G-Shock make a hip-hop remix of the GBA800 in a collaboration with Hilltop Hoods
Luke BenedictusAustralian hip-hop or skip-hop may be something of an acquired taste, but the biggest players on the local scene are undoubtedly the Hilltop Hoods. The Adelaide rappers have enjoyed multi-platinum success and recently set the record for the most No. 1 albums by any Aussie group with six of their eight albums hitting the top spot. But just in case there was any doubt about Hilltop Hoods’ status, G-Shock Australia have released a limited-edition collaborative piece with the trio. The watch takes the classic GBA800 watch face and remixes it with some hip-hop swagger.
“We’ve always been fans of G-Shock,” insists Suffa, the group’s founder. “In the nineties when we were coming up, there were a lot of writers, skaters and so on rocking G-Shock.”
It’s fair to say that rappers are rarely shy and retiring customers and this watch reflects that living large mentality with unapologetic dimensions of 54.1mm x 48.6mm. It comes in matte black with a black dial that features Hilltop Hoods’ monogram logo in blazing white alongside the watch hands. Purple highlights on the bezel and strap add a subtle glint of colour.
As always with G-Shock, there’s no shortage of functionality on offer. Water-resistant to 200m, the watch features a three-axis accelerometer that will capture your step count, five daily alarms and a world-timing setting that includes 300 cities. “One of the things that we wanted for this collaboration was for it to have ‘G-Squad’ tech in it,” says MC Pressure. “It just happened that our favourite looking piece had all the extras.”
Exclusively available at gshock.com.au, the limited edition watch includes some very special packaging. When you open the box, you can watch a short documentary that delves into the lives of Suffa, Pressure and DJ Debris.
“G-Shock’s history of working with hip-hop artists spans decades and multiple continents,” says the brand’s Australia marketing manager, Phil Chester. “When the opportunity came to work with arguably the largest Australian hip-hop band, it was a no brainer for us.”
“The key with a collaboration of any kind is authenticity. With Hilltop Hoods we have a true alliance of cultures and a band that has a history intertwined with G-SHOCK in one way or another spanning their 20+ year careers.”
G-Shock GBA800HTH-1A Hilltop Hoods Special Edition pricing and availability:
The G-Shock GBA800HTH-1A Hilltop Hoods collaboration is now available on gshock.com.au for $449.00.