click on above image to view high-resolution gallery
At the GM Style event tonight held next door to General Motors' world headquarters, hip-hop entrepreneur Jay-Z walked the runway with a special blue GMC Yukon Denali. Apparently Jay-Z came up with the special shade of blue and it includes platinum dust. At a press conference after the show, Jay-Z and GM VP of marketing Michael A. Jackson announced that a limited run of the Denalis would be made available for sale. The full press release is available after the jump and a gallery of high-res images is available by clicking on the image above.
PRESS RELEASE:
GMC, Jay-Z Debut Concept GMC Yukon Denali SUV at Detroit Style Event
DETROIT – General Motors Corp. tonight unveiled a concept GMC Yukon Denali SUV developed in partnership with cultural icon Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.
Jay-Z, hip-hop superstar and business entrepreneur, escorted the GMC Yukon Denali – painted a special shade of blue in honor of his signature color "Jay-Z Blue" – down a runway at an exclusive event called GM Style, an invitation-only party where top celebrities appeared with 17 new GM vehicles, concept cars and classics. The party kicked off the North American International Auto Show, which opens to the public on Jan. 13.
"Automotive design, entertainment and fashion have had a profound influence on each other and American culture for generations," said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. "Tonight we're pairing a music icon, Jay-Z, with an automotive icon, the GMC Yukon Denali. Our Global Color Studio worked with Jay-Z to develop a fresh, vibrant color that matched his goals and aesthetics. The paint uses a high degree of reflective materials that helps evolve the blue color spectrum."
"We're thrilled to unveil this great new concept GMC Denali with Jay-Z," said Michael A. Jackson, vice president of GM North America Vehicle Marketing and Advertising. "GMC is a very strong brand and it is poised for continued success in the marketplace.
"And while we can't announce specifics tonight, we'd love to bring this concept to reality. Jay-Z and GMC -- it has a nice ring to it I think."
The 2007 GMC Yukon Denali combines performance, luxury amenities and style that deliver a powerful, understated elegance unique to GMC, and the concept GMC Yukon Denali in Jay-Z Blue gives GMC's flagship a distinctive and sophisticated look.
CAR reveals spy shots of McLaren P11 supercar
2010 Chevrolet Camaro priced: LS $22,995, SS $30,995
BREAKING: GM and Chrysler talking about merger
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z again, with interior shots
2010 Mazda3 unveiled ahead of LA Auto Show
In the Autobog Garage: 2009 Chevy Cobalt SS Turbo
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 3
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3, return of the "hummer"
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Chevy Corvette Z06
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Radix @ Jan 6th 2007 11:52PM
Very Nice, but unfortunenatly the Yukon is expensive enough as it is. This will probably be like 50k
Rastus @ Jan 7th 2007 12:13AM
It looks like an enema gone wrong.
Ahhh, yieah, down w/ Jay-Z. Who the hell is he??
redpillbluepill @ Jan 7th 2007 12:36AM
Yawn, another rapper thinking bling-bling SUV is the top.
Wasn't this played out like a decade ago?
tired.
hmmm @ Jan 7th 2007 1:22AM
Jay-Z and Michael Jackson team up for some overpriced bling bling woopee !!!!
whatever @ Jan 7th 2007 1:38AM
O.K. so since this is a GM product half of you are going to bitch thats it crap and how dare Jay-Z work with them, and it a gas hog blah blah blah, same crap different day. So what do you want to see him drive?
Rickland @ Jan 7th 2007 3:13AM
LOL @ the comments on Jay-Z thinking a "bling-bling SUV is the top."
Jay-Z's worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He's got cars that make this Yukon look like a Yugo.
GM decided to write him a check to add to that balance and he obliged them. Nothing more, nothing less. If anything is tired, its the same predictable comments people seem to make here when a rapper is asked to promote a car.
Miles Dixon @ Jan 7th 2007 4:53PM
I believe this is smart busniess move. If the SUV is affordable that excellent. I see this thing going places. I wish the best for both!
megalon @ Jan 7th 2007 5:13PM
Rappers are monkeys given suits. They cant even speak never mind make music and yet suddenly they define culture, yeah right. WTF do they know about anything except how to look stupid in public and earn the contempt of anyone with half a brain. They will be remembered in another decade the way off brown colors and bell bottoms were in the late 60's early 70's....the rejects of the era. Nothing more nothing less. No wonder GM is in the dumps...the target demographic they seek needs to have special financing and is being chased by the repo man right into the caddy and gmc dealership.
south @ Jan 8th 2007 7:24AM
the AC/DC edition would be a Holden ute or wagon with a bench seat in the front and brown vinyl all round, and it would sell for $1500.
ps: rappers are so not monkeys in suits.
Radix @ Jan 8th 2007 11:51AM
^^^ rigghhtt.... I pretty sure if was a AC/DC or Dale Earnhardt JR edition with mudders and KC lights you'd be all over it
Car Designer @ Jan 8th 2007 1:31PM
megalon, is it safe to say that you not only have a bias against GM, but also towards black people? It is interesting that you speak of the 60's and 70's, perhaps a throwback to a simpler, happier life for you and your klan?
utsmokes @ Jan 8th 2007 2:11PM
well said "Car Designer".
Megalon you are pathetic... Live your life and let black folks live theirs. You also make some unfounded stereotypical assumptions reflecting your level of intelligence.
Like it or not, this is 2007 and NOT your happy "wholesome" white dominated 60s.
If it bothers you that much, buy a time machine.
Oh yes your mama is the monkey!!!
Ian @ Jan 9th 2007 11:41AM
Wow, boy do I love freedom of speech. Let the man do his thing. For Jay-Z to be a young black male doing it is just a bonus! I don't care what he has done, or what he will come to do in the future. A true professional businessman is what he is, and we would all be lucky to follow in his footsteps! Leading by example isn't one way to lead, it's the only way! Keep it up "J"
WillTheThrill @ Jan 10th 2007 11:54AM
Ah, the people who aren't getting all the attention anymore, post here. Rap today, goth tomorrow......who cares. Just because a talent figure you don't particularly like puts their name to something you start crying about it. Get over yourself! Don't worry, your type might come back in style again. Funny thing is, the urban scene has been one of the top dominating looks for oh, 30 years now. Look outside your retirement community windows, there are plenty of examples. And by urban I don't mean gang attire, there's more to urban than guns, bitches and ho's......you should get out of your hole more often!
Jay @ Jan 10th 2007 9:17PM
Yes, It's pathetic to think that people are still stuck back in the 50's. Megalon, U should have just said the "N" word bub, being the Grand Dragon of your local KKK and all. Jay-Z is a true businessman through and through. Budweiser, GM, The New Jersey Nets NBA team, his own Rap label and clothing line.....Sounds like somebody has their stuff together. And it sounds as if there is a little green monster inside of you called ENVY Megalon. Hate and Envy are the true roots of all evil. And oh yeah, a fully loaded Denali goes for about $55,000. I almost bought one and researched these 07 models for 3 months before purchasing a fully loaded 07 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ. Being this Limited Edition model will no doubt add a few more thousand to the price tag. Platinum dust in the blue paint? Super Saucy! Stay Ballin' Outta Control Mr. Shawn Carter (Jay-Z)! P.S. - Rap will never go away! It's been around for over 30 years now. That's not a fad. So get over it, go listen to your big band music and stick yourself. - BO$$ BU$INE$$
Lonnie @ Jan 16th 2007 3:04PM
The comments on here are crazy, the comments about rappers being monkeys in suits is crazy and is nothing more then a racist remark. Anyone one of us could say the same about drunken country singers or drug-out rock bands with no minds, rappers are not the only people on earth, so to make a remark like that proves that person to not have a mind, because that person has no respect for anyone. I believe it's all good, GMC made the right move, you gotta' do what you gotta' do, and all because it's not some guy with a traditional cowboy hat to go with the truck, people wanna get upset over it. This is directed towards megalon and people is right it's freedom of speech, but try that BS in real life and not internet life, get ya' head broken in, I don't care who you are, serial killer, kidnapper, doesn't matter, because I can be just as crazy. So your remarks megalon are nothing but BS talk you racist bitch.
parrisimo @ Mar 14th 2007 3:02PM
I thought this was about a new truck concept it seems that we have attracted a cowardly internet race instigator I hope he feels happy about his 2 min. of fame he recieved. This dude megafool is a nobody who probably couldn't afford the truck anyway. Hip Hop has brought races together. The truck may not be my style but damn jay-z helping americans by american, we all benifit from that even you megafool.
ED CARTER @ Mar 27th 2007 12:07PM
THEY GOT FAT WHILE WHILE WE STARVED NOW IT'S OUR TURN. WE GOT TO EXPAND NEXT IS THE CADDY DADDY LET THE HATERS HATE!!!!!!!!!!!
ED CARTER @ Apr 9th 2007 10:34AM
TELL THEM TO STEP THERE MAN GAME UP WE ARE GOING HEAVY IN PRODUCTION WITH THIS! IT'S TIME TO EXPAND I'M BACK UP BIG HOMEY