. 

Where do you see your rum five years from now?

In the coming years, I see it expanding to a global reach. I see us adding several other well-crafted flavors to the line. I also envision tasting rooms in several cities where we are able to not only showcase HERA Rum, but also to support other local brands by providing a platform for them.  

What else can we expect from Anastasia Hera?

Music will always remain my first love. But getting into the beverage industry has enabled me to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined – professionally and artistically. I’m now in the process of creating a marketing campaign to accompany HERA Tropical Rum. I’m creating a full musical experience around the brand. So when you pick up a bottle of HERA, you’ll also have an amazing soundtrack with which to enjoy it!

Cover photo courtesy HERA Tropical Rum

Leean Vargas is editor of  The Highlight Reel, Texas Lifestyle Magazine’s newsletter and an honors graduate ofTexas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.