There seems to be hardly any modern hip-hop or rap song that doesn’t mention the British car manufacturer, and many people are wondering, what is the big secret of Rolls-Royce and rappers? There is more than one answer to that question, but it seems that it has to do with the luxury associated with the brand. It used to be Cadillac back in the day of the first rappers and hip-hop creators. However, in present days, nothing surpasses R&R.
Why Rolls-Royce is So Popular With Rappers
To track the beginnings of this cult of the famous car manufacturer, you need to board the musical time machine back to 1979 when the first mention of this car is registered in the single “Rapper’s Delight;” perhaps one of the precursors of “commercial” hip-hop. The song, which references Rolls-Royce as a symbol of status and wealth, marked the start of a new era. This is especially because in the 70s there were some other icons of wealth amongst rappers of that time.
One of those was the notorious Cadillac, a car as iconic in rap music as it is in jazz, blues, and many other cultures. Back then, it was considered one of the most luxurious cars by artists; one of the dreams of every person in the neighborhood was to get their hands on one of them.
However, it wasn’t until the late 80s that the Rolls-Royce fame amongst rappers began to really grow to what it is nowadays. The “gangster” culture had begun its rise to another level in American society, creating a “model” that inspired thousands of new and young rappers, considered the upcoming promises of the genre. Certain young musicians, such as Run DMC, Kurtis Blow, and the Sugarhill Gang, amongst many others, were the first to be portrayed with the famous British car.
Designed for Royalty
Perhaps one of the most iconic aspects that led to so many gangsters adopting this car as their own was the fact that most of the British Crown, particularly Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, was transported everywhere in a Rolls-Royce Phantom. This 450+ horsepower engine-powered car was one of the first models used by royalty in England. Additionally, it’s still one of the preferred choices of VIPs in the British Isles and many other countries.
Just to compare, a Tesla Model X, one of the most famous cars in the world, has a price of about $150,000 USD fully equipped. The Phantom has a cost of about $550,000 USD; that price difference extends even further with some other “premium” or “luxury” cars, like Jaguars, Cadillacs, and other popular brands.
Why Rolls?
But it begs the question, why don’t they get a Ferrari or a Lamborghini? They are far more expensive than the priciest Rolls-Royce, but still, rappers are picking the latter as their favorite. The explanation seems to be behind the simple history of this genre, which picked that gangster image, together with an air of “royalty,” to create an image that inspires almost every rap and hip-hop single ever sung.
To date, this concept of being “created for royalty” by the car manufacturer is one of the most appealing ideas for many rich people, amongst them famous rappers and hip-hop creators. Diddy, for example, was such a fan of the brand in the late 1990s that he included it in his most popular album and song, “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down,” which earned him first place on the Billboard Hot 100. Following his passion for white clothes, houses, and everything he could buy, of course, his car was white, but also a Rolls-Royce Corniche, featured in the video of the song over and over, till it was part of the culture one more time.
The Crown Jewels
Considered one of the most luxurious of the brand, it’s still an icon of hip-hop culture to this day. Especially now because it’s extremely difficult to obtain since production ceased in 1995. Only a few hundred are still drivable. The future of Rolls-Royce, now part of the German company BMW, began with the Cullinan, the latest of the batch; without a doubt, it is a step up in terms of modern design and aerodynamics.
With its iconic roar used as part of the sound effects of many songs, there is only one way for these cars in the future; and that fate is close to the chests of many rappers and their families. Often used as their main car to move around cities and get to concerts, the living memories of those old rappers are still alive in the modern generations, carrying their iconic love for Rolls-Royce into the second decade of the new millennium.
The Rolls-Royce legacy was created by the choices of some of the most recognizable men and women of the 1950s. This includes Margareth II of Great Britain, King Faisal II of Irak, and the Sha of Persia. Additionally, the late Duke of Edinburgh was one of the first to test and order such vehicles for his personal fleet.
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