The Fader’s ‘The Things I Carry’ series provides viewers with an in-depth and entertainingly mundane insight into the pockets (and personal lives) of your favorite rappers. Here, you'll see the two latest entries in the The Things I Carry series, one featuring legendary megastar Big Boi of the Diamond-selling rap group Outkast, the other featuring up-and-coming Canadian DJ/producer Ryan Hemsworth.
Hemsworth’s collection is packed and endearingly eclectic—a novel by Japanese author Yukio Mishima, a laptop covered in rap-related stickers, a series of non-descript pins, while Big Boi’s is sparse and travel-friendly—three lighters, a machine-rolled joint, cash, business cards. Both are fascinating and revealing in their ordinariness.
The best part about the series is that you feel like you’re getting an authentic look into the lives of rappers, who so often seem larger than life. This personal touch brings these stars down to earth and helps us realize that despite their fast-paced, action and money-filled lifestyles, rappers aren't all that different from everyone else.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Authentic Personalization
- The 'Things I Carry' series offers an authentic look into the personal lives of rappers, creating opportunities for brands to personalize their products and services based on individual preferences.
- Ordinariness as Novelty
- The series highlights the ordinariness of rappers' possessions, presenting an opportunity for brands to market everyday items as unique and sought-after accessories.
- Humanizing Public Figures
- The series humanizes rappers, providing an opportunity for businesses to collaborate with these artists and create relatable content that resonates with their audience.
Where This Applies
- Fashion
- The fashion industry can leverage the 'Things I Carry' series to design and market products that reflect the personal style and preferences of rappers.
- Publishing
- The publishing industry can capitalize on the series by curating books and novels that resonate with rappers' interests and preferences.
- Marketing and Advertising
- Marketing and advertising agencies can use the 'Things I Carry' series to create personalized campaigns that resonate with consumers and humanize the brands they represent.
