Some partnerships are strategic. Others are serendipitous. The collaboration between Kor and Grammy-winning artist Skip Martin is both. It started with a conversation at a festival booth and has now become a multi-layered celebration of music, purpose, and beautiful hydration. Today, we are proud to officially launch one of our biggest collaborations yet: the Skip Martin Collection, part of our ONE Canvas artist series.

From Santa Barbara to Amsterdam: A Journey of Connection

In early 2023, Kor's Team Lead, Annemie Fourie, was showcasing a Kor at FestForums in Santa Barbara – a conference for leaders and innovators in the festival industry. Among the curious attendees who stopped by the Kor booth was Skip Martin. At the time, Annemie didn’t recognize him as the legendary voice behind Kool & The Gang and other iconic musical acts. To her, he was simply a kind and curious soul, moved by the beauty and intention behind Kor’s mission.

"There’s actually a video clip of me showing Skip the collection for the very first time," she recalls. "He was just taken with the whole concept."

Skip meeting Annemie at the Kor booth at FestForums in 2023

Annemie watching Skip perform for the first time on a rooftop in Santa Barbara

Later that evening, Skip performed on a rooftop overlooking Santa Barbara – and it clicked. Annemie finally connected the dots between the artist and the music that had defined generations. That night sparked a friendship that has evolved over years and continents. Since then, Skip and Kor have worked on several smaller, private collections. But this release marks the first time the public can purchase a Skip Martin-designed Kor ONE.

More Than a Bottle: A Message in Every Sip

The Skip Martin Collection is the latest release in Kor's ONE Canvas series, a platform that allows artists to share their voice, literally and visually, on the Halo Trims™ of our iconic Kor ONE.

The first of many designs in the collection celebrates Skip’s latest track – a soulful reimagining of the cult classic Tom's Diner. Scan the Spotify code on the Halo Trim™, and you'll be transported directly into Skip's sonic world. The artwork on the trim features Skip himself, trumpet in hand, echoing the very melody that animates the song.

But this collection is more than aesthetic. It’s a movement. As Skip says, "Massive movements begin with an individual who is willing to step out." Through this partnership, we’re encouraging people to do just that: to take their first small step toward creativity, sustainability, and meaningful change.

Why Skip?

Skip Martin isn’t just a musician. He’s a changemaker. He’s collaborated with children’s cancer hospitals, written books that give back to causes he cares about, and used his voice – both musically and personally – to uplift and inspire. He lives the Kor values of beauty, impact, and purpose.

"He's a giver," Annemie says. "He calls me his sister. From the start, our connection was just real."

And the connection goes deeper than friendship. Skip and Annemie share values, faith, and a passion for leaving something meaningful behind. "He wants to be remembered for his music," Annemie says. "He decided as a child that he would make music people could still enjoy long after he’s gone."

Wisdom in the Water

As part of this evolving collaboration, we're exploring new ways to carry Skip’s timeless wisdom into everyday life – starting with our Halo Inners. These aren’t just decorative details, they’re vessels of meaning. With each sip, you’ll uncover quiet reminders like the belief that “music is the sound of a soul singing” or the gentle nudge that “big things start with small steps.” These quotes aren’t just motivational – they’re lived truths from a man whose journey continues to inspire. As Annemie puts it, “Every sip you take reveals more of the message.” And what a message it is.

Sustainability Is Beautiful

Skip Martin doesn’t just bring music into the world – he brings a mission. He believes in creating change that lasts, and one of his biggest causes is ending plastic waste. “This is not just about what’s at our Kor,” he says. “It’s about making KOR bottles the Kor that changes the world and extinguishes so much of this plastic waste.”

At Kor, we couldn’t agree more. We’ve always believed that sustainability must be irresistible – something you want to carry, not something you have to. As Annemie puts it, “Sustainability can only win if it’s truly beautiful. If you are naturally drawn to it, if you proudly want to carry it with you, then it becomes a habit – not a burden.”

Together, we’re challenging the disposable culture. The Skip Martin Collection is more than a celebration of music and art – it’s a tool for habit change. A beautiful, functional reminder to fill up before you head out the door, to make water as essential to your daily routine as your phone or your keys. Because if we can inspire just one more person to say no to single-use plastic, we’re already changing the story.

This collection is a tribute to that story – and to the man whose voice, vision, and values are helping shape a more conscious future.

A Collaboration Years in the Making

This collection marks the third collaboration between Skip and Kor – but the first to be released publicly. In the past, we created custom Kor ONEs for Skip to gift to collaborators, friends, and fans, including a special edition celebrating his Emmy-winning pandemic anthem "People Get Ready."

In preparation for this collection, Skip even travelled to the Netherlands to spend time with the Kor team in person. He saw the printing process, stayed in Annemie’s home, and together they worked side by side to perfect the details.

What’s Next

The Skip Martin Collection launches in sync with the release of Tom's Diner. But it’s just the beginning. In the coming weeks, more of Skip’s designs will be released – each one telling a new story, inspiring a new message, and drawing from the soul of a man who believes deeply in the power of art to move people.

This isn’t just a bottle. It’s a tribute to legacy. To sustainability. To joy. Join the movement. Hydrate with purpose. #DrawFromYourKor

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Listen while you read

Hit play below to experience Skip Martin’s soulful reimagining of Tom’s Diner - the song that inspired the first of many designs in this soulful collection.

You’ve read the story - now hear it, see it, feel it. Watch the full KOR x Skip Martin video and sip in the magic.
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