The Los Angeles Auto Show in 2023

The Los Angeles Auto Show, once a dazzling spectacle of automotive innovation, has seen better days, with fewer manufacturers participating and less exciting debuts. However, one standout attraction this year is an iconic custom vehicle that’s sure to catch the eyes of car enthusiasts and pop culture fans alike: the modified Maybach 57S featured in Kanye West and Jay-Z's legendary “Otis” music video.

The Impact of the 'Otis' Video

Originally released on August 11, 2011, as part of their critically acclaimed album “Watch the Throne,” the “Otis” track sampled Otis Redding's “Try a Little Tenderness.” The music video, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Spike Jonze, portrays Kanye and Jay-Z dramatically transforming the Maybach with power tools before performing thrilling drifts in a shipping yard. This audacious display left car lovers buzzing, and its impact was felt across social media—essentially 'breaking the internet'.

Lyrical Significance and Auction History

The song also boasts one of hip-hop’s most memorable automotive lines: 'They ain’t see me ‘cause I pulled up in my other Benz, last week I was in my other other Benz.' This lyrical gem further solidifies the song’s place in automotive culture.

Surprisingly, the chopped-up Maybach from this unforgettable video still exists! It was sold at an auction held by Phillips de Pury & Co. in New York the following year for $60,000, far below its estimated value of $100,000 to $150,000, but all the proceeds went to charity, which is a silver lining. Since then, the car's journey is somewhat of a mystery; the exact timeline of its acquisition by West Coast Customs remains unclear. What is certain is that it retains the wild aesthetic it had in the video—complete with a trunk that’s cleverly repurposed as a hood and myriad quirky features that prioritize flair over safety.

Visit the West Coast Customs Booth

Visitors to this year’s auto show between now and December 1 will definitely want to make a stop at the West Coast Customs booth to see this automotive masterpiece up close. While there are other notable attractions—like Paris Hilton’s vibrant pink Bentley Continental GT—the Maybach remains the pièce de résistance. The auto show also features a range of new models debuting for the first time, but nothing can compare to the electric energy of the Otis Maybach. Don’t miss your chance to witness a piece of music history!