The Fragrance Of Hip-Hop: Dakota's Rapper Connection

Rappers and perfume might seem like an unlikely combination, but it's more common than you might think. From Young Thug's Dior Sauvage to Lil Uzi's Chanel, rappers are increasingly embracing the world of fragrance. Some, like Travis Scott, have even launched their own perfume lines, partnering with Swedish fragrance company Byredo to release his Space Rage scent. So, what's behind this unexpected trend? Is it simply a matter of personal preference, or is there a deeper cultural significance at play?

Travis Scott's Space Rage scent

Rappers and perfume are a more common combination than you might think. Travis Scott has added to his myriad of brand partnerships by teaming up with Swedish fragrance company Byredo to release his Space Rage scent. The fragrance is meant to smell "literally like space", according to Byredo founder Ben Gorham. The $285 scent and $95 candle were formulated to encapsulate the feeling and atmosphere of space. "Atmospheric vapour" emblematic of dark nebulae serve as the base note that carries hints of "Cosmic Dust" inspired by antimatter particles and the brightness of "Starlight" supernova. The initial release sold out in just a few hours, but the perfume and candle have now been restocked.

Drake's candle collaboration with Givaudan

Drake is collaborating with Swiss fragrance house Givaudan on a candle line, which is expected to launch in the near future. The rapper has long been interested in fragrance, getting a Drakkar Noir bottle tattooed on his shoulder in 2017 and naming the Nothing Was The Same opener 'Tuscan Leather' after the Tom Ford perfume.

Drake's candle line, Better World Fragrance House, is an ethnically-owned, black-owned fragrance house. The rapper created five fragrances with Givaudan's senior perfumer, Michael Carby, which he then made into candles. The collection includes the Good Thoughts candle, which was created from an oil that Drake brought to Carby, and the Carby Musk fragrance, which Drake discovered after smelling it on a person in Toronto.

Drake's candles are priced at $48 each, except for the Carby Musk candle, which retails for $80.

Young Thug's Dior Sauvage

Dior Sauvage is a fragrance for men that was launched in 2015. It is described as radically fresh, raw and noble, with top notes of Calabrian bergamot and pepper, middle notes of Sichuan pepper, lavender, pink pepper, vetiver, patchouli, geranium and elemi, and base notes of ambroxan, cedar and labdanum. The fragrance is inspired by wild, open spaces and blue skies covering rocky landscapes. It is available as 60 and 100 ml Eau de Toilette.

Reviews of Dior Sauvage are mixed. One person describes it as "bland" and "boring", with too much pepper, and smelling like "a seedy taxi driver with bad intentions". Another reviewer says it is "one of the best freshies of all time", and that it is wearable almost anywhere.

Lil Uzi's Chance by Chanel

Lil Uzi Vert, the hip-hop artist, has said that he uses Chance by Chanel. In a 2021 Reddit discussion, fans speculated that the perfume Uzi refers to in "That's It" is Chanel Chance, which has a peachy scent.

Chance by Chanel is a popular fragrance among rappers, with Amine also mentioning it in the GQ Top 10. Other rappers with their own fragrances include Young Thug, who mentioned Dior Sauvage in a song, Travis Scott, who released Space Rage with Byredo, and Drake, who is collaborating with Givaudan on a candle collection.

Kanye's Dior Homme

There are a few rappers who have their own fragrances, including Travis Scott, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Diddy.

Kanye West has mentioned Dior Homme in his song MBTTF. However, it is unclear whether he still uses the fragrance or has switched to something else. Some fans have interpreted the line as a comparison between Dior Homme and Dior, with the former being superior.

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