Remembering the Time Jay Z Released an Arnold Palmer Knockoff Called "40/40"

Arnold Palmer left behind more than a tremendous golf legacy—he left behind a drink. A drink Jay Z tried to steal.

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Complex Original

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Yesterday, the sports world lost a giant when Arnold Palmer, one of the greatest golfers of all-time and a lifelong ambassador of the game, passed away at the age of 87. Palmer's 62 PGA Tour victories and "The King" nickname should tell you all you need to know about his legacy on the links, but perhaps Palmer's biggest contribution to pop culture had little to do with his dominance of the sport of golf and everything to do with a delicious and refreshing drink concoction. 

The Arnold Palmer drink, a mixture of iced tea and lemonade that Palmer invented and popularized in the '60s, still lives on today. There's the homemade version that's enjoyed on the course and the alcoholic version (the John Daly) that's enjoyed in the clubhouse, but the Arnold Palmer also lives on in pre-packaged form thanks to the likes of Arizona's officially licensed "Arnold Palmer" giant sugary tallboy and the "Half & Half" by Nantucket Nectars.

What you may not remember is the version that Jay Z was behind. Dubbed "40/40" after his club, Jigga's Arnold Palmer knockoff debut in 2014 and was meant "to disrupt the consumer packaged goods industry." 

The drink company was called Go N’Syde​, was backed by Def Jam honcho Kevin Liles, and allowed consumers to unlock augmented reality videos of Jay Z (or Mariah Carey if you purchased the "Butterfly" flavor) through their smartphones. Where else could you get a week's worth of sugar and an inspirational message from a Jay Z hologram?


While we're unsure whether or not the beverage succeeded in disrupting any industries, it without a doubt made its way to Walgreens and Duane Reade stores nationwide and at least a few clearance sections. 

Hey, not every business venture is going to be Roc Nation or D'Ussé. 

Arnie may have invented and popularized the Arnold Palmer drink, but Jay Z and his business partners perfected it. And by "perfected" we mean ruined the sanctity of lemonade and iced tea with shameless virtual reality bottle branding.

Rest in Peace, King.

 

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