Latest news with #Rolls-RoyceWraith
Miami Herald
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
These are the most popular cars in music
These are the most popular cars in music Cars and music are woven into the fabric of American culture. Artists have sung about cars and the open road since the early 1900s, and, regardless of genre, cars - and trucks - still serve as musical metaphors for freedom, ambition, and self-expression. But we wanted to know: Which cars get the most love in songs? Edmunds analyzed song lyrics from more than 1 million songs from the last 10 years, across multiple genres, to learn which makes, models and body styles find their way into contemporary music. Not surprisingly, the favorites that emerged blend elements of high-performance, status, luxury, and rock-solid dependability. Posh, power and muscle prized across genres You might not expect a hyperluxury car like the Rolls-Royce Phantom to dominate musical mentions, but it appears in 163 songs, followed closely by the Rolls-Royce Wraith with 134 musical cameos. It makes sense in the context of modern hip-hop and R&B, which often use ultra-luxury cars as symbols of accomplishment and wealth. But performance classics get nods, too, including the Porsche 911 (71 mentions), the Dodge Charger and Challenger, and the Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro. Kendrick Lamar, arguably today's most high-profile hip-hop artist, even named his most recent landmark album after the high-performance Buick GNX (or "Grand National Experiment") from the mid-1980s. The classic Chevrolet Impala, meanwhile, is a staple of lowrider culture and features prominently in hip-hop lyrics of the last three decades. Even luxury SUVs maintain a steady lyrical presence, with the Range Rover making 48 appearances, reflecting its cultural significance across different genres. Notable and niche name-drops Drilling deeper into the lyric sheets reveals even more unique shoutouts, such as the Bentley Mulsanne (20 mentions), which was discontinued in 2020; the Audi TT (19 mentions); and the Dodge Viper (15 mentions). The Cadillac Escalade gets 18 mentions, which isn't a big surprise given that the luxury SUV's sharp, boxy lines and classic American status have made it a staple in hip-hop and pop music videos. Even eco-friendly options like the Toyota Prius (17 mentions) and Nissan Leaf (12 mentions) get some recognition, while decidedly less eco-friendly vintage models like the Chevrolet Bel Air (10 mentions) and Dodge Challenger (12 mentions) echo a timeless love for Detroit classics. What drives different genres Hip-hop is rife with car references, more than any other modern genre. That's no surprise, as, like in rock music decades before it, cars represent success, status and self-expression in the stories of its songs. The influence goes beyond just name-dropping, though. In a song like Ludacris' "Roll Out (My Business)," his Mercedes becomes part of the story. Benzes, Bentleys, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis all assume character roles in many modern hip-hop lyrics, as rappers boast of the wealth they've amassed in order to afford them. Decades before, pop and rock artists used cars as symbols of freedom, rebellion, and romance in chart-topping hits and underground anthems. The Beach Boys rightfully get credit for mythologizing the early 1960s Southern California lifestyle in songs about surfing and driving, proclaiming their love for Ford hot rods ("Little Deuce Coupe") and Chevy V8 engines ("409"). They weren't the only ones though, as a cottage industry of artists, records and songs about cars sprung up in the 1960s and 1970s, including rockabilly artists like Vince Taylor, whose "Brand New Cadillac" became a popular deep track when covered by The Clash, and Commander Cody's "Hot Rod Lincoln." Cars were even central to the birth of rock music. "Rocket 88," by singer Jackie Brenston and future soul superstar Ike Turner, was released in early 1951. It's widely considered one of the first "rock" recordings for its vigorous shuffling beat, lively guitar and horn parts, and song structure that became a template for rock songs for the next two decades. Naturally, the song was about a car, in this case the Oldsmobile Rocket 88 that had been introduced only a couple of years earlier. Finally, one of the most famous songs of the 1980s was a lyrically loaded ode to love and romance wrapped in the metaphor of America's premier sports car. Prince's "Little Red Corvette" cracked the Top 10 singles chart in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. In America, it reached No. 6 in 1983. In 2016, following Prince's death, it reached No. 4. The single has sold nearly 1 million copies to date. Trucks and tradition Hip-hop and rock artists love their luxury cars, sports cars, and hot rods, but country artists tend to prefer trucks as their mobile muses. Pickups are the original utility vehicles, combining strength, capability and dependability - themes that are also rich for material in country music lyrics. The data shows a wide variety of truck mentions popping up across music genres, such as classic pickups and luxury SUVs often called "trucks" in song lyrics. The Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado get plenty of shoutouts, showing their iconic status in American culture, especially in country and rock music. Even SUVs get an occasional nod. The Chevrolet Tahoe is the seventh-most mentioned song in the dataset, merging the widely recognized truck brand with its popular SUV model. Recent truck sales data reveals how popular trucks compare in the real world to their musical mentions. According to the latest data, the Ford F-Series dominates U.S. vehicle sales with 765,649 units sold in 2024, maintaining its place as America's best-selling truck. The Chevrolet Silverado follows closely, both results mirroring their prevalence in song lyrics. The relative absence of lyrics for Ram pickups, on the other hand, suggests Ram's marketing team has some work to do. From motors to monikers Automotive influence in music extends beyond lyrics. Throughout music history, artists and bands have drawn inspiration from the automotive world for their stage names. From 1950s vocal groups like the Cadillacs and the El Dorados, to the Cadillac Tramps (1990s Orange County rockabilly punkers) and hair-metal guitarist C.C. DeVille, GM's luxury division has inspired more than a few band and artist names. Other GM badges have had similar influence, christening groups such as the Chevelles (Australia) and Chevelle (American), 1960s girl group the GTOs, and 1950s doo-wop group the Impalas. Texas blues legends the Fabulous Thunderbirds looked to Ford for inspiration, while another group of Texans, hard-rockers Pantera, cribbed their name from Italian car-cult favorite De Tomaso. Chicago soft-rockers REO Speedwagon took their name from a 1915 truck produced by Ransom Eli Olds' REO Motor Car Company, and went on to score several radio hits in the 1970s. New wave pioneers The Cars, meanwhile, embraced automotive branding in the most obviously direct way possible. Of course, cars are often named after existing objects and places, making the connection between car and band name sometimes tenuous. Did every 1960s garage surf band that landed on "The Mustangs" do it in tribute to the car or horse? Whatever the source, there's no denying the influence of automotive sheet metal on the musical world. Driving the beat Cars have always played a role in how musicians share their stories. Whether it's a country star praising his trusty pickup, a rock legend in a roadster, or a pop artist flexing her luxury wheels, cars are powerful symbols in music. And while it may take time for a new generation of music to articulate the passion and romance of electric cars, as long as there are cars and open roads, they'll permeate the soundtracks of our lives. This story was produced by Edmunds and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I bought Marcus Rashford's wrecked £700,000 Rolls-Royce after footie star's crash – you won't believe the transformation
FROM a wreck to work of art – see Mat's stunning restoration of the Rolls-Royce Wraith. ROLL WITH IT I bought Marcus Rashford's wrecked £700,000 Rolls-Royce after footie star's crash – you won't believe the transformation REBUILDING a Rolls-Royce might seem impossible to most - for Mat Armstrong, it's just another day at the office. But when a written-off Rolls, pranged by football ace Marcus Rashford, came along at a bargain price, it proved a bit more tricky to bring back to life. Advertisement 8 Owned by footballer Marcus Rashford, the £700,000 Roller was later sold to Mat Armstrong at an almighty discount Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke 8 The wrecked Mansory-customised Wraith was declared a write-off after a collision Credit: YouTube @MatArmstrongbmx 8 Fixing it up proved to be a daunting challenge that took the YouTuber some six months to complete Credit: YouTube @MatArmstrongbmx The 31-year-old YouTube star from Leicester has built a devoted following by restoring and modifying luxury cars, with his projects often involving challenges that even seasoned mechanics might shy away from. His boldest challenge yet? Breathing new life into Rashford's Mansory-customised Rolls-Royce Wraith, declared a write-off after a collision in September 2023. Advertisement The £700,000 luxury car was badly damaged in a crash shortly after Rashford left United's Carrington training base following a match against Burnley. Footage showed the Rolls-Royce dented at the roadside near a toppled traffic island pole - with details later revealing the accident involved another car being driven by a 74-year-old grandmother. Thankfully, Rashford - and the grandmother - were left completely unharmed, but the Roller was a wreck and was promptly sold at an almighty loss. For Mat and his channel, MatArmstrongbmx, the wrecked Wraith was the perfect challenge. With over 4.5 million subscribers, fans eagerly watch as Mat transforms wrecks into works of art, all while managing the demands of his growing channel. Advertisement ROLLING THE DICE One of Mat's most ambitious challenges began last year when he stumbled across Rashford's Mansory-built Rolls-Royce on an auction website. Despite its extensive damage, Mat splashed out £185,000 on the trashed motor, which had just 1,135 miles on the clock. 'At the time, it was a massive risk,' Mat said. 'It was the most expensive car I'd ever bought, but something just told me it was the right move.' I rebuilt Rashford's wrecked Rolls-Royce To bring the Rolls-Royce back to life, Mat spent £90,000 on a second Wraith for parts, £50,000 on Mansory components, and £35,000 on an interior overhaul – including extensive rewiring and adjustments. Advertisement 'The crazy thing is, if you buy a Rolls-Royce today, it's almost the exact same car as the 2015 model,' Mat said. 'But the cost of parts hasn't changed – you're still paying today's prices even for parts on a 2015 car. 'So, weirdly, it actually made more sense to buy an entire car rather than source the parts individually. It was cheaper that way, basically.' Additional expenses included £9,500 for side skirting and carbon fibre, £7,100 for the exhaust system, and £20,000 for the rear, including £700 for black paint. By the end, the total cost of the project reached £324,000. Advertisement THE FINAL TEST The six-month rebuild wasn't without its challenges – both emotional and technical. 'The hardest part was having to chop up a Rolls-Royce just to use it for panels to fix Rashford's Rolls-Royce,' Mat said. 'Not only was that tough emotionally, because you're cutting up such a high-end car – but it was also incredibly technical. 'Making sure everything fit perfectly and matched factory standards was a huge challenge.' Even after completing the rebuild, Mat faced unexpected scrutiny from Kourosh Mansory, the founder of the famed Mansory tuning house that originally customised Rashford's Rolls-Royce. Advertisement Having caught wind of Mat's work, Mansory invited him to their headquarters in Germany – but the reception was less than welcoming. "Everything is wrong with you fixing the car!" Mansory told him, pointing out flaws like the grille not lining up with the bonnet, a popped-off side skirt, and damage to the front bumper. Over the next day, Mansory's team meticulously addressed these issues, adding their signature wheels and fine-tuning every detail. 'We were massively surprised by Mr. Mansory's reaction to the car,' Mat said. 'He wasn't happy with the job we did at first, which caught us off guard – but to his credit, he was kind enough to help make it right. Advertisement 'Now, the car is perfect.' DRIVING AMBITION Since the wild ride surrounding Rashford's Roller, Mat's channel has only continued to soar. Known for his car DIY tutorials and transformations, he's built a reputation for tackling seemingly impossible projects and turning them into YouTube gold. Despite his success, Mat remains humble about his journey. He isn't a professionally trained mechanic and describes himself as 'just a regular guy winging it as I go along'. Having dropped out of school at 16 to pursue his dream of becoming a pro BMX rider, Mat made it as far as the sport's World Championships. Advertisement 8 Marcus Rashford's motor was badly dented by the crash 8 The aftermath of the prang Credit: Zenpix 8 From wreck to work of art – Mat's stunning restoration of the Rolls-Royce Wraith Credit: YouTube @MatArmstrongbmx But after a lack of funding, he found himself working two jobs – at a local car garage and an Indian restaurant – while teaching himself how to rebuild cars in his spare time. Even now, Mat credits his daily routine with helping him stay focused and productive amidst the chaos of running a successful YouTube channel. Advertisement Mat, who works with food brand YFood, says: 'My day usually kicks off with a good cup of coffee to get me going, then it's straight to the gym for about an hour,' Mat said 'After that, I head to my unit around 11am, where I film non-stop until anywhere between 11pm and 1am depending on what's on the schedule. 'I stick to this routine about four to five days a week. The other two or three days are all about editing in my office, with gym sessions squeezed in between.' COMMUNITY IMPACT Mat is also known for occasionally running raffle competitions on his channel, giving fans the chance to win one of his customised or rebuilt cars – or even cash prizes. 'It's not about the money for me; it's about the impact I'm making in my community,' Mat said. Advertisement 'One time, I surprised one of my subscribers, Molly, who was a student paramedic. 'Molly and her boyfriend were big fans of the channel, and she'd planned to buy him a hoodie before he sadly passed away. As a promise to him, she still bought it but faced some financial pressures. 'Fans of our channel are so important, so I surprised her with some MA merchandise and £1,500 spending money. It's the least I can do to help change lives.' DOWN THE ROAD With his channel continuing to grow, Mat is always on the lookout for his next big project or collaboration. 'We're always looking for the next big challenge – especially cars with a story,' Mat said. Advertisement 'If you've got a crashed car with a bit of history behind it, hit us up. 'That's exactly the kind of thing we love to take on. 'We'd also love to work with people like Formula One drivers or anyone who shares a real passion for cars, because at the end of the day, we're all just car lovers!' Mat Armstrong's YFood limited-edition "Happy Banana" flavoured ready-to-drink meal features a unique label design inspired by Mat's personality, including his car, dog, and a cameo of himself. 8 Over 4.5 million fans tune in as Mat works his magic on luxury wrecks Credit: Youtube / matarmstrongmk2 Advertisement
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd goalkeeper André Onana has Lamborghini Urus impounded for having no insurance after £350k motor pulled over by police
MANCHESTER United goalkeeper André Onana had his £350,000 Lamborghini Urus impounded for having no insurance. The 29-year-old, who has made a string of gaffes this season, must now act quickly to get cover or the luxury motor could be crushed. 4 Police pulled over André Onana's Lamborghini Urus on Wednesday morning while one of his pals was at the wheel in Gtr Manchester Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke 4 The Manchester United goalkeeper's £350,000 motor was impounded for having no insurance Credit: Getty 4 Onana, above in the Lambo another time, must act quickly to get cover or the luxury motor could be crushed Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke Police pulled over the vehicle at on Wednesday morning while one of his pals was at the wheel in Hale Barns, Gtr Manchester. The car was flagged as uninsured on an ANPR camera before being loaded onto a transporter and taken to a police pound. A source said: 'Onana has made a few errors this season and insuring his car properly seems to be the latest one.' Onana signed for United from But he has come under the spotlight for a series of howlers. Onana is not the first United star to have a car impounded. Most read in Football In 2021, we told how then-midfielder Paul Pogba had his £300,000 Rolls-Royce Wraith seized as it had The Frenchman was handed three points with a £220 fine and ordered to pay £85 costs at Tameside magistrates' court. Ajax keeper Andre Onana 'in car crash' on way to Cameroon camp for World Cup playoff clash against Algeria He then racked up thousands more in storage fees for leaving the vehicle in the pound for months. A car can be seized if an officer has grounds to believe the driver is uninsured or is not driving in accordance with their licence. 4 Cameroon international Onana has 14 days to prove he owns the Lambo and has insurance Credit: Zenpix RYAN'S CARPOOL By Alex West WREXHAM co-owner Ryan Reynolds has revealed a player once asked him to book a rental car. The Deadpool actor, 48, left, says he contacts new signings personally, leaves his info and urges them to call him if they need help. An unnamed Red Dragons ace with motor problems took the offer a bit too far. Reynolds said: 'One player did call to ask me to rent him a car. 'I said, 'When I said call me for anything, I meant a kidney'. I didn't mean, 'How do I get you a Hertz rental?'. Let's try Google next time.'
Scottish Sun
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Inside Conor Benn's glitzy life, from influencer wife to incredible car collection featuring £110k ‘weekend car' Porsche
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CONOR BENN is on the brink of a career-high payday against Chris Eubank Jr - in a fight sure to boost his already glitzy life. The born rivals renew their family at Tottenham's stadium - 35 year after their dads first fought. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 13 Chris Eubank Jr facing off with Conor Benn Credit: Getty 13 Benn will go to middleweight for the first time Credit: PA 13 Benn with his wife Victoria 13 The unbeaten boxer has a love for fast cars It will be contested at the 160lb middleweight limit - three years after their initial bout was dramatically axed with just days to go. Benn failed two drug tests after testing positive for clomiphene - a substance known to boost testosterone. He vowed to fight his innocence and took his career to America for two wins up at the light-middleweight limit. Benn's UK Anti-Doping case was later dropped - allowing him to box in Britain again as Eubank Jr waited in patience. READ MORE IN boxing COAT OF HARMS Chris Eubank Jr wearing custom jacket with opponent's blood stitched into it Both are stars in their own right but growing up the sons of British boxing royalty afforded them quite the luxurious lifestyles. And here, SunSport takes a look at Benn's life of luxury. Living in the fast lane Over the years, he has splashed his cash on an amazing set of motors, including his pride and joy - a Rolls-Royce Wraith worth £260,000. After beating former WBO world champion Chris Algieri, he was spotted with a £125,000 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG wrapped in gold. The same year, Benn added a stunning £110,000 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S - copying his dad who bought a Porsche 911 in the 1990s. It has a personalised licence plate - 'K013ENN' - and Benn calls it his "weekend car." 13 A gold-wrapped Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG worth £125k is part of Benn's fleet 13 Benn also splashed the cash on a beautiful Porsche 911 Family Guy Benn is married to wife Victoria and they share two children, son Eli and daughter Idony Susanna. The pair began dating in 2017, before walking down the aisle a year later in a private ceremony. She is an author, having penned the book Feeling It All which helps kids cope with their emotions. Victoria also shares big brand deals on her Instagram page, where she has over 27,000 followers. Fans may also recognise her from her YouTube channel which has just over 1000 followers. In her videos, she take viewers behind the scenes of her boxing star husband's career. Victoria and Conor welcomed their first child together in 2021, son Eli and daughter Idony Susanna followed last year. 13 Victoria has been married to Benn since 2018 13 Victoria is an influencer and author 13 They share a son and daughter together Flying private When Eddie Hearn's your promoter, you can expect to live the high-life. Should Benn need to travel with Hearn and his pals for business trips, he'll fly private. The son of legend Nigel showed off a private jet that took him and a crew to Philadelphia for a DAZN fight night. They then headed to Miami on the US trip and captioned the snap: "PHILLY nights with the team, now on to MIA." Back home the photos of his trip left a sour tase in wife Victoria's mouth who was left at home with the kids. Amusingly, she commented on the snap: "Meanwhile, Idony just threw up on me 🤣". Benn completed his training camp to fight Eubank in Majorca - and travelled back to London in a private jet with his team and family. 13 Benn enjoys the use of a private jet when he's working Credit: instagram @conorbennofficial 13 Benn was joined by Eddie Hearn on board flights to Philadelphia and Miami Credit: instagram @conorbennofficial 13 Benn travelled from Majorca to London via private jet 13 Benn enjoyed a sunny training camp in Majorca
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Inside Conor Benn's glitzy life, from influencer wife to incredible car collection featuring £110k ‘weekend car' Porsche
CONOR BENN is on the brink of a career-high payday against Chris Eubank Jr - in a fight sure to boost his already glitzy life. The born rivals renew their family at Tottenham's stadium - 35 year after their dads first fought. 13 13 13 13 It will be contested at the 160lb middleweight limit - three years after their initial bout was dramatically axed with just days to go. Benn failed two drug tests after testing positive for clomiphene - a substance known to boost testosterone. He vowed to fight his innocence and took his career to America for two wins up at the light-middleweight limit. Benn's UK Anti-Doping case was later dropped - allowing him to box in Britain again as Eubank Jr waited in patience. Both are stars in their own right but growing up the sons of British boxing royalty afforded them quite the luxurious lifestyles. And here, SunSport takes a look at Benn's life of luxury. Living in the fast lane Over the years, he has splashed his cash on an amazing set of motors, including his pride and joy - a Rolls-Royce Wraith worth £260,000. After beating former WBO world champion Chris Algieri, he was spotted with a £125,000 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG wrapped in gold. The same year, Benn added a stunning £110,000 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S - copying his dad who bought a Porsche 911 in the 1990s. It has a personalised licence plate - 'K013ENN' - and Benn calls it his "weekend car." 13 13 Family Guy Benn is married to wife Victoria and they share two children, son Eli and daughter Idony Susanna. The pair began dating in 2017, before walking down the aisle a year later in a private ceremony. She is an author, having penned the book Feeling It All which helps kids cope with their emotions. Victoria also shares big brand deals on her Instagram page, where she has over 27,000 followers. Fans may also recognise her from her YouTube channel which has just over 1000 followers. In her videos, she take viewers behind the scenes of her boxing star husband's career. Victoria and Conor welcomed their first child together in 2021, son Eli and daughter Idony Susanna followed last year. 13 13 13 Flying private When Eddie Hearn's your promoter, you can expect to live the high-life. Should Benn need to travel with Hearn and his pals for business trips, he'll fly private. The son of legend Nigel showed off a private jet that took him and a crew to Philadelphia for a DAZN fight night. They then headed to Miami on the US trip and captioned the snap: "PHILLY nights with the team, now on to MIA." Back home the photos of his trip left a sour tase in wife Victoria's mouth who was left at home with the kids. Amusingly, she commented on the snap: "Meanwhile, Idony just threw up on me 🤣". Benn completed his training camp to fight Eubank in Majorca - and travelled back to London in a private jet with his team and family. 13 13 13 13
