It's so absurd. It was weird when I saw a few rappers flex the average Tesla SUV in their videos lol. But now they're showing the Cybertrucks in their videos as if it's a Rolls Royce or some shit.
As stupid as they are, chains and diamonds and super and luxury cars make sense as something to flex. Jewelry has been a symbol of wealth forever, and luxury cars have the history and reputation of being fast and/or absurdly expensive.
But Tesla? They're literally getting paid by the government. I suppose scamming is a common theme in trap but like... this is just pathetic lol. At least be on the side of Elon and not the guy owning the Cybertruck if it's all about scamming lmao. The government is also paying them to "eventually" become more affordable and widespread. Imagine if Mercedes became as ubiquitous as Camry's. The people driving Telsas and Cybertrucks are the same ones posting motivational quotes on LinkedIn on a Saturday night. Where is the "luxury?" It's expensive, sure, but there are so many car brands out there that are even more expensive, nicer looking, and less annoying. Watching the new Future video and I can't help but think "you can't be roleplaying as a hardened thug while dancing in front of a clown car"
I also notice the Apple Vision Pro in a few videos, but not as prominent as the Cybertruck. The AVP is even worse because it's worn by obnoxious yuppies so they can do spreadsheets in real life. SMH what happened to real rap? Back then these fools would've been robbed
I mean I do 100% think companies pay musicians etc. to use their products in their videos etc. I mean isn't this the whole idea behind the social media influencer? Famous musicians are the biggest influencers of them all.
But also I think it can be understood organically. The cybertruck is a sign of wealth, it looks sleek and gaudy, and that's what these rappers are going for. Yeah obviously there are other cars, but the cybertruck is new and many people are unfamiliar with it. There's a bit of clout that comes from being one of the first to do something. Mercedes might not be ubiquitous as you say, but everyone knows what a Mercedes is. A cybertruck is still new.
But this is part of why wealth is such a signifier in hip-hop. Back in the day rappers would wear big chains. To walk through the projects with a big gold chain like that and not get robbed means either people respect you, or people fear you, both of which give you clout. The flaunting of wealth in hip-hop is not only about the wealth, but the fact that you can flaunt it without getting robbed or killed for it.
Of course this all breaks down when you have rappers living out in the Hollywood Hills or the suburbs somewhere in some gated mansion where you'd need a military team to break into, or when hip-hop has become so ubiquitous that middle-class rappers are able to get big flaunting their parents' wealth. But, you know, it's a part of the culture at this point as annoying as that is.