During the late ’90s and early ’00s, few could match the fleet of whips Cash Money had at its disposal. One of rap’s most prolific millionaires, Birdman aka “Baby” set the standard for ballin’ - which, of course, includes luxury cars. “N**** can’t out-stunt me when it come to these fuckin’ cars,” announces Birdman in the intro to Big Tymers’ “#1 Stunna.” And he isn’t wrong. If you drive a vintage Chevy Impala, you’re likely tied to the West Coast low-rider scene, while if you’ve customized a 1990 Lincoln Town Car with “swangas,” you’re definitely from Houston. More than just a prop, cars communicate knowledge, wealth, geography, and heritage, and they do so nowhere more forcefully than in hip-hop. Cars have proven to be a big part of that expression, serving as a visual cue to flex luxurious lifestyles, pointing to niche cultures that build up around automobiles, or simply as a way of indulging a passion for vintage vehicles. Not only do they offer an imaginative representation of the meaning lurking behind a song, they also give artists the opportunity to express themselves in an entirely new medium (supported by a crew of directors, stage hands, gaffers, and on-screen talent who bring the vision to life). Since the explosive arrival of MTV in 1981, music videos have played a central role in defining countless musical careers.
Experience this story and others in the new issue of Highsnobiety Magazine, available from retailers around the world and our online store.
0 kommentar(er)
