Dr. Dre‘s mixing console, which he used on records for N.W.A., Eminem and Kendrick Lamar among others has been sold at auction.
The SSL 4000 G+ mixing console was auctioned off for the huge price of $165,000, which is a new record for a piece of Hip Hop memorabilia, easily topping the $69,000 paid for RZA’s drum machine used on Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).
The console was purchased by Ryan Zurrer who said on social media: “Grateful to pick up the signature instrument that Dre took the time to perfect the beat…brought the oldies, taught you to smoke trees…still DRE. This iconic part of hip hop history will be available to the public @thhmuseum because it ain’t no fun if the homies can’t have none.”
Dre’s console is currently on display at the Grammy Museum but there are plans to move it to the Hip Hop Museum when that opens in New York next year.
There were a number of West Coast Hip Hop items in the stacked auction including original handwritten lyric sheets from Snoop Dogg, DJ Yella’s various gold and platinum plaques and Xzibit’s script for XXX: The Next Level.
Kid Cudi recently raised an eye-watering amount by auctioning off some unique items he had in his possession.
In total, the auction brought in $857,439, with the biggest sale being a custom Jacob & Co 14-karat N.E.R.D. pendant that was originally commissioned by Pharrell in 2005.
Cudi bought it at a previous auction but opted to put it back up for sale, with the winning bid coming in at $243,750 — more than double the estimate.
A one-of-a-kind Ben Baller x Takashi Murakami x Kid Cudi chain also collected $187,500, which was below its $200,000 guide price.
Another eye-catching item on the auction block was a pair of Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 Low sneakers designed by Virgil Abloh, which went for $82,500.
The Lonely Stoner also parted ways with a Ben Baller chain that depicts the rapper in 18-karat gold, diamonds, sapphires and rubies. That piece went for $43,750.
Fans with deep pockets also got their hands on Cudi’s rare collection of vintage music T-shirts, which included original items from the likes of Eminem, Michael Jackson and Nirvana.
Zara Larsson has indicated that she may have cancelled her December 3 appearance at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The singer initially confirmed that she would not attend, before removing the comment and sharing a more detailed explanation of why the performance no longer feels right for her.
The Swedish star was scheduled to take the stage at Etihad Live on Yas Island during the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. Zara and Lewis Capaldi were due to launch the weekend’s entertainment. However, supporters encouraged her to reconsider the booking because of concerns surrounding the United Arab Emirates’ reported connections to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organisation accused of committing atrocities during the nation’s civil conflict.
A fan commented: “Please read about what UAE is doing to Sudan then cancel your Abu Dhabi show!” Zara responded: “I will not be going to Abu Dhabi.” Fans later realised that both comments had been removed.
She then shared that she had been considering what it means for her, as an artist, to perform in particular countries.
The Midnight Sun singer explained: “I think about that a lot in my life as an artist… I wanna perform and spread joy and music for people in every country, because no single person is their government.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people from every corner of the world and I know this to be true in my heart. I love people, and I love my fans soooo much.”
Zara acknowledged that her original comment “maybe came off as an impulsive response,” but explained that she had given the booking serious thought. She now believes withdrawing is the decision that “aligns with me the most right now, for many different personal reasons beyond politics.”
She continued: “Maybe I’ll delete both comments and do a better statement soon. I hope to sing with you in the beautiful future!”
