Ah, Valentine's Day, the day Cupid clocks in absurd amounts of overtime. He floats out of bed, loads his quiver with arrows, and starts shooting like a matchmaking Robin Hood. Love is certainly in the air on this day, and the days proceeding while everyone tries to get cuffed before time runs out.
Everyone spends the day a little bit differently, in elementary school Valentine's Day meant chocolate hearts and handwritten letters to your crush. The day becomes a lot different as an adult, while some of us spend the day reminiscing about our past lovers (or shredding their photos), while some are lucky enough to be coupled up on this love day and want to make the day extra special for bae. Trust us, no matter how pretty the wrapping paper is, your partner will know if you picked their gift up at the corner store the night before. Chocolates and roses are fine, but you want to be enchanting, so we've created this list specifically for your hip-hop loving boo, as a way to set the mood for your romantic evening. Whether you're single, in a "situationship" or have just met your soulmate, we've made a list of eight gifts guaranteed to impress everyone from your bestie to your beau.
And don't worry, if all else fails, light some candles and put on a 90’s Slow Jams playlist and shower your boo thang with some love and affection. If you're spending the day alone, it's especially important to make the day sweet for yourself - you deserve it.
Tickets to a Concert
Let’s get the most obvious gift for your music-loving bae out of the way. Concert tickets to their favourite artist is always a hit, and being able to enjoy this gift together is a bonus. If you’re at a loss for which tickets to purchase we suggest Daniel Caesar (his shows have a reputation for being a hub for lovers), Miguel, Boys II Men or Khalid, who are all touring right now.
Artist Merch
You can’t go wrong with artist march in festive red and pink. Beyonce just unveiled her V-Day capsule collection, Diego (Lil Xan) dropped off his new "Xanarchy" Valentine's Day collection, A Tribe Called Quest also debuted a V-Day inspired line and even Russ has some cute pink t-shirts that are a good bet for a loving gift.
A Mixtape Made By You
Ah, remember mixtapes? This personal and romantic gift has become obsolete in the age of digital streaming but prove to your bae you’ve got that sentimental love with a collection of songs picked out just for them. We suggest putting them onto a USB rather than a cassette or CD, for practicality sake. If you’re feeling ambitious (and have the talent) go the extra mile and try covering your favourite love songs.
Rap Lyrics Kitchen Set
If your bae loves rap, has a sense of humour and spends the majority of their time in the kitchen- then you really can’t go wrong with these original typographic prints. Bonus points if you cook them dinner too!
East vs. West Acrylic Pins
Does your boo rep the East or the West? Well, now the coast rivalry can play out on either side of their head with these unique Leroy’s Place illustrated earrings. There are lots of options, but we are all about the Biggie and Tupac pair.
Hip-Hop's Favourite Champagne
Nothing says Valentine’s Day like popping bottles. This gift is for all you singles out there too, who might need some liquid courage to get through this day. If money is no object, try Jay-Z's Armand de Brignac champagne (retails for $300 a bottle). If you’re trying to impress but on a budget, check out John Legend’s wine collection LVE, we could all take a cue from the king of love songs.
A Classic Album on Vinyl
Every couple has a song or album that brought them together. And there is no better way to treasure a musical memory than with a vinyl record. If you can’t think of anything in particular, we suggest going for a romantic classic like Ottis Redding’s “The Dock Of The Bay,” which is guaranteed to set the mood for the love-filled day.
*Baller Edition* Bloody Shoes
*Warning: This gift is reserved for extreme ballers only* If your pockets are as deep as your love, treat your boo to some Red Bottoms, and have them feel as bad as they are. These are definitely worth the money, and you'll for sure have bae spreading love with every step in these iconic "bloody shoes."