Around '06, because of their perceived racism, Jay-Z stopped poplin' Cristal and instead began riding for the brand Armand de Brignac, or Ace of Spades. Soon all of hip hop was buying Ace of Spades in abundance whenever they felt like some champagne. Now, it seems Hov's penchant for the high end champagne may not be from pure enjoyment. In a new piece printed in "The Atlantic", the magazine digs deep into Jay's association with Armand de Brignac and attempts to reveal how much loot Jay has been piling up from this venture.

Apparently, Jay makes millions of dollars per year from his relationship with Armand de Brignac, which is in turn a result of his stake in Sovereign Brands. Hov has received equity in Sovereign Brands equaling around $50 million. Damn.

However, not everyone is convinced of Ace of Spade's reputation for high quality champagne. The Atlantic noted, "Jay-Z may tout Armand de Brignac in his songs and videos, but to some champagne industry veterans, it's at best a mediocre product masquerading as a high-end delicacy. 'It tastes like s**t', said Lyle Fass, an independent wine buyer in New York. 'At least Cristal tastes good.'"

Source: complex.com