Hey Rappers, Want to Reference Expensive Sh*t You Don’t Own? I Got You Posted by Nathan S. on 07/16/12 | Filed under Features, Opinion

(Nope, you don't go sailing in the Cayman Islands either.)

Not a day goes by without a rapper referencing a luxury good they couldn't possibly afford. In fact, there's a chances you're one of these rappers. I feel for you, I really do. It's got to be tough talking about something that, if pressed, you'd have to admit you know absolutely nothing about.

Well, because I care and want to save you the embarrassment of being called out on your bullshitery, I've put together a quick outline of info on some of the game's most common references. Now when someone calls you out, you can carry on the charade just a little bit longer.

You're welcome, and remember, if you're reading this, you definitely don't own anything listed below.

Jean-Michel Basquiat


FYI: Probably the first "street" graffiti artist to break into the high end art, Basquiat's work is known for including both text and image. Depressed and increasingly isolated, he died of a heroin overdose in 1988.
Where You Heard It: Jay-Z on "Most Kings", and now pretty much everyone: Kanye, Busta, Rick Ross, etc.
Why Rappers Say It: Cause it makes them sound all classy and artsy and shit.
Price Tag: His paintings have been known to go for $3 million each.

G6 Jets


FYI: The most expensive and sophisticated private jet available, the Gulfstream G650 comes equipped with a full kitchen.
Where You Heard It: Too many rappers to name. For example, Drake's "I know G4 pilots on a first name basis," although these days a G4 is considered too low class to fly in by most fronting rappers. Hence "Like a G6".
Why Rappers Say It: Cause fuck, how baller does it sound to own a jet?
Price Tag: $65 million - although very few people actually own one. The vast majority of folks, including famous rappers, essentially rent them via NetJets.

Ace of Spades


FYI: Made by Armand de Brignac, Ace of Spades is a luxury brand of champagne. Only about 60,000 bottles are made each year.
Where You Heard It: Jay-Z.
Why Rappers Say It: Cause Jay-Z says it.
Price Tag: $225 a bottle. It's important to note that it's been long rumored that Hova only mentioned Ace of Spades because he has a financial stake in the company. Most champagne connoisseurs consider it average at best, and complete shit at the worst.

Have another reference you're pretty sure rappers don't understand, but rap about anyway? Get to educating the masses in the comments below. Together we can ensure that even when they're fronting, rappers at least have some idea what they're talking about.