![]() It’s no secret that many business owners and executives in the jewelry industry can’t keep up with the new demands for unique hip-hop jewelry styles. Rather than lying outside the realm of mainstream fashion, hip-hop fashion started to shape mainstream jewelry trends. These jewelry trends continued to expand and develop through the 2000s, making them one of the most talked-about styles of jewelry in pop culture. The Notorious B.I.G, Jay-Z, and Lil Kim started popularizing religious pendants, while female rappers such as Roxanne Shanté and the group Salt-N-Pepa popularized oversized gold earrings. Diddy (one of our celebrity customers!), and Missy Elliot made gold chains a desirable style even to those outside of hip-hop, while others continued to develop new styles. Platinum chains and diamonds became the new trend. In the 1990s, rap became tremendously successful. LL Cool J became one of the first to popularize four-fingered rings, and Biz Markie brought it up a level when he added diamonds to the mix. As the genre started gaining traction, the real jewelry became more diverse. ![]() Initially, early hip-hop gold jewelry styles such as gold rope chains gained popularity, but mostly among other hip-hop artists. It showed the world the power of those it had been neglecting. Wearing the most eye-catching gold chains, rings, and sneakers wasn’t for the simple sake of materialism-it gave hope to other aspiring, low-income artists. Those who were successful proved that they could defy the challenges stacked against them. It provided new values that challenged a system that worked against them. Created by African Americans, Latin Americans and Caribbean Americans and in the Bronx, NYC, hip-hop fused art and resistance. The hip-hop movement began as an art form for groups that were marginalized and oppressed. ![]() While his chains were thin by Mansa Musa’s standards, they showed off a kind of wealth that was even more important than money success. When Blow came out with the first certified gold hip-hop record, he celebrated his successful breakthrough by wearing gold chains on his groundbreaking album cover. Bedecked in layers of gold chains, rings, bracelets, wearing a crown, and carrying a gold scepter, the man was so rich he was giving gold away to villagers (earning him fans but wrecking the economy).ĥ00 years later, rappers Slick Rick and Big Daddy Kane would start wearing crowns and holding scepters, but it was Kurtis Blow who paved the way. ![]() The auction was organized in collaboration with Monica Lynch, former president of Tommy Boy Records (1981-1998) who helped launch the careers of legends that include Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force, Queen Latifah, De La Soul, and Naughty by Nature.Rick Ross’s iced-out self-portrait gold face chain might be the most expensive piece of rapper jewelry right now, but it would pale in comparison to the gold jewelry of the richest man who ever lived - Mansa Musa, King of the West African Empire.Īlthough unfortunately, in the 14th century, Mansa Musa didn’t have any performers who were down with the king and could rock a rhyme with him, he was dressing like he was ready to bust a flow. Dre’s shiny World Class Wreckin’ Cru “Wrapped in Romance” suit and a cover study for De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising album.Īn undisclosed portion of Sotheby’s proceeds will benefit the Queens Public Library Foundation, to support their Hip Hop Programs, coordinated by “Uncle” Ralph McDaniels, as well as Building Beats, a non-profit community organization that teaches tech, entrepreneurial and leadership skills to underserved youth through DJ and music programs. Opal Lee, Niko Brim, and Sierato in honor of Juneteenth Holiday Campaign Dr. Other items of note in the sale included a complete run of The Source magazine Salt-N-Pepa’s famous “Push It” jackets an archive of love letters written by teenage Tupac Shakur’s a pair of custom Air Force 1 by Ms. Johnny Nelson, Ladies First Mount Rushmore Reimagined ring that failed to sell Sotheby's ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |