Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry at the American Museum of Natural History in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery, part of the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals. Photo Alvaro Keding/© AMNH
Books & Exhibitions
Hip-Hop Jewelry Lands at the Museum
The American Museum of Natural History presents ‘Ice Cold’
May 9, 2024—Hip-Hop was born in New York City just over 50 years ago. And Hip-Hop jewelry started here too. It’s only fitting that Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry would be staged at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
The presentation which celebrates Hip-Hop’s cultural influence through spectacular custom-made jewelry from its biggest stars, including Slick Rick, A$AP Rocky, Nicki Minaj and Bad Bunny among many others opens today and will be on display through January 2025.
“Throughout the Museum, you’ll see objects that open a window onto our shared past or our current world, whether that’s nature, science or culture. In Ice Cold, the objects are magnificent jewelry pieces and the window opens into one of the most powerful social and cultural forces of the past 50 years, Hip Hop,” said Sean M. Decatur, President of the American Museum of Natural History.
“We’re pleased to showcase these iconic pieces and the cultural phenomenon of Hip Hop, thereby reminding our visitors that culture is not just long ago or far away, but a part of all of our lives that we can reflect on and celebrate.”
Author of the landmark publication Ice Cold: A History of Hip Hop Jewelry, Vikki Tobak acted as the museum’s guest curator to the exhibit. “Bringing the Ice Cold exhibit to the American Museum of Natural History is a testament to the cultural significance of this art form and culture,” explained Vikki. “It’s time to celebrate the artists, jewelers, craftsmen and everyday people who contributed to the storied history of Hip-Hop jewelry.”
Much in the same way jewelry owned and commissioned by royalty or Hollywood movie stars from the silver screen era became part of the luminaries personas, Ice Cold shows how custom made jewels became inextricably linked to Hip Hop stars and their music. It illustrates how the genre evolved over the past five decades, beginning with the dokie ropes of innovators like Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay to the multi-colored jewels of artists including Tyler the Creator. Ice Cold showcases jewelry from all eras of hip-hop and demonstrates how the decorative art-form has served as a canvas for stories of resilience, rebellion and creative self-expression.
See highlights from the exhibition below.
This custom made crown was designed by Slick Rick, who embraces grandeur and royalty in his style, and manufactured by Tanya Jones of Lucki Crowns. The coordinating one-of-a-kind eyepatch was designed for Slick Rick by Jacob & Co in 2012, with refinements by Avianne & Co in 2023, featuring platinum and diamonds.
Following Run-DMC’s 1986 song “My Adidas,” Adidas struck a first-of-its-kind endorsement deal with the group, giving each member one of these 14-karat gold sneaker-shaped pendants. The shoe design is shown on Jam Master Jay’s dokie rope.
One of Nicki Minaj’s iconic Barbie pendants set with 54.47 carats of diamonds on 18-karat gold and bright pink enamel. The design was made by Ashna Mehta in 2022. Its the most recent commissioned by Minaj, whose first Barbie pendant dates to 2009.
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.
Designed by Johnny Nelson, the 14-karat Fingers of Def four-finger ring is from his Mount Rushmore series and honors trailblazing hip-hop artists, Biggie, Tupac, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and Easy-E.
Related Stories:
Pharell: Carbon, Pressure, Time
The Best Jewelry at the Grammys Had Personality
Get a gem in your mailbox SIGN UP FOR THE ADVENTURINE NEWSLETTER
