Google pays homage to Hip Hop's 50th anniversary with Pixel Fold special edition

Hip Hop is believed to have originated in the Bronx, New York City, on August 11, 1973. On that day, 18-year-old Clive Campbell, a.k.a. DJ Kool Herc, stunned the crowd at his sister's back-to-school block party by using two turntables to loop the percussion portions of two tracks through a technique known as “merry-go-round.” And so Hip Hop was born.

For its 50th anniversary, Google has paid homage to the genre by creating a special edition Pixel Fold. More precisely, Google made only 400 of these devices (via djwrex) and is gifting them through the #GiftFromGoogle initiative. Which sadly means you can't buy one. But check out these photos below (via @filmedbyfresh).

Samsung and Hip Hop fans might rightfully be thinking that the Galaxy Fold and Flip series missed out on an opportunity here. Google made more Pixel Fold Hip Hop Edition devices than Samsung did Galaxy Z Flip 4 SCH edition bundles, of which there are only 19 — and even though this Pixel Fold is not available for purchase whereas the Z Flip 4s were sold along with concert tickets to French rapper SCH — there's no denying that Google's initiative feels way more grandiose and touching to Hip Hop fans worldwide.

What's the Pixel Fold Hip Hop Edition?

By all accounts, the Pixel Fold Hip Hop Edition is technically the same as the standard device. It's powered by the same hardware components and software. The main difference is the subtle “Hip Hop 50” engraving on the camera housing.

In addition, each of these 400 bundles Google's sharing through its #GiftFromGoogle initiative comes with a fully functional Victrola portable record player, a 45 It's All G jewelry by Simone I. Smith, a Mass Appeal box set containing five 45RMP records, as well as a pair of Pixel Buds Pro wireless earbuds and a Pixel Watch smartwatch.