Does Offset Own A Patek Philippe? – A Journalistic Investigation
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It starts off innocently enough: a reference here, a metaphor there, maybe even an allusion or a simile if things get really extreme. But what happens when an artist becomes so infatuated with consumerism that an individual purchase becomes a recurring theme in their work? We’re about to find out.
Formed in 2008, most readers will probably be surprised to learn that Atlanta-based trap superstars Migos have been around for over a decade. Comprised of rappers Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset, the group has been releasing a steady stream of mixtapes and albums ever since 2011. While the trio quickly made a name for themselves among hardcore hip-hop heads, they only recently achieved mainstream success thanks to the astronomical popularity of songs like “Bad and Boujee” and “Walk It Talk It.”
Chart-topping songs aside, the group has also proven their strength as a force in pop culture, often credited with popularizing the now-ubiquitous “triplet flow” as well as the (quickly-ruined) dab. While the group’s songs often revolve around the award-winning formula of money, women, jewelry, and drugs, they occasionally do venture into deeper waters... but that’s not what this post is about.
Following 2017’s immensely-popular Culture, the group dropped a long-awaited sequel earlier this year and after multiple listens an interesting through-line emerged: Offset can’t stop rapping about his Patek Philippe.
While rap as a whole drops name brands more than any other genre, this level of specificity is unheard of, especially at this frequency. As a bit of a spiritual sequel to 21 Savage’s obsession with food, I’m proud to present: Does Offset Own A Patek Philippe? - A Journalistic Investigation.
We Are The 17%
According to lyrics.com (which is far from comprehensive) there are precisely 180 songs that contain the word “Patek” as of October 2018. At a grand total of 31 references, this means that Offset has cornered roughly 17% of the total Patek-referencing market.
Due to the sheer abundance of Patek name-drops, I’m choosing to focus solely on those contained within the group’s most recent release. For the sake of completeness, I’m going to cite all of Offset’s other Patek references at the end of this article, but for now, let’s jump straight into the madness that is Culture II’s Patek-based hellscape.
“Narcos”
Culture II’s first Patek Philipe name-drop comes in at track number three. Featuring some of the album’s more visceral Patek language, Offset embraces the slang “water” (an abstraction of ice) to describe his bejeweled timepiece. Through this potent bout of descriptors, Offset explains that his watch is so expensive it’s practically overflowing with excessive adornments.
“Auto Pilot”
It seems that if Offset happens to own a Patek, it may bear a two-tone design. To fully flesh out this pied timekeeping flex, he draws a direct comparison between the multiple colors of his watch to the multiple colors of women who are throwing themselves at his feet.
“Emoji A Chain”
Much like Ororo Munroe, Offset possesses the ability to change the weather by merely strapping his trusty Patek to his wrist. While (presumably) not literal, this line once again draws back to the water-based well for an elemental flex of wealth and opulence.
“Stir Fry”
In one of Culture II’s more illusory lines, Offset utilizes mucus-adjacent slang to illustrate how fancy and tricked-out his Patek is. Either that, or he has run out of Kleenex and we’re meant to read these words at face value.
“White Sand”
In this star-studded mid-album cut, Offset comes in hot with a straightforward boast in which he explicitly states the amount he paid for his Patek Philippe. It seems we have confirmation, folks.
“Beast”
In a moment of gender equality, Offset throws the listener for a loop as he explains how someone else’s Patek made him feel. Perhaps the inciting incident for his own purchase, this lyric offers a glimpse into the rapper’s consumer-friendly mindset while simultaneously acting as a subliminal criticism of capitalism and the dangers of following the crowd.
“Motorsport”
Venturing back once more to the “water” slang, Offset elaborates that not only is his Patek adorned with jewels, but his Audemars Piguet as well. Hopefully they’re waterproof, because at this point he’s practically submerged!
“Top Down On Da Nawf”
In Offset’s final Patek namedrop on Culture II, he takes a slightly more pensive approach to the jewelry flex, using it to contrast his current level of wealth with his previous life of crime. This confessional exposition illustrates Offset’s desire, nay, need for luxury. A stark contrast indeed.
In Summary
There you have it. All of Offset’s Patek references contained on Culture II. In addition to these eight references from Migos’ latest album, there are an additional twenty-three references below that come from Offset’s features, collaborations, and other Migos releases. Given the scope, size, and sheer number of Patek references, I think it’s safe to say that Offset owns at least one Patek Philippe.
You can thank me for my service in the comments.
In all seriousness, much like Lil Pump and his grandma, I think this is just a case of a rapper revisiting the same topic because they don’t have a lot to say… and that’s perfectly fine. The Migos have produced music for an entire decade, so it’s not surprising any one of them has said the same thing more than a few times. Additionally, nobody goes to Migos for deep cerebral bars. As long as their songs have a dope beat and clean flow, the lyrics are essentially the least important aspects of their music.
If anything, this exploration proves that the closer you listen to the words, the more you start to realize how unimportant they really are. What’s impressive is how little this lack of lyrical depth actually detracts from my enjoyment of the music. God knows that discovering this specific quirk has only made me like Offset more if only because I’m now listening for Patek name-drops in every song and feature. Here’s to another decade of explosive success and many more Patek purchases.
Comprehensive Philippe
1. “Balenciaga Challenge” - 6LACK
Got a bust down Patek, a plain bitch (Patek)
2. “Bosses Don't Speak” - Migos
Hop in the frog and leap (leap) / Patek Philippe (Patek Philippe)
3. “Call Casting” - Migos
Spent you a hundred, Philippe on your wrist (Patek)
4. “Darth Vader” - Metro Boomin, 21 Savage, Offset
I bought the plain Philippe, they said I was being too extra (plain)
5. “Drip” - Cardi B
Patek on my wrist, and it's glistenin' (drip, drip)
6. “Do Not Disturb” - Smokepurpp & Murda Beatz
For the Patek, I Rollie the watch (for the Patek)
7. “Fucking Up Profits” - Migos
Rollie, the AP, the plain Philipe (plain)
8. “Ghostface Killers” - Metro Boomin, 21 Savage, Offset
Thot and addy (thot), love the Patek on my arm (Patek)
9. “Hook Up” - Lil Baby, Offset
Pateks on fleek, got baguettes in my neck (hey)
10. “Iced Out My Arms” - Dj Khaled
This is a hundred Patek, 20 more for Piguet
11. “Interlude” - Lil Yachty & Offset
I show my Patek so much, say I'm petty (petty)
12. “Lost it” - Rich The Kid
44 millimeter iced out Philippe (ice)
13. “Major Bag Alert” - DJ Khaled
Patek Philippe with the snow in the wind (Patek) (Oh)
14. “No Drama” - Tinashe
Got Patek on her wrist, in her panties (Patek, hey)
15. “Peek a Boo” - Lil Yachty
Look at my Patek, I'm flexin', I'm petty (I'm petty)
16. “Rap Saved Me”
His and her Pateks (his and hers)
17. “Ric Flair Drip” - Metro Boomin, 21 Savage, Offset
Bought my first Patek, it got some rain on it (Patek)
18. “Slippery” - Migos
I gave her her first Philippe (Philippe)
19. “Still Serving” - Metro Boomin, 21 Savage, Offset
Rich bitch, and yeah my bitch got a Patek
20. “Taste” Tyga
And she got the Patek on water moccasin (water moccasin)
21. “Violation Freestyle” - Offset
Bust down my wrist, bitch I'm Patek'd up (bust up)
22. “Wrist Thunderstorm” - Offset
Patek, the diamonds do backflips (woo)
23. “ZEZE” - Kodak Black
She an addict (Addict), addict for the lifestyle and the Patek (Patek)
