Category: Music

Cam’ron is having second thoughts about taking part in the Verzuz battle between the Diplomats and the LOX.

During a recent episode of It Is What It Is, Cam, Ma$e, Maurice Clarett and host Treasure “Stat Baby” Wilson were discussing Lane Kiffin’s controversial decision to leave No. 6 Ole Miss as they get ready for the College Football Playoffs for SEC rival LSU and Stat Baby asked the panel if they ever had a tough decision to make. When it was Cam’s turn to answer the question, he brought up the Verzuz from 2021 where Dipset lost to the group out of Yonkers.

“I can name a lot of decisions that wasn’t good ’cause I was trying to be a team player,” Cam’ron answered. “I should’ve never did the Verzuz, I told n—as, ‘Don’t do the Verzuz.’ I told n—as, ‘I don’t wanna do the Verzuz.’ But I’m a team player and it was the wrong decision that I made. No more of that, no more of that, no more of that.”

He later added: “I tried to be team player a lot of times and that’s the first thing that came to my brain when you said, ‘Wrong decisions.” It was the wrong decision.”

Led by Jadakiss, the LOX famously beat the Harlem group consisting of Cam, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Freekey Zekey at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, with Kiss’ “Who Shot Ya?” freestyle being the knockout blow.

You can watch the full episode below.

Spotify has shared the top artists streamed in Canada, with rapper Drake taking the top spot, followed by Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen. Scarborough native The Weeknd comes in at No. 4, while Drake’s rival Kendrick Lamar ranks at No. 5. Two spots down at No. 7 is Canadian pop singer Tate McRae.

Despite Drizzy accusing the streaming service of contributing to an illegal “scheme” involving bots, payola and other methods to push Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” the Toronto rapper has maintained a spot at the top of listeners’ playlists.

Canada’s Top Artists of 2025

Morgan Wallen’s chart-topping I’m The Problem was the most-streamed album in Canada, followed by the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack and SZA’s lengthy SOS Deluxe: LANA.

The top album by a Canadian was Tate McRae’s So Close to What, which comes in at No. 4, while Drizzy’s team-up with fellow Canadian PARTYNEXTDOOR, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, ranks at No. 7. Despite releasing in October, Taylor Swift’s chart-topping album, The Life of a Showgirl, comes in at No. 10.

Canada’s Top Albums of 2025

Head here to read all about the Canadian most-streamed lists, including songs and Franco-Quebec artists and songs. — Heather Taylor-Singh

Marc Miller Named New Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture After Steven Guilbeault’s Abrupt Resignation

Canada has a new Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture.

As part of a cabinet shuffle this week, Marc Miller was appointed to fill a position made vacant on Nov. 27 when Steven Guilbeault resigned from the Mark Carney-led cabinet to protest the Prime Minister’s controversial energy deal with Alberta. Guilbeault was also Minister Responsible for Official Languages and Minister of Nature and Parks Canada, as well as Carney’s Lieutenant in Quebec.

The former Justin Trudeau-era minister was sworn in along with two other new ministers during a brief ceremony at Rideau Hall late Monday afternoon.

As Billboard Canada noted last week, the Ministry of Canadian Identity and Culture has a direct impact on the Canadian music industry via its administration of the recently-renewed Canada Music Fund, which supports both FACTOR and Musicaction. These granting bodies provide artists, labels and other organizations with funding for a wide range of activities, including recording, touring, marketing and music video production. Many in the industry, including the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), appealed to Guilbeault to act for the Canadian music industry during a pivotal moment.

Miller takes on his new role after the Heritage/Culture portfolio has seen a rapid turnover in recent years. 

The Canadian Live Music Association was quick to congratulate Miller, looking forward to “working together to unlock the full economic and cultural potential of Canada’s live music industry.”

“Live music is one of Canada’s strongest growth opportunities,” said Erin Benjamin, president & CEO of the CLMA. “With smart, modern policy, we can strengthen the touring infrastructure that allows artists to thrive, support local businesses in every region, and ensure more fans — from right here at home and around the world — have access to unforgettable live music experiences in their own communities. This is good for artists, it’s good for audiences, and it’s good for the Canadian economy.”

Read more on the new minister and what his appointment means to the Canadian music industry here. — Kerry Doole

Tate McRae’s ‘So Close to What’ Climbs Back to No. 2 on Billboard Canadian Albums Chart Following Deluxe Edition

Tate McRae is so close to a sweet victory on the chart — for the second time.

This week, the Canadian pop singer’s album, So Close to What, climbs from No. 10 to No. 2 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart on the chart dated Dec. 6. Its rise follows the release of So Close to What??? (Deluxe) last month, in which she added five extra tracks to the record.

Leading up to the deluxe album’s release, McRae released “Tit For Tat,” thought to be inspired by her breakup with fellow pop hitmaker The Kid LAROI. It became her third top-five hit on the Canadian Hot 100, debuting at No. 3, and this week, it rises from No. 23 to 16.

The remaining four SCTW deluxe tracks have arrived on the Canadian Hot 100 this week too, including “Nobody’s Girl” (No. 13), “Anything But Love” (No. 22), “Trying On Shoes” (No. 28) and “Horseshoe (No. 40).

Three tracks from the standard version have also re-entered the Canadian Hot 100: “Miss Possessive,” “Dear God” and “Siren Sounds” — at No. 84, No. 86 and No. 93, respectively.

So Close to What scored the Calgary native her first No. 1 on Canadian Albums in March, following the project’s release, sitting at the top for two weeks. It made waves in the U.S., too, claiming the top spot for one week.

Read more on this feat and more from the Billboard Canadian charts here. — HTS

MGK‘s show in Rosemont, Illinois, on Thursday night was part concert, part friendship love fest, with Halsey surprising the crowd by joining her longtime pal on stage for an electric performance of “Bad Things.”

At one of the final 2025 dates of the rapper-turned-rocker’s Lost Americana tour, the pop star came out for an unexpected duet on MGK’s nine-year-old Billboard Hot 100 hit “Bad Things.” “Am I out of my head? Am I out of my mind?/ If you only knew the bad things I like,” Halsey sang, taking over Camila Cabello’s part on the song. “Don’t think that I can explain it/ What can I say? It’s complicated.”

While she was onstage with him, MGK gave a sweet speech honoring how his friend has overcome numerous health struggles in recent years, including lupus and a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. “I wanna give flowers to this amazing woman, who’s had a very, very, very tough couple of years,” he said as Halsey blushed. “Health scares that I got to personally watch her fight through, and I don’t know if we’ve acknowledged that enough, how much you mean to music, and how much you mean to me as a friend.”

“Seeing you that way during the time, and seeing you now …,” MGK added in clips captured by fans at the show. “I mean, this girl is still going through chemotherapy and fighting every day, and she’s out here crushing it.”

Halsey has been open about facing difficult health challenges, revealing in 2024 that they’d been diagnosed with lupus and T-cell disorder two years prior. Before embarking on her own Back to Badlands Tour in October, the singer underwent another round of chemotherapy.

MGK and Halsey have been friends for years, teaming up in 2020 on “Forget Me Too” for the former’s Tickets to My Downfall album. In 2022, Halsey appeared on stage with MGK at his Mainstream Sellout Tour show in Los Angeles.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

The final season of Stranger Things premiered on Netflix on November 26 and the hit sci-fi series is teaming up with a number of fashion and lifestyle brands to mark the occasion.

GAP just unveiled a retro-themed Stranger Things collection with 80s-inspired denim, T-shirts and sweats, while footwear brand Aldo debuted a collection of whimsical Stranger Things shoes and bags earlier this fall. But perhaps the buzziest release was the latest collaboration between Nike and Netflix, with the Stranger Things x Nike Dunk Low sneaker, which dropped November 6.

The sneakers, which retailed for $155, quickly sold out on the Nike site and they are only available now on resale sites like Stockx, as of this writing.

Nike Dunk Low x “Stranger Things”

$259

Buy Now ON STOCKX

The distressed navy and white sneakers are the latest release in the Nike x Stranger Things collab, which was first introduced in 2019, and included footwear and apparel inspired by the show (previous models in the collaboration are also available starting from $115 on StockX.com).

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Though the Stranger Things Dunk Low is no longer available on the Nike site, fans can still pick up a couple of new pieces in stock from the collaboration. One of them is this pair of Nike x Stranger Things sweatpants, available now at JDSports.com. The elastic sweatpants feature upside-down Nike graphics and vintage color-blocking, with a Stranger Things tab at the side.

ACT FAST

Nike x Stranger Things NRG Woven Pants

$100

Buy Now AT JD SPORTS

The sweatpants are made from a polyester material with just a touch of sheen and available in sizes small to 2XL.

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Complete the look with the matching windbreaker, which also features the chevron blue and white color-blocking, reworked Nike logo and a Stranger Things tab. An adjustable hood and water-repellent material help to keep you dry.

Nike x Stranger Things NRG Windrunner Jacket

$120

Buy Now AT JD SPORTS

JD Sports says the collab “fuses Nike’s technical edge with Hawkins-inspired style.” Choose from sizes small to 2XL but hurry — this piece is selling out fast.

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Can’t get your hands on one of the official Stranger Things Nike pieces? There are a ton of similar items or alternatives available online too. One of them is this Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever jersey, re-worked with a Stranger Things-inspired twist.

Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever x ‘Stranger Things’ 2025 Rebel Edition

$100

Buy Now AT NIKE

The Fever’s normal red, gold and blue jersey is re-imagined in the red, white and black colorway of the new Stranger Things season, and nods to the show run throughout the piece, from claw marks from the demogorgons in the Upside Down, to 80s-style red splatter paint detailing. The Caitlin Clark Stranger Things jersey is available in sizes XS to XXL.

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Another official piece in the Nike x Stranger Things collection is this unisex crewneck sweatshirt, which features a slightly oversized fit and a cozy brushed fleece construction. The navy sweatshirt features the phrase “Friends Don’t Lie,” one of Eleven’s (Millie Bobby Brown) most iconic lines from the show. The caption “All Strangers Welcome” sits below the main graphic.

Nike x ‘Stranger Things’ Fleece Crew

$80

Buy Now AT NICE KICKS

The back of the unisex sweatshirt features large Nike lettering running from shoulder to shoulder.

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Looking for more Stranger Things-inspired pieces from Nike? We like this New York Knicks “Halloween” T-shirt, which applies the same eerie vibe of Stranger Things to the Knicks basketball logo. Though it’s branded as a “Halloween” tee, this is a shirt you can really wear year-round. The lived-in look and feel, and relaxed fit, adds to the vintage appeal.

Nike Knicks Halloween NBA Max90 T-Shirt

$45

Buy Now AT NIKE

This unisex tee is available in sizes small to 3XL. Nike also sells a similar T-shirt style for the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors.

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And you can keep the 80s vibes going with this vintage-inspired Jordan Brooklyn tee, which features a stylized graphic of Michael Jordan slam dunking a basketball, along with the year 1985 etched in bright orange letters, marking the year the NBA star broke into the league.

Jordan Brooklyn Oversized Graphic T-Shirt

The front of the T-shirt features the same Jordan and net and backboard graphic, along with an orange Air Jordan logo. Pick this up in sizes XS to 3XL.

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The final season of Stranger Things premieres with the first four episodes out on November 26, followed by three episodes on Christmas Day.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

With the holiday season finally here, it’s that time of year to buy your new or old beau a thoughtful gift. Whether it’s a sentimental item or a splurge-worthy present, the best gifts for boyfriends will undoubtedly make him grin.

The Best Gifts for Boyfriends, At a Glance:

Gift shopping can be hard, so here at ShopBillboard, we’ve compiled a list of memorable, stylish and exciting products that’ll make him fall in love with you all over again. From tech-savvy electronics and gamer-ready consoles and accessories, to stylish wardrobe boosters, to fun home good gifts to spruce up his apartment, there’s something for every boyfriend out there.

As we inch closer to the holidays, we’ll continue to update our gift guide with even more must-have presents to make his Christmas, birthday, anniversary or any other occasion even more special. Shop the best gifts for boyfriends below.

For the Tech-Savvy Boyfriend

Is your man into electronics? There are plenty of fantastic tech gifts that’ll have him thinking he’s Iron Man this holiday season. From Apple’s stylish AirPods Max headphones, to Sonos impressive Era 300 speaker to LARQ’s smart water bottle, shop our favorite gadgets below.

Meta Quest 3 VR

Buy Now on best buy $499.99 $499.99

Tap into virtual reality to play blockbuster video games or stream your favorite shows and movies through a variety of dynamic environments.

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Apple TV 4K

$129.99

Buy Now on doordash

Let him watch all his favorite shows and movies in stunning 4K Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

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Remarkable Paper Pro Move

$599 $638 6% off

Buy Now on remarkable

Note taking never felt better or cooler then on a Remarkable tablet. For the serious note taker, this gift will offer sleek, responsive writing on a and slim enough design that it can slip in a jacket pocket.

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Hypervolt 2 Pro

$349

Buy Now on hyperice

Beat those muscles into submission with the Hypervolt massage gun. If he’s into working out, have your man warming up faster and recover like a pro with an impressive deep tissue massage.

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Apple AirPods Max

$454.48 $549 17% off

Buy Now on Walmart

Apple’s entry into the world of premium headphones is a pricey one, but the Airpods Max deliver rich, detailed sound with incredible active noise-cancelling. For the fashionistas, these over-ear headphones have also become a staple style accessory with its catchy modern design and variety of color options.

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GoPro HERO12 Black

$369.00

Buy Now On Amazon

Let him live out his action-sport fantasies and capture all his highlights with a GoPro. The HERO12 Black can capture Ultra HD video with HDR, 27MP photos, as well as, live streaming capabilities and impressive image stabilization.

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Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarer Smart Glasses

$224.25 $299 25% off

Buy Now on best buy

Step into the future with the most stylish AI-powered device.

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Sonos Era 300 Speaker

$479

Buy Now on sonos

Its simple minimalistic design makes the Sonos Era 300 an easy fit in most rooms. It delivers expansive stereo sound and immersive spatial audio to fill up any room you place it in. It can also pair with other Sonos speakers for an immersive home theater set up.

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For the Musician Boyfriend

Help him tap into his artistic side with essential gifts for music lovers, including a stylish Pro-Ject turntable, a premium Fendor guitar and a top-performing Tonor mic for audio recording.

Personalized Platinum & Gold LP Record

$168

Buy Now on uncommon goods

A platinum record they will never forget.

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Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB Turntable

$449

Buy Now on sonos

For the vinyl lover in your life, this stylish turntable can easily be the focus point of a living room with its eye-catching satin walnut detailing. It can also pair with most bluetooth speakers, especially Sonos for a high-quality audio experience.

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Fendor Classic Vibe Custom Esquire Guitar

$473.99

Buy Now on fendor

If he likes to rock out, this Fendor will have his inner Jimi Hendrix ready to rip a solo. This specific old-school inspired guitar is a special tribute to the double-bound body Esquire models of the late ’50s and ’60s. It features an innovative 3-position blade switch providing versatile tone settings including tone control bypass, variable tone control, as well as a pre-set tone capacitor for bass-y warmth.

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TONOR USB Microphone

$31.99

Buy Now On Amazon

For great audio capture, you’ll want to invest in a proper mic like this TONOR USB model, which will help capture recordings with as little background interference as possible. It comes with a foldable three-legged stand that has a detachable shock absorber, and just needs to be plugged in to get connected and recording ready.

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Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB Audio Interface

$219

Buy Now on amazon

An absolute non-negotiator is to include an audio interface in his home studio set up. If you’re new, then the Scarlett interface is great entry level option

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LEGO Icons Retro Radio Building Set

$99.80

Buy Now On Amazon

Put his hands to good use by crafting this detailed replica of a 1970s radio with LEGO Icons Retro Radio building set. With 906 pieces this will keep him pretty busy, and when he’s done, mount the device on a table for a stylish vintage decor look. It also features sound effects and a compartment with a smartphone holder to simulate a working radio.

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For the Gamer Boyfriend

Let his gamer side shine with the most popular gaming consoles and accessories currently out. From the next-gen PlayStation 5 to the newly-release Nintendo Switch 2, there’s plenty of fun gems to satisfy his gaming craze.

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

$549

Buy Now on walmart

Upgrade him to next-gen gaming with the most popular gaming console. With an expansive library of exclusive games like the ‘Last of Us’, ‘Spider-Man 2’ and ‘Astro Bot’, he won’t leave the couch for hours.

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Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle

$499

Buy Now on walmart

Armed with a vivid and brilliant 7.9-inch LCD display with HDR (High Dynamic Range) support, the Nintendo Switch 2 is great gaming option for anyone looking to game on the go or at home. Paired with Mario Kart World, he may never put down the joycons.

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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset

$299.99 $349.99 14% off

Buy Now on walmart

Level up his gaming audio with ultra-detailed sound with neodymium magnetic drivers, delivering crystal clear highs, pinpoint mids, and deep bass. It also includes active noise cancellation that’ll automatically detect and eliminate distracting background audio.

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Backbone One Controller

$99.99

Buy Now On Amazon

$99.99

Buy Now on backbone

Turn your phone into a gaming console and controller with this popular handheld device.

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Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Keyboard

$189.99

Buy Now on walmart

Enhance his PC gaming with light, balanced keystrokes with satisfying acoustics, thanks to a gasket-mounted FR4 plate, tape-enhanced PCB, lubricated stabilizers, and sound-dampening foam. You’ll never hear him mashing keys again.

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For the Stylish Boyfriend

Have your man dressed to impress with these menswear staples. Shop classic Air Jordan sneakers, stylish denim jeans, harrington jackets and even vintage Prince merch.

Timex Waterbury Classic 40mm Watch

$123.96 $150.00 17% off

Buy Now On Amazon

An Apple Watch is great, but sometimes a classic watch silhouette will make an outfit feel more sophisticated. This Timex watch is gift that will keep on giving for years to come.

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Nike Air Jordan 5 Retro “Fire Red Black Tongue” sneakers

$215

Buy Now on nike

Jordan’s will never go out of style, and your beau will surely covet this classic “fire red” colorway forever.

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Prince ‘Purple Rain’ T-Shirt

$17.52

Buy Now On Amazon

It’s a Prince “Purple Rain” tee, what more is there to say? This is a must-cop for any music fan out there.

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Kevin Garnett Black Minnesota Timberwolves Maxxed Out Hockey Jersey

$160

Buy Now on Mitchell & Ness

If he loves basketball and hockey, this NBA throwback-inspired NHL jersey is a great mesh of both worlds. Even if he’s not a Timberwolves fan, he can’t deny how stylish this top is, especially with the old school Wolves logo.

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Lee Legendary Relaxed Straight Jean

$48.95

Buy Now on Lee

Every guy needs a great pair of jeans in their closet and Lee’s relaxed fit jean is an essential for anyone looking to build out a wardrobe. This crisp “night shade” pair gives a throwback ’90s straight leg feel that be styled in many ways.

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Tecovas Cartwright Boot

$345

Buy Now on Tecovas

Every guy needs at least one pair of cowboy boots in their rotation.

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Flint and Tinder Waxed Harrington Jacket

$248

Buy Now on huckberry

A classic outerwear staple that add a little Oxford prep to his wardrobe.

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Nike Dunk Low Retro Sneakers

$82.97 $120 31% off

Buy Now at nike

Nike’s “Panda” Dunks are a classic gift for sneaker lovers.

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For the Homebody Boyfriend

Here’s a few home good products that will spruce up his home and make staying over even more enjoyable.

Wonder Oven Pro

An eye-catching air fryer that has bigger capacity, sleeker digital controls, and eight functions in one over its predecessor.

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Ralph’s Coffee Barista Polo Bear Mug

$25

Buy Now on ralph lauren

For the barista lover in your life that’s serving up hot lattes and even hotter fits.

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P.F. Candle Co. Spruce Scent Soy Glass Jar Candle

$23.29

Buy Now on staples

Liven up his place with a relaxing and earthy scent.

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Vitruvi Stone Diffuser

$103.99 $129.99 20% off

Buy Now on vitruvi

Give his place a much needed scent boost with the viral diffuser from Vitruvi. Grab you favorite essential oils like lavender and eucalyptus and transform his living room into your own personal spa.

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Yeti Rambler Cocktail Shaker

$60

Buy Now on REI

That Martini isn’t going to shake its self.

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Rocco Super Smart Fridge

Buy Now on rocco $1795 $1795

The viral fridge has taken over social media for its mid-century modern aesthetic, vibrant colorways, and its impressive smart tech features. It can easily be the centerpiece of a living room and can store all of your drink cans, beers, wine and champagne bottles. You can also control temperature and lighting while keeping track of your inventory straight from the app.

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Eames: Beautiful Details book

$45.49 $65.00 30% off

Buy Now On Amazon

For the boyfriend who has an Eames chair and loves to watch home video tours on Architectural Digest.

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Steele Permanent Style Bag Caddie

$169.95

Buy Now on Steele canvas

Doing laundry isn’t the most attractive hobby, but when you get to wheel around this stylish caddie, he’ll have his (and your) laundry done and folded in no time. The caddie is also customizable with different canvas and rim colors for a more personalized look.

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For more gift options, see our picks for the best gifts for music lovers, best Lego gifts, tech gifts and viral gifts from Walmart.