2018 19
Photo Credit: Image by Laura Alston
Illustration: Laura Alston
There are only a couple of weeks left in the holiday season. Are you still looking for gift ideas? Okayplayer has you covered.
There are only about two weeks left in the year. That's plenty of shopping time. But, you might be confused with what to get your loved ones.
READ: In His Own Words: How Roc Marciano Independently Released Three of the Best Rap Albums of 2018
We got you covered: from clothes to to books to merch to headphones to just random fly shit. Here is Okayplayer's 2018 Holiday Gift Guide.
For your music friend who loves to read.
The big read of the holiday season is the Beastie Boys Book, an epic, manic book featuring exclusive photos and never-told-before stories from the iconic group. At $50, the book is a little on the pricey side, however. If you want something just as interesting, and not as pricey, check out Houston Rap Tapes An Oral History of Bayou City Hip-Hop, featuring new interviews with southern legends like Scarface, Slim Thug, and Lil’ Keke.
Another gem to consider is Inner City Pressure: The Story of Grime, which takes a deep dive into the British genre. Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984 was one of the best books to drop last year. So we're happy to see a new updated paperback version just hit the streets. Snoop Dogg put out a cookbook, From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen, officially solidifying his role as rap's Martha Stewart. And we would be remiss if we didn't mention Questlove's excellent Creative Quest, the only motivational book your friend or family member needs.
For your music friend who is not really a reader, but who wants people to think he or she is.
You can't let your friend have an empty coffee table. There are numerous options out there. The big one to check out is Hip-Hop at the End of the World: The Photography of Brother Ernie Hardcover, an incredible book featuring iconic imagery of legends like The Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Public Enemy, 50 Cent, Lil' Kim, and more.
There's also the just-released Contact High, which is a visual history of hip-hop, featuring early, rare pictures of every rapper that mattered. Outside of hip-hop, there's Prince: Before the Rain, a gorgeous book documenting Prince's early career. Also check out Amy Winehouse. Blake Wood, a book documenting the time Winehouse spent with the photographer.
For your geeky hip-hop friend.
The Marvel variant covers are finally available on Vinyl. They are so dope. The first three are 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Trying, LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out, and GZA's Liquid Swords. Also, we recommend you put in the extra $20 for the deluxe version, which includes a nifty comic book.
If your friend is still on a Black Panther high, consider giving him or her a shirt from this interesting Black Panther x Tupac collection that Foot Locker is doing. If your friend is more of a villain, consider copping this hilarious Thanos Gaunlet Mood Lamp. For something a little more affordable, you can't go wrong with this Notorious B.I.G. Funko Pop. And finally, take a look at the Cards Against The Humanity for hip-hop: The University of Dope.
For your Gearhead friend.
Skullcandy has released a lot of fire this year. The standout is the Venue Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones, which are affordable considering the quality (right now they are on sale for $129.99.) If you're looking for something more subtle, try their PushTruly Wireless Earbuds, which come in a stylish teal color. If you have a little more money to play with try EVEN headphones, which adjust its sound to your listening habits. (Remember, no two ears are alike.)
Outside of headphones, check out the Traktor Kontrol S2 from Native Instruments, for your DJ friend.
For your friend who doesn't stream.
You can buy The Roots' classic Undun album on vinyl for the first time in the United States. It's a worthy addition to any collection. If you're a big spender, check out the massive, all-encompassing David Bowie Loving The Alien vinyl collection. Another cool option is a subscription to Vinyl Me, Please, the very dope record of the month club.
It's not all about vinyl. Consider hopping on Fela Kuti's Zombie on 8-track. And, if you're in the market for a new tape player, get on this fashionably retro Crosley CT200 Portable Cassette Player.
For your fashionable friend.
New Era has a bunch of fly shit to gift. This includes cool collabos with Basquiat and Nautica. It's a little cold outside so they have NFL Knits you can cop, so your friend can rep their favorite team.
G-Shock has been unveiling their holiday collection and it has been impressive. The standout is the nifty collabo they did with the fashionable A$AP Ferg.
For your friend who loves merch.
Socks are something that everyone needs, but no one likes buying. Meaning it's the perfect gift. There are a bunch of hip-hop-related socks, you can cop in the OKP Shop, from Outkast to Beastie Boys to NWA. Go crazy with them all.
As for shirts, we have a bunch of new new drops: like our J Dilla Jay Dee's Beats and Rhymes shirt, De La Soul Stakes is High Hoody, Beastie boys Repeater T-Shirt, and the OKP Native and RBG Flag shirt.
Source: Nature Sounds Music
Outside of the OKP Shop, we recommend this Midnight Marauders sweater; this set of Anderson .Paak durags; this trippy Rico Nasty and Hemper collabo box; this Brockhampton skateboard; and a Prince Umbrella.
Oh, and you can own over 100 J Dilla samples.
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