As the years have passed and countless SoundCloud hitmakers fade into obscurity or rise to unprecedented heights, there’s no denying the 30-year-long stranglehold that hip-hop has had on pop culture. Many rappers have claimed that the label is rather pigeonholing, placing many of these versatile artists in a box by saying they can only rap, and that’s completely fair to say. With so many genre-bending songwriters taking the music world by storm, we’d be ignorant to ignore the shape-shifting sound that helps curate the modern-day rap game. However, one element that doesn’t shift in the slightest is its sense of flashiness. With that in mind, we decided to wheel out a quartet of rap-inspired EDC gear — the game needs it.
Beats Fit Pro
While Apple’s sub-brand in Beats may utilize its parent company’s world-renowned H1 tech for these true wireless buds, the first thing that comes to mind when seeing that lowercase logo is the West Coast’s finest producer, Dr. Dre. Thanks to their flexible wingtips, these IPX4-rated in-ears stay where they’re supposed to even through the most strenuous workout routine — or streaming session. Thanks to a trio of listening modes, including noise-canceling and transparency, you can personalize your experience wherever you are while still managing to get that same bassy sound.
DONDA Stem Player
Put however you feel about Kanye West aside and admire this incredible piece of equipment he had a major hand in assembling. The DONDA Stem Player is practically a pocket-sized DJ set, granting owners the opportunity to split any song into stems, chop them up piece by piece, and make their own grandiose mix. Cut out vocals, make your own acapella, and slow down or speed up your favorite tracks to your liking. This magical musical machine is as innovative as it gets and goes to show that Ye is still pushing boundaries.
Off-White Diagonals Cardholder
Serving as an ideal follow-up to DONDA’s device is a product from Off-White, the high-fashion label founded by the late Virgil Abloh. Once a mentor under West’s wing, the eclectic designer’s Diagonals Cardholder is equipped with three slots and rounded out with an embossed leather diagonal pattern on the front, providing an upscale, fortified addition to this array of luxe gear.
Rolex Day-Date 40
From Future to Young Thug and even the late Nipsey Hussle and Mac Miller, there is a swarm of rap industry leaders who have mentioned the likes of this enviously luxurious watch. At this year’s Watches and Wonders trade show, Rolex unveiled a brand-new version of “The President” in platinum with an ice blue dial. The 40mm case sports the brand’s signature fluted bezel, executed for the first time ever in platinum, while inside ticks the in-house Calibre 3255 automatic movement with its Chronergy escapement allowing for 70 hours of power and COSC-beating accuracy. Channel your inner Hov with one of the more opulent alternatives to the impossible-to-get Tiffany-blue Patek Philippe Nautilus around.
