Where do we even begin? The BMW E30 M3 has become synonymous as “the Frank Ocean car” - appearing in everything from the iconic ‘Nostalgia, Ultra’ mixtape cover, to countless Tumblr posts, and in his video for ‘ You’re Not Dead‘. Here are the cars owned by Frank himself.
It’s the same girl seen in his ‘SIDE STREET’ video with the pink Fiat 131 Abarth.Įngine: Turbocharged 2.0L in-line 4cyl engine producing 212 horsepowerĪ lot of our first exposures to Frank Ocean’s cars were through his ‘Nostalgia, Ultra’ mixtape, which namedrops several cars in the lyrics - and even has one front and center on the mixtape’s cover.
The song is about him falling in love with a girl in a short period of time, only to find out that she’s taken. Tyler remarks that in California, you spend most of your life in cars, moving and traveling – referring to his life and the constant evolution and uncertainty it brings. The Lancia is seen in the beginning of Tyler’s video for WUSYANAME, driving through the California desert, mountains and even next to the ocean. Famously known for sporting a Martini livery and competing in Group B rally car racing until the Group B class was disbanded, this small Italian rally car packed a punch with its small in-line 4 engine producing 212 horses and sending them to all four wheels. The Lancia Delta, simply put, is an IYKYK kind of car. One thing that stands out is that despite the Abarth with its rich, aggressive rallying history and designed boxy-hard edges, it’s covered in a bright pink – a tasteful choice by Sir Baudelaire himself.Įngine: 2.0L in-line 4cyl engine producing 140 horsepower
Another similar video was tweeted showing the rear of the car while Tyler hangs out the driver window while still kissing the same girl. What followed was a 43-second teaser video title ‘SIDE STREET’ of Tyler leaning on a pink Italian Fiat 131 Abarth while he kisses someone else’s girl. Tyler teased his 2021 album ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ by initially placing simple billboards across the country with a phone number plastered across them.
Check out some of our favorite classic Tyler, the Creator cars featured in the videos so far: The rollout of videos for his ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ album have featured some Italian gems that you wouldn’t find in your average music video. Tyler loves cars, but we love the attention that he’s been giving to the classics. Want more content between the automotive and art world? Join our automotive mailing list ? The legendary BMW E30 M3 for Frank’s ‘Nostalgia, Ultra’ cover, the plethora of European Le Mans racers in Frank’s video for ‘Nikes’, or even the resurgence of Italian rally racers in Tyler’s videos for his latest album ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’.Ī quick listen to both of their discographies will reveal generous references to cars from Bimmers and Jags, to McLarens and Ferraris.ĭive into the minds of these avant-garde artists, and learn about the iconic Euro cars that Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean call their own. Acting as representations for moments in their lives, every one is used as vehicles (no pun intended) for storytelling – often referring to emotions, people, places and self. Make no mistake, musicians showcasing their favorite cars is no new feat, but there is a common underlying theme to the cars that Tyler and Frank display in their music and artwork. Cars that have adorned the racetracks, podiums and vintage car ads of past decades, from touring and rallying to endurance racing. It’s no secret that Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean both have a deep love for cars, but we can’t get over their love for specific 80s, 90s, and 2000s European cars with roots in racing.