Maybach, a name synonymous with unrestrained luxury and craftsmanship, has joined forces with Indian rapper and style icon Badshah for an exclusive limited-edition eyewear collection. Every piece from the MAYBACH x Badshah collection represents Badshah’s personal journey and celebrates the rich culture and heritage of India, while also focusing on Maybach’s craftsmanship.
Known for his carefully curated world of luxury, from Audemars Piguet and Rolex timepieces to customised supercars like Lamborghini and Bentley, Badshah has long been celebrated for reshaping India’s musical landscape on a global level.
In a conversation with Robb Report India, Badshah speaks about the vision behind the collection, the stories embedded in each design, and what luxury truly means to him beyond glitter and gloss.
Robb Report: This is the first time in Maybach history that someone outside the founding family has led a global collection. What did this mean to you personally?
Badshah: Everything. To be able to put your name next to a brand like Maybach. It validates your hard work and perseverance in your own brand. It feels good, besides the fact that it is a great product.
RR: The Artist 3 and the King 3 are the hero pieces of this collaboration. What inspired these two signature designs, and what were you trying to express in each?
Badshah: For me, every piece is like a personal journey. Taking inspiration from India, each design pays homage to the country’s landscapes, drawing from its environment and wildlife. While we were developing ideas, I could see the team getting a little tense. We had never done a camouflage before. I thought, all the more reason to do one. No matter what we put behind it, it has to come out beautifully. The rejection rate is almost 60 to 70 per cent, so the pieces you see are the best of multiple trials. Just to be able to put my name next to Maybach is a real achievement. There is a lot of thought behind every detail. The soundwave design on the back, the way it hugs the structure, every element is carefully considered.
RR: The King 3 series pays homage to India’s natural landscapes and wildlife, from the Himalayas to India’s tigers. What drove your decision to honour them?
Badshah: I come from a beautiful land, and if I get a canvas, I want to paint a picture there. We used green and white camouflage to reflect India’s greenery and snow-capped mountains. The Snow Camouflage edition mirrors the Himalayas’ icy terrain with crisp white and grey hues, while another camouflage variant represents India’s dense jungles and highlights the importance of nature preservation and tiger protection. Completing the trio is the Tigers of India model, a bold, bright-orange design honouring India’s majestic tigers. Maybach had never done camouflage before. It pushed boundaries, and that is how great products are born.
RR: On a personal level, what does luxury mean to you?
Badshah: It means getting really close to perfection.
RR: When you think of luxury on wheels, what comes to mind? Does your vision of automotive luxury go beyond just the vehicle itself?
Badshah: For me, personally, luxury on wheels is only about 3 things: Comfort, privacy, and individuality.
RR: Luxury in India has transformed over the past few years. How do you see its future?
Badshah: I think it is very individualistic. Representing your culture, staying true to it, and longevity are all essential parts of being truly luxurious.
