hip hop is known for it's rationality and frugality when it comes to buying things.

like 30" diamond studded wheels.

They even sell the emulation software, for like 0, and show easily it can be used on a mac/pc. I guess the hardware version is just more portable and it glows. Plus it has that stylin "grill"

00? you could get an MPC 1000 for that, or two used MPC2000's.

I have an MPC 1000. Its cool to have. I know softwares are cheaper, but I love the feel of a real drum machine. But Akai does have an awesome looking midi controller for that.

I got an old 2000 recently and even though it's 10 years out of date and can't do most things software can, it's so much more comfortable to work with than Ableton Live it's shocking. I haven't used the computer for anything music related beyond some processing/synthesis and file management in months, just MPC2000 and reel to reel.

Hey, if an independent company can produce something better than whoever owns the Akai name these days, I'm all for it. Maybe they can affrord better advertisements some day.

UPDATE: apparently (in addition to the hardware not existing in any form except for a single early prototype shown in a video or two), there's a multi-level marketing system involved, there's a very high probability that the people talking it up on forums are early recruits into that and are trying to hype people up for when the hardware (theoretically) arrives and they start selling it. Just in general, there's a lot of shady business going on here, one of the owners of the company set up some sock puppet accounts to talk it up on a few gear forums recently etc.