Yahoo Autos Here Are The Most Important Cars In Hip-Hop
Cars and rap have been inseparable from the beginning. From Oldsmobile 88s to 1996 Impalas and “Isuzu Jeeps” hip-hop culture and car culture have massive overlap.
As Hip-Hop turns 50, we put together some of the cars that helped take rap music from New York clubs to every street in the world. From Eazy-E, 2Pac, Outkast and 50 Cent, to Detroit for stars like Eminem and cars from the Big 3. And don’t forget about Dre.
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This story is part of our new Hip-Hop: ’73 Till Infinity series, a celebration of the genre’s 50th anniversary.
Chevrolet Impala SS, AKA The “6-4”
Dr. Dre - Let Me Ride [Official Music Video]
All roads lead to Chevrolet’s 1964 Impala SS. But those roads were only beginning to be paved in the late ‘80s. According to Chron, the sedan not only symbolized class but also “nodded to a more elegant age of cars when cruising was regarded over speed”. The Impala always made a statement. It also helped that they were fairly easy to modify, especially into lowriders. Notable mentions and appearances of the “6-4” would be Eazy-E’s “Crusin’ In My ‘64” and Dr. Dre’s “Let Me Ride.” Dre’s Impala would make continued appearances in many of his and Snoop Dogg’s music videos.
Cadillac Escalade
Big Tymers - This Is How We Do ((Cash Money Mix) Version 1)
The Cadillac Escalade arrived on the market in 1999 and was an immediate hit, bringing in some $200 million pre-tax over its two years of existence. From there, the redesigned second-generation Escalade would quickly establish the SUV as a symbol of celebrity and elite status, as well as an icon of rap culture, featured in videos from artists like Big Tymers to 50 Cent (with The Game) and Jay-Z.
It wasn’t long before everyone in rap seemed to be driving an Escalade with tinted windows on wicked chrome rims and spinners. From there, the Escalade etched itself into pop culture a hip-hop favorite – and also into GM’s annals as one of the automaker’s most-profitable models, second only to the Corvette.
GMC Yukon XL Denali
Eminem - Lose Yourself (Official Video) (Explicit)
The Cadillac Escalade may get the lion’s share of attention in pop culture, but its hard to forget the impression that the Yukon Denali made when it appeared in Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” video. In fact, it might very well be due to the ubiquity of the Escalade that the GMC stood out, and Eminem’s video made me a lifelong fan of the Denali.
While the Denali is merely a trim, and not a model made famous by the greatest emcees of the genre, the Denali lineup has been the object of more rappers’ affection than similar near-luxury SUVs.
There’s something endearing about Marshall Mathers — who’s famously from Detroit — repping the Big 3. Like a homecoming in the most appropriate vehicle for someone who, by all rights, could easily be driving the best from Italian or German carmakers. Eminem may be rapping about losing yourself, but that doesn’t mean losing touch with where you’re from.
Chrysler 300
Dr. Dre “Good Things” (Chrysler 300 Commercial)
Speaking of the Big 3, Chrysler shocked everyone with the introduction of its 300C. The full-sized, square sedan with its chiseled design looking luxurious while still “hiding” away those German underpinnings and its 5.7-liter V8 Hemi.
It sold well for the company as an accessible American-made car with Mercedes-Bentley-like presence on the road. The result was one of the most iconic vehicle designs of the early 21st century and an almost instant hip-hop and rap icon.
You can find the 300C in numerous music videos. Dr. Dre did a commercial for it once the brand started using his Beats Audio as an exclusive sound system, and Eminem would also be the voice for Chrysler commercials. Chrysler also worked with DUB magazine in creating everything from special show cars to factory rims, which further helped to solidify the 300Cs iconic status in hip-hop.
Mazda MPV
Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M. (Official HD Video)
“Rollin’ in MPV’s, every week we made 40 G’s”
When you think of hip hop, the MPV probably isn’t the first vehicle that comes to mind. But the MPV did its work behind the scenes, before those songs you love ever hit the public eye. Or, uh, public ear. Biz Markie owned two MPVs, outfitting one with a massive sound system. DJ Premier did the same, and his MPV became a go-to listening station for artists working on their latest tracks. It’s been mentioned in plenty of songs, far more than you’d think for a little family hauler. Nothing special, nothing flashy, just a damn good car with a great stereo.
Acura Legend
Frank Ocean - Nights
Before the Mercedes G-Wagen and the McLaren P1 became the darlings of the genre, large sedans were beloved by rappers and featured prominently in their music. Big body ’Mercs were held in high esteem, along with similar cars from Lexus and Acura. The Acura RL was one of those big sedans that looked just as good slammed as it did stock, maybe even better. But many other Acuras have been alluded to by rappers: the Integra and Legend being among these.
The Acura (or Honda) Legend is not exactly as big a sedan as the Acura RL, but it’s nonetheless an icon for hip-hop fans who grew up in the ’90s in the South, listening to Juvenile and Silkk the Shocker — both New Orleans natives. Frank Ocean talks about the Legend in the song “Nights,” off the album Blonde. And Ludacris is also an Acura Legend fan. The U.S.-based Acura Design Studio even restored and brought back to life a 1993 Acura Legend for the F&F star.
Porsche 911
Frank Ocean - -T-Y
As we’ve already seen, loving Frank Ocean is easy for those who love cars. Ocean’s car obsession runs the gamut from Acuras to Astro vans to Ferraris to BMWs. But of all the car cameos among Frank Ocean’s oeuvre, the Porsche 911 is the greatest.
This is not said as a fanboy of the Stuttgart brand, but as a lover of simple machines. Simplicity and flawless execution thereof being the tenets that Achim Anscheidt followed when designing and building his immaculate 911, which is purity personified. Frank Ocean doesn’t technically call out the fast low-flying beetle by name, but in the fifth track of the album Endless, titled “U-N-I-T-Y,” Ocean slows down his syllables and says, “I want the Porsche Bugatti-design...”
We can interpret this as a reference to a single example of the 911. Achim Anscheidt is the designer behind the Bugatti Chiron, and he would often turn to his own 911 project car to cleanse his palate. Think of his silver 911 as a counterpoint to the tech-laden Bugatti. The theme being less is more: less tech, less complexity; less power, sure, but also less to get in the way between the car and driver.
