For the last few weeks, we’ve been traveling time and searching through the musical archives to find out just how the Chevrolet nameplate has been represented in the music world. Our journey through songwriting history has revealed a strong sub-tradition of Chevy within the bigger traditions of rock and Country, but Bowtie love and loyalty have not been exclusively for cowboys and head bangers.

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One thing that can be said about rap and hip-hop is that you either love it or you hate it. It’s not for everyone, but if there’s anything we’ve learned from the hip-hop sector it’s that GM cars are as prevalent with rap stars as they are with rock or Western, as evident by the popularity of Cadillacs with 50 Cent and others.

Photo from: Coolchasers.com

“Chevy Ridin’ High” by Dre is a reminder that Chevy’s “bad boy” image, or their potential for that image is also one that crosses borderlines, and it’s one that’s not reserved exclusively for the Motley Crue! For as much as GM trucks may be subconsciously associated with the ruggedness of rural life, ’63-64 Impalas and other full-sized General makes have likewise established a correlation with the “thug life” of rap and hip-hop.

Maybe it’s the sophistication of their steel-and-chrome aura or maybe it’s simply the fact that you can pick up a lot of chicks at once in the expansive interior of a GM B or G-body, but no matter what the reason for associating with thug culture, full-sized Chevy rides have taken on a reputation of “tough” that manifests itself over several generations!

Photo credit: Layitlow.com