If It’s Hip It’s Here – International Daily News

Pharrell Williams’ collection is vast, and in 2009 it included a diamond-flooded Rubik’s Cube. (photo: Jason Goldwatch)

There’s a Hip Hop ice exhibit featuring serious bling made for and worn by some of the greatest Hip Hop artists of all time now showing at the American Museum of Natural History

Hip Hop Ice Exhibit at the AMNH

Photograph of Slick Rick by Janette Beckman, Courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery — Photograph of Slick Rick donning his crown and more by Janette Beckman, Courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery

Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry is currently showing at the American Museum of Natural History through early next year. The exhibit features pieces that trace the history of hip-hop from the 1980s to today and celebrate the genre’s cultural influence through some serious iced-out jewelry worn by some of its iconic stars.

Biggie and his Jesus pieces — Biggie’s Jesus pieces, seen here in 1997, began a trend. Jay-Z, who owns one of them, once wrote that he wears it when he records an album. (photo: Michael Lavine)

A$AP Rocky Lego pendant — This playful Lego pendant, designed for A$AP Rocky by Alex Moss X Pavē in 2022, is made of 14-karat gold with multicolored diamonds, sapphire, ruby, and enamel. Photographed by Alvaro Keding/© AMNH.

Highlights include Slick Rick’s dazzling crown, the Notorious B.I.G.’s legendary gold ‘Jesus piece,’ the diamond-studded Roc-A-Fella medallion for the record label co-founded by Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj’s sparkling ‘Barbie’ pendant, and pieces from Erykah Badu, A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, FERG, and Tyler, the Creator, among others.

greatest hip hop female emcees — Designed by Johnny Nelson, this custom 14-karat gold necklace features some of the greatest female MCs of all time; Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, and Erykah Badu. Photographed by Alvaro Keding/© AMNH

Nikki Minaj's iconic Barbie Pendant made by Ashna Mehta in 2022 — Nikki Minaj’s iconic Barbie Pendant made by Ashna Mehta in 2022 features over 54 carats of diamonds in 18k gold. It’s one of many variations owned by the artist. Photo © AMNH

Building on New York City’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop as a global phenomenon, Ice Cold will highlight the evolution of jewelry in hip-hop over the past five decades, starting with oversized gold chains embraced by rap’s pioneers in the 1980s and moving through the 1990s, when emcees turned business moguls sported record label pendants sparkling with diamonds and platinum.

Adidas gold pendants for Run DMC — Adidas created special gold pendants for the members of Run DMC because they’d brought so much attention to the brand. photo © AMNH

Erykah Badu. Grills by @LillianShalom Photographed by Tony Krash, courtesy of Vogue — Erykah Badu. Grills by @LillianShalom Photographed by Tony Krash, photo courtesy of Vogue

The exhibition will be on view in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery, within the Museum’s new Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, and is included with all admission.

Bad Bunny diamond grill — Designed for Bad Bunny by ALLIGATOR JESUS (David Tamargo) in 2023, this grill set features 14-karat white gold with sparkling diamonds and rhodium plating. Photographed by Alvaro Keding/© AMNH

Cam’ron’s spinning-globe charm had a motor and 100 carats worth of diamonds, some spelling out “Killa Cam Harlem World.” (photo: Phil Knott)

taschen book hip hop jewelry — An accompanying book boasts 40 years of iconic imagery and compelling stories, this visual history shines a light on the world of hip-hop

A stunning book with photography by Wolfgang Tillmans and David LaChapelle from Taschen was made to accompany the exhibit. It was compiled and edited by Vikki Tobak, a guest curator at the American Museum of Natural History. It’s hard back and simply beautiful.