Ice cold : a hip-hop jewelry history / Vikki Tobak ; texts by Stick Rick, A$AP Ferg, LL COOL J, Kevin "Coach K" Lee, and Pierre "P" Thomas ; design by Andy Disl.
Publisher:
Taschen,
Copyright Date:
2022
Description:
387 pages : illustrations (black and white, and colour), portraits ; 35 x 26 cm
Foreword: "My jewels are my superhero suit" / Slick Rick -- Jewelry as evolution / A$AP Ferg -- Introduction: ICE COLD: the swaggering, bold, and transcendent history of hip-hop and jewelry / Vikki Tobak -- 1980s. "By 18, jewelry became part of my own DNA" / LL COOL J as told to Alec Banks -- 1990s. Hip-hop steps into its power and the jewelers make the king / Vikki Tobak -- 2000s. Constant elevation across the nation / Vikki Tobak -- 2010s and beyond. Style as subversion / Vikki Tobak -- "Hood trophy": the south got somethin' to say -- hip-hop jewelry and the rise to greatness / Karam Gill in conversation with Kevin "Coach K" Lee and Pierre "P" Thomas.
Summary:
The definitive photographic history of how hip-hop blinged out and redefined the world of jewelry, luxury, and style. Starting with Run-DMC's gold Adidas pendants and Eric B. & Rakim's ostentatious dookie rope chains and Mercedes medallions, the jewelry then transforms from street style into a booming design culture. The hip-hop tradition of "show up and show out" reaches new heights with artists like Pharrell Williams, Jay-Z, Gucci Mane, and Cardi B, whose over-the-top pieces integrate unique pop culture references, unconventional materials, and enduring collaborations with artists like Takashi Murakami. Author Vikki Tobak reveals - in great detail - the work of pioneering jewelers such as Tito Caicedo of Manny's, Eddie Plein, and Jacob the Jeweler as well as newer artisans such as Avianne & Co., Ben Baller/IF & Co., Greg Yuna, Johnny Dang, Eliantte, and many more.--Publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.