When Beats Meet Bricks

Hi y’all 👋

Happy Thursday and welcome back to The Midmod Corner.

Can you believe we just celebrated hip hop’s 50th birthday? I've already broken out my tracksuits and Adidas Superstars for this week’s special edition. We're talking OG style, blinged-out cribs, and fine furniture. Let's get this hip hop design party started, shall we?

In today’s email:

• Beyond Bling: When hip hop meets modernist design 🎤

• Snippets: A splashy surprise beneath this home's floor 🏊🏻

• Around The Web: Elon’s sense of humor, Gen Zs flea market and another masterpiece hitting the market 🌐

📰 The Story

The Surprising Link Between Hip Hop & Design

Architecture and interior design doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think about hip hop industry. But if you look closely, they've always been a big part of hip hop culture.

Early hip hop artists embraced a raw, urban aesthetic. Graffiti art and exposed brick formed the backdrop for rappers and DJs getting their start in basements, clubs, and on the streets. As the culture went mainstream, high-profile artists began seeking luxury as a display of success. Sprawling mansions replaced modest apartments, with contemporary architecture, bold colors and fine furniture becoming the norm.

Architecture As a Backdrop

When thinking of architecture and hip-hop, I immediately recall two things: the film Belly—my valid excuse for wearing my Avirex jacket three months in a row during college—and the music video for Let's Get Blown by Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams.

Though Belly is lauded for its influence on fashion, how it changed hip hop and Hollywood, and of course its legendary soundtrack, one of the most underappreciated areas of research is what it gives architecturally, particularly in the iconic "Tommy's Crib" scene.

Aside from the fact that "The White House" is in Florida, little is known about it. Nonetheless, its interior is a tiny marvel of modernist architecture. Belly is exquisite, all white, simplistic, and contrasted with Thierry Le Gouès's captivating black-and-white nude photos and mid-century modern-like furnishings.

Let's Get Blown, on the other hand, became an famous music due to its choice of both location and aesthetic. The music video alone is representative of what many hip-hop videos in the 2000s emphasized: the rich, laid-back luxury lifestyle.

The video was shot at the Sheats Goldstein Residence in Los Angeles, California. This house is a modern architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Lloyd Wright-disciple, John Lautner. In the video, Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams are seen enjoying a luxurious lifestyle in this iconic setting, surrounded by beautiful vistas and models. The house, with its sleek design, offers a perfect backdrop to the smooth vibe of the track, providing a visual representation of the high-end, relaxed vibe the song conveys.

While these works may have been memorable in their own right, they celebrate how hip-hop often intersects with other art forms, in this case, modernist architecture, to create something truly unique and memorable.

An Eye For Fine Furniture

Just as hip hop music often samples old records to create something new, mid-century modern design often took cues from earlier design movements and streamlined or modernized them. The act of looking backward to create something new is a shared trait between the two.

So it was hardly surprising, amidst the infectious beats and memorable lyrics, to spot Cam'ron perched on the iconic Joe Colombo Elda chair in his late-90s Horse & Carriage video. Charli Baltimore isn't to be outdone, lounging on a Mies Barcelona DayBed, with scenes featuring a sleek black LC2 Petit Sofa and a contrasting white LC2 3-seat sofa - a testament to the genius of Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, and Pierre Jeanneret.

You can definitely see a keen eye for design, a love of the classics, and a flair for fusing musical rhythms with the symphony of spaces.

But perhaps one of my personal favorite mashups was seeing Ice Cube show some serious appreciation for mid-century design. In a video made for "Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980," a Getty Institute-organized collection of exhibitions on the postwar Southern California art scene, he's seen touring the Eames House and relaxing on the Eames Lounge chair while discussing how he learned about the couple while studying architectural drafting.

Today, hip hop continues to shape the world - not through uniform aesthetics, but by inspiring self-expression. Designers merge organic textures with sharp lines, raw industrial elements with sleek finishes, vintage collectibles with custom art. The diversity of styles mirrors hip hop's evolution from niche subculture to creative influence touching every facet of design.

So whether through color, texture, accessories or furniture, evidence of hip hop’s legacy can be seen in bold, artistic interiors that embrace both sophistication and edge. Hip hop culture has moved from the streets to the spotlight, and its impact can be felt from music to fashion to the very rooms we live in.

🗃 Snippets

From Screen Stars to Vacation Stars: Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis step into the world of vacation rentals, listing their personal haven on Airbnb. Peek inside their sanctuary and discover a blend of cozy elegance and intimate design, promising unforgettable stays.

Hidden Depths in Home Discovery: Unearthing an indoor pool beneath her home's flooring left one woman awestruck. But as she shared her unique find on TikTok, the internet was divided — applauding her discovery while questioning her next steps. What would you do with such a hidden gem?

From Dated to Dazzling: A Park Slope apartment gets a stunning makeover as its kitchen and bathroom undergo transformative renovations. With clever design choices and a touch of modern flair, this space evolves from mundane to magazine-worthy.

Retro Meets Tech: House of Marley's 'Stir It Up Lux' Bluetooth turntable marries timeless vinyl nostalgia with contemporary wireless tech. Infused with bamboo accents, recyclable aluminum, and the legacy of reggae legend Bob Marley, it's an ode to the past while tuning into the future.

Love Muji? Now you can live in one. Ever dreamed of living in a minimalist Muji world? Now's your chance! Muji's calming, clutter-free designs come to life in a unique Airbnb offering. Experience a stay wrapped in simplicity and serenity, an embodiment of the brand's 'less is more' philosophy.

🌐 Around the Web

• 📐On this day: 51 years ago one of the greatest architects of all times left us. Mies van der Rohe will always be remembered as one of the fathers is modern architecture and his work will be a reference for many generations of architects to come.

• 🐈 That’s interesting: Tesla's iconic Cybertruck gets a quirky feline twist as it's reimagined as a cardboard litter box! Talk about a purr-fect ride.

• ☀️ Weekend plan: HYPEBEAST is taking over Truman's Brewery in London with 'HYPEBEAST Flea', a curated market showcasing limited-edition wares and rare finds. Taking place this September 9 and 10.

• 🏘 On the market: 1990 Architect Robert Nicolais's home is now for sale for the first time in a prized Silver Lake hillside position.

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