Money, cars, houses, vacations, and clothes. The exuberant displays of wealth often flaunted throughout rap lyrics are expected. One sign of wealth that may have flown under your nose is the Hermés Birkin bag. Flexing the ability to buy this luxury handbag can be found in male and female artists’ lyrics.
The bag is named after Jane Birkin–an English-French actress and singer–who expressed to Jean-Louis Dumas, the Executive Chairman of Hermés at the time, that she needed a bigger bag. One that would suit her life as a young working mother. Jean-Louis Dumas sketched a rectangular handbag with ample space and inside pockets. Dumas even dedicated space for baby bottles!
So, what place does the Birkin bag have in rap music?
A Courting Gift
The Hermés Birkin bag is the illustrious handbag of choice in the hip-hop music scene. The handbag was launched in 1984, and by the early 2000s, hip-hop legends such as Jay-Z and Nas were referencing it as a social status signaling purchase.
For male artists, Birkins are usually used to signal to women that they are sexually and/or romantically attracted to that they are worthy of their affections because they can provide the finer things. Or, Birkins are presented as a gift to their partner for staying loyal through all the hassle that comes with being with him.
If anyone wants to show their love by icing me out and buying me a Birkin, hit my line.
“I keep you workin’ that Hermés Birkin bag” – ’03 Bonnie & Clyde by Jay-Z
“Bought my bitch a Birkin bag now, she a brat now” – My Shit by A Boogie wit da Hoodie
“I gave her four Birkins and one’s for her daughter” – Wants and Needs by Drake
“‘Cause I’m good for that, Birkin bags, I’m good for that” – All Eyes on You by Meek Mill
Other times, male artists whose discography up until this point focuses on the uphill battle to succeed in the music industry–the games the industry plays, doubters, haters, and rejection they face. They’ll reference Birkins as the outlandish request from the woman they want to be with or the expectation from the type of woman who likes men who have already made it. This frames Birkin bags as yet another discouraging goal post in their quest for money, power, and respect.
Please tell me you got the reference.
Bags for Men
On the flip side, there are men who just buy Birkins for themselves. Gender-neutral fashion is becoming more common, and let’s be honest, men have things to carry around too! The late-great Virgil Abloh was known to own more than a dozen Birkins; he even created a custom Birkin for his brand, Off-White, in 2015.
In 2017, Drake revealed during an interview that he collects the Hermés Birkin bag for the woman he spends the rest of his life with. In 2020, Architecture Digest did a cover story on Drake’s Toronto home. We got a look at his closet and a glimpse of his Birkin collection. Now that it is 2022 and no lucky lady has laid claim to the said collection, I’m classifying it as his own–and it is, without a doubt, worth millions.
Nasty but Classy
Female rappers tend to reference Birkin bags as a display of power or simply an everyday staple. They will tote the iconic handbag and utilize it to signal their success in the music industry. Namely, their acquisition of wealth and luxury.
“Big Birkin bag, hold five, six figures” – Act Up by City Girls
“It’s big bags bussin’ out the Bently Bentayga, man Birkin bag, Bardi back and all you bitches fucked” – Up by Cardi B
“I’m workin’, I’m holdin’ this Glock in my Birkin” – Megan’s Piano by Megan Thee Stallion
“And they say, Birkin where the bag is / Got a lot of bags, but we never got baggage” – Favorite by Nicki Minaj
Think of it as the equivalent to the chain–the ill-advised first big purchase many male rappers make when the cash starts to flow in. Birkins are nowhere near as gaudy in appearance but can be similarly priced. This is not to say that women do not also get the chain; female rappers enjoy the best of both worlds. Megan thee Stallion’s custom-made chain that her partner–rapper and songwriter Pardi– gifted her for their one-year anniversary.
The Price Tag
Birkin bags are one of the most exclusive luxury accessories in the world. So if you have never paid much attention to the mention of Birkins or have never seen one, don’t feel bad.
The Hermés Birkin is so highly coveted that its resale value has the potential to quintuple depending on the bag’s specs. There are size, color, leather, and design variations. Hermés even makes limited edition Birkin bags, which is wild to think of when considering how exclusive the market for them already is.
This double-handled investment costs anywhere between $10,000 and $500,000.
Leave a Reply