Rocawear 9IX

By Scott Tavener

amed wit, S.W., once quipped, "as long as they're skinny and smell good; or one or the other…" He was referring to his criteria for a potential consort. Olfactory allure is important. It's always disappointing when someone beautiful passes you on the street and leaves a fragrance-free wake; it drops them a couple of notches on your internal grading scale. One prefers a scentless lover to a smelly one but, ideally, romantic partners effuse a subtly charming aroma. Naturally, these rules have exceptions.

Occasionally, the smell of sweat can prove attractive. For instance, after a performer wanders off stage from a successful club gig and brings a slight work-won odor with her or him it can be a turn on. However, by the after party they had better revert to sweet-smelling.

Hip hop shows take a lot out of MCs. There are a lot more words in a hip hop track than your average rock song. Lights can be hot. Dealing with the pressures of perpetual soloing can be exigent. The taxing factors swell when you’re arguably the most famous rhyme spitter of your generation. Jay-Z requires a special kind of cologne.

Though Mr. Hova has stepped back from Rocawear, he still takes part in various aspects of operation. Purportedly, he inspired the brand's new cologne, 9IX. Placating ancient Romans and Wayne Gretzky fans alike, the nascent scent has an aesthetically pleasing name. More importantly, it has an olfactory-delighting scent.

As beards and plaid continue to grow in popularity, a rustic renaissance of sorts has begun. Thus, a manly, woody scent was inevitable. 9IX combines a sylvan-friendly aroma with exotic hints. Wood is on the marquee, but it's not intrusive or ostentatious. Furthermore, natural, fruity notes buoy it, but in a quiet, unassuming way.

Even 9IX's grey and black bottle and packaging have an understated machismo with a subtle strength. 9IX eau de toilette is the main draw and it's available in 3.4 fl. oz. and 1.7 fl. oz. bottles, retailing for $65 and $50 respectively. Also available: a deodorant stick ($16) and 6.8 fl. oz. shower gel ($25). -S.T.