Breaking Down AraabMuzik's Bling

Wearing a studded leather jacket, backwards Chicago Bulls cap, and swinging diamond-crusted chain, AraabMuzik saunters into the VICE office with a ten person posse. It doesn't matter that he's known best for fusing saccharine sweet trance vocals over machine gun beats. AraabMuzik still carries himself like a hip-hop king—and he's got the bling to prove it.

The so-called "MVP of the MPC" sat down and spilled some thoughts about his personal chain philosophy.

MPC chain: $50,000

Thump: Is that a diamond MPC on your neck? Where did you get it? 

Araabmuzik: This piece was custom-made by my friends in the Diamond District, Avianne & Co. I felt it was only right to do a custom MPC chain—something that represents who I am and what I do.

Is it modeled after your first MPC?

The second. It's the one that I made everything on. I do all my shows on it.

What's it bedazzled with?

Black diamonds, VBS, and a lot of white gold. Everything is functional—even the buttons and knobs move. The back has all the outputs.

Oh shit! That's cool. Has anyone ever tried to bite your style?

Nah not at all.

This is the only custom piece you got? 

Yeah. The rest of mine are like, big Cuban chains with diamonds in it.

What if Cam'Ron was like, "You wanna trade your MPC chain for my globe chain?" Would you do it? 

Nah, nah, nah. [laughs]

Rolex watch: $30,000

When did you get this?

It's the Presidential Rolex, which is a must have. I got it last year as my second purchase. It's solid gold with diamonds in the face.

What do you look for in a watch?

People think that if you got diamonds on a watch, it's worth a whole lot. Not at all. It could be a plain watch that looks like a regular G-Shock, but it's near a million dollars, know what I'm saying? That's when you step into the grown man mentality.

I feel like watches are like wine. If you're into it, you really know what you're talking about. Whereas most people are just like "Oh this tastes…nice."

Yeah, exactly. You don't wanna lose the value by putting diamonds all over it. It's like getting an old Mercedez Benz and putting 22 inch rims…just leave it alone man.

Where'd you get it? Your friends in the Diamond District again? 

Same place, Avianne. But you can't make it sound like I got it from my friend down the street. It's like, you go to a dealership to get a car. You don't just go to your friend's place. [laughs]

Who recommended Avianne to you? 

Diplomat gets all their jewelry from him.

Hermes belt: $2200,

That's an Hermes belt right?

This is one of the rarest, hottest, most difficult belts to get. They only make one. I bought it in Beverly Hills.

And the earrings? 

I got these around the same time I got everything else. They're all VVS diamonds, the same as the chains and the watch.

Diamond earrings: $6000

Wait, you got all of these all in a big shopping spree? What was the occasion? Did you just wake up and decide you wanted to drop a couple Gs?

No special occasion. It was just something I wanted. It's like when you want a pair of sneakers…you go out and get it. As an artist who works hard, it's something you gotta have.

Is there anyone who you look to, to see what's hot? 

You don't wanna follow, you don't get anything out of that. That's what makes you become original.

Are there any jewelry trends you think are stupid?

Versace and Chanel chains. They seem kinda whack to me. I got hooked up with these Cuban chains. Those are always gonna be in style.