As a fan of Hip-Hop music, you need a method to listen to your favorite songs. In 2002, Georgia native William Siveter, discovered his preferred device for listening. And that device was the Apple iPod.
In the following years, Siveter became a fanatic of Steve Jobs’ MP3 player. He relentlessly kept up with the latest limited edition devices, buying from different connections around the US via the internet. Even buying doubles when possible.
As Apple discontinued the MP3 player this year, it sent prices for early generations skyrocketing. Nostalgia fever swept eBay and William Siveter’s iPod collection soared in value, increasing some of his device’s values by over 100-times past the original retail price.
In this exclusive interview, Siveter details his iPod collection, venturing into Cryptocurrency with his new earnings, and knowledge of 2000s Hip-Hop. Follow his official Facebook and
#1
Hello Mr. Siveter and thanks for taking the time with us. I’d like to start off with two basic questions. The hype around your iPod-flipping story makes me hear 50 Cent’s song “I Get Money” in my head.
So how many Apple IPods did you own before selling and what was the highest iPod of value?
William’s response:
I owned a little over 70 iPods in all. I’ve sold over 30 at this point.
The highest value of my sales — I can’t discuss this but I will say the generation 1 and the Jimi Hendrix ipods I had. They were enough to sponsor my global adventure with my wife this summer.
Keep in mind I had a mint condition Hendrix iPod and the generation ones were selling for nearly $30,000 (confirmed here). I had a couple of those. I’d def say they were my highest value. But the Hendrix price was about a collector who had a lot of crypto wealth and spotted my other interviews somehow.
#2
That’s possibly $75,000+ in sales Am I right?
William’s response:
I’ll let you judge that. You’re smart.
#3
I get it. [laughing]
Your interest in iPods came from being a huge music fan, correct? And a big part of that was Hip-Hop and Rap?
William’s response:
Yes. I enjoy various forms of music but in the early days, I was definitely more Hip-Hop and Pop. Being from Augusta, Georgia I followed the Atlanta rap scene heavily.
#4
Atlanta had begun to put a tight grip on the rap scene then. Who were your favorite artists?
William’s response:
I was playing sports and was a gym rat as a teenager. I was in the weight room and gym heavily at this time. Crunk music was everything to the sports teams back then. I listened to more than Atlanta but where I’m from, we looked up to ‘The A’ and songs like “Damn” could turn a weight room into a zoo.
And I don’t know 2002 exactly but I remember Ying Yang Twins, Baby D, Lil Jon, Lil Scrappy, YoungBloodz, Ghetto Mafia, Outkast, Goodie Mob, Cool Breeze, Jeezy breaking out. A lot of great memories of keeping my iPod loaded with that music.
#5
Did you listen to artists from other areas as well?
William’s response:
Of course. Hip-Hop without New York wouldn’t make sense. Cam’ron and the Dip Set, Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Nelly, Trick Daddy, UGK, Ice Cube, and all of these names were also in my early IPod generations.
#6
Being that there were limited edition iPod designs for people like Madonna and No Doubt, do you feel Apple should have also done one for rap legends?
William’s response:
Absolutely. Not even a question. 2Pac should’ve had an iPod design. His unrelenting voice was the epitome of free speech. Pac died in a way that didn’t put the proper value on his legacy. Death due to his keeping ties to under-served & over-oppressed communities. But still, he never stopped speaking his mind, even in the face of the most ignorant subcultures of America — Places where death is almost certain if you’re honest. His soul was incredible.
#7
Deep thoughts. And dwelling on the music a little bit. Are there any unknown artists that you kept on your iPods?
William’s response:
Yes. I actually downloaded music from Gillie The Kid’s group, Major FIggas. And was also into the group Philly’s Most Wanted. Singles like “Please Don’t Mind’ were smooth singles I really got into.
I used to keep up with a Clemson University DJ — I think he was DJ Jihad. He put me onto a South Carolina rapper named C.KHiD. He represented something pure from the South and was the first rap artist from the Carolinas, Georgia, or Alabama that I saw go viral. His singles “Won’t Stop” and “I Want This World” were big in my play.
The college years of music.
#8
I’ve only heard of Gilllie from all of those names. I’ll have to look up the others.
William’s response:
You should. The music’s always worth it.
#9
Jumping back to the Apple iPod’s collection. You sold over 30 and 3 were valued at over $60,000. Sites estimate your collection to be valued at over a quarter-million dollars. Is this accurate?
William’s response:
Yes, I’d agree. My collection of over 70 was worth well over $250k at the height of the nostalgia trend.
#10
What do you plan to do with the new found earnings? Is it true you are heavily interested in cryptocurrency
William’s response:
Yes, it’s clearly the future. I want to have a healthy investment in tokens before the final hoo-rah and prices are stabilized. Once society regulates and normalizes digital currencies, I expect the opportunity to grab profits out of today’s volatile markets will be gone.
#11
What coins are you planning to invest in?
William’s response:
I’m interested in Ethereum because of its Utility. There are many ways the token will be used.
Bitcoin will be the store of value. Globally, people will use this token to keep their physical currency a-k-a fiat money from losing value.
I’m going with the SHA token by Safe Haven because of their Inheriti and Atomic Swap technologies. Not going to over-invest, as this is riskier.
Shiba Inu, is another risk but I think their brand is so strong it’s undeniably useful. There are Millions of people who are supporting this brand and pushing to make it of higher value. The brand is worth more than its current token value.
#12
Can you explain that Bitcoin, store of value concept a bit more.
William’s response:
For example, someone from Venezuela can buy Bitcoin today with Bolivares and if the Bolivar goes down in value against the dollar, Bitcoin will still be the same value as before. The same with Pesos, Euros, Pounds, Yen, etc.
# 13
And what about this Shiba Inu token? How is the SHIB brand worth more than the current token value?
William’s response:
Just an opinion. And it’s a risk. But take Reebok for instance. The shoe is not worn as much as it was before. Sales are down. But the brand is so strong that Shaquille O’Neal bought it. Why? Because he knows the brand is of such high value, it’s all about finding the proper way to apply the name to get its value to go up.
SHIB is the same. Many Web3, NFT, and MetaVerse projects will find a way to use this token. Why? Simply to cross-promote their own project and get the SHIB audience behind it.
With one good idea, in these early stages of Cryptocurrency and Metaverse, SHIB can turn into a powerhouse overnight. A firm believer in this but it’s only an opinion and risk I’m taking for myself.
#14
That’s an understandable theory. It seems like you’ve studied cryptos a bit. Can you name off any of today’s influential rappers and Urban icons that are involved with Cryptos, for others to follow?
William’s response:
There’s a lot going on with Hip-Hop culture and cryptos. Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey have a Bitcoin foundation in Africa. They have millions in Bitcoin.
DDG has investments in Bitcoin at a minimum. Akon has the cryptocity he’s developing in Africa.
Nipsey Husle had an unknown amount in Bitcoin before his passing. It’s rumored the value of his Crypto portfolio is or was close to $100-million-dollars in value at its height.
Snoop Dogg has many NFT projects. Kanye West says he will be surprising people with his projects in crypto and the Metaverse.
Even Floyd Mayweather got paid by Ethreum Max to promote their brand.
The list is very long and too much for one interview. And it will keep growing. I think the blog Crypto Coin Opps has been keeping up with a lot of Hip-Hop culture’s moves in crypto.
#15
Good tip off there. Thanks for letting us have this interview Mr Siveter. Time is precious for you as you travel with your wife. We appreciate the time you’ve given. Any closing words?
William’s response:
Well, it’s pretty incredible to see the interest that people have developed in my story. I appreciate you all. My question for you, is how did your blog find out about William Siveter?
#16
We first saw the CryptoMode.com interview and it drew my interest. I showed it to team members and we wanted to know your connections to Hip-Hop and cryptos.
William’s response:
They have a big reach. I had no clue that would reach so many. Thanks!
For more on Mr. Siveter. Follow his official Facebook or Instagram (@Bill_Siveter).
