On Watch The Throne’s “New Day” Jay-Z famously rapped about his fear of becoming an absent dad to a future son: “If the day comes I only see him on the weekend / I just pray we was in love on the night that we conceived him.”
Nas, meanwhile, documented an up-and-down relationship with his own father on “Poppa was a Playa”, ultimately choosing to dab his dad up for choosing to stick around. “So many kids I knew never knew who pop was / That’s why I show my pop love.”
Historically hip-hop has been a welcoming space for men and women looking to come to grips with child-dad dynamics, or purge general feelings around looming fatherhood (see 2Pac’s “Letter to my Unborn Child”). Given these deep roots, and with Father’s Day fast approaching, it’s clear a rap themed gift for a rap fan dad is sure to go a long way.
Here’s a look at 16 rap-themed items (all available on the Complex Shop right now) that should make for well-received Father’s Day gifts.
Price: $150
Perfect for a vinyl-loving dad, this record holder slickly repurposes the iconic spiral logo of Interscope Records, the label which has famously been the home of pioneering rap artists including Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Snoop Dogg. Made from fine wood and holding up to 28 LPs, this one would look smart next to your dad’s turntable and would 100% impress Jimmy Iovine should he ever come over for dinner.
This signed book by photographer Joe Conzo is filled with vibrant images depicting hip-hop’s rise from block parties to birthing lyrical masterminds such as KRS-One. A great coffee table book, it’s something your dad will be able to grab whenever he wants to be reminded of the raw ways in which rap started out.
Price: $20
Let’s face it: your pops isn’t getting any older. He’s also probably got enough grey hairs to remember a time where Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s song “Got Your Money” tore through the clubs. Therefore, this figurine serves two purposes: the name Ol’ Dirty Bastard can be a playful jab at your dad’s advancing age, while this action figure of the Wu Tang’s biggest eccentric is a nice collectible to spark some nostalgia.
Price: $48
As you get older, getting caught up in rain becomes more annoying, while there’s nothing worse than trying to hurry your kids along right as the heavens start to open.
This umbrella from Pleasures has a bold design, repurposing Marilyn Monroe’s portrait and embracing a newspaper print aesthetic, and it will keep your dad happy yet stylish during any rainy days. From Fat Joe to Drakeo the Ruler, a lot of legendary rappers have famously been photographed standing triumphantly under an umbrella; now it’s your dad’s turn.
Price: $100
Larry June is one of the glowing stars of lifestyle rap, a sub-genre built around responsible adults living out the good life amid chilled-out trap production.
The Alchemist, meanwhile, is a cult rap producer who is likely to be high up on your dad’s goat beat makers list. Getting your father this comfy hoodie makes a lot of sense, especially given dads make up a big proportion of these two’s respective fan bases.
Price: $27.98
Thanks to Tupac Shakur’s chilling performance as the lost renegade Bishop, Juice is considered one of hip-hop’s greatest movies. The score for the 1992 film is arguably even better and features a head-nodding mixture of some of the best artists—Eric B. & Rakim, Naughty By Nature, Big Daddy Kane, Cypress Hill—from boom bap’s glory days. This is one of those vinyl your dad will be thankful to have crossed off his “most wanted” list, trust me.
Price: $48
“There’s a war going on outside…” from Mobb Deep’s Prodigy on the duo’s immortal hood anthem “Survival of the Fittest” might just be the coldest opening bars of any rap song ever.
This camouflage t-shirt from Brigade immortalises these renowned lyrics, and it’s an apt one for your pops to wear during those living room-dwelling days where going outside seems like the worst idea in the world.
Price: $198
For a male rap fan of a certain age, Timberland boots tick all the right boxes: offering comfort; a bold look; and endless connections with hip-hop. These might set you back a little, sure, but it’s worth splashing out to be able to feel less embarrassed by your dad’s footwear choices.
Price: $19.99
If your dad likes to have a smoke when the kids go to bed, this Goblin Green weed tray is a solid gift idea. A limited drop and materializing from a collaboration between LRG and Scab Denim, this one might just inspire the ultimate Father’s Day smokeout.
Price: $68
This collaboration between Malbron, New Era, and Wu Tang’s Ghostface Killah has resulted in a sharp design that will keep your dad’s (probably) bald head safe on a sunny afternoon. Wearing a cap with the classic Wu logo on it is a must for any male rap fan of a certain age, and this limited hat is subtle enough not to irritate rap-hating relatives.
Price: $120
In 2023 the Brooklyn Public Library held an exhibition immortalizing the rise of famous local son Jay-Z. This accompanying book contains rare behind-the-scenes artifacts and photos from Hov’s fabled career, rightly treating The Blueprint rapper’s rise from drug dealer to billionaire mogul as something historically significant. With its striking blue colours, it’s something that would look pretty great on your Dad’s bookshelves.
Price: $225
It’s fair to say a lot of dads wear shorts way too much. Thanks to A$AP Rocky’s growing brood with Rihanna, the Harlem rapper is one of the smiliest fathers in hip-hop right now, making these shorts a solid choice of dad wear. Decking your dad out in these denim shorts, which are a collaboration between Rocky and sportswear brand Puma, will ensure he always looks like a rap star at family BBQs.
Price: $250
“Hip hop reinvented everything” reads this high quality artwork print, capturing Grandmaster Caz [of the Cold Crush Brothers] sweating while rapping to a euphoric hometown crowd in 1981. If your dad is lacking artwork on the wall that solidifies his hip-hop obsession then this classy snap should be a shrewd find.
Price: $100
In your 20s, admitting you like scented candles might inspire ridicule from male friends, but once you become a dad there’s few things better than lighting one up while decompressing. This scented candle from CÖLLE is uniquely sized so it looks just like a bookshelf-based speaker. It is a quirky gift that will smell good, while also referencing your dad’s life-defining music obsession.
Price: $43
Essentially the hip-hop equivalent of Marvin Gaye’s Here, My Dear—a brutally honest album where the R&B icon got things off his chest about his crumbling personal life—this is Kendrick’s most mature project yet. Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers deals with the kind of weighty themes (family, relationships, temptation, legacy) that will never be far from a dad’s thinking. Owning it on vinyl is therefore a must, and it is likely to become the number one record your dad puts on to feel less alone during challenging life moments.
Price: $44.99
The Clipse are certified rap excellence so of course any dad who loves hip-hop would appreciate this box set. It includes their new album, Let God Sort Them Out, on CD, plus a T-shirt and collector’s box, all designed by Kaws. One caveat: it doesn’t ship until July. So maybe slip your pops an IOU card in the meantime?
