Continuing the celebration of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary, “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip Hop Jewelry, recently opened at the American Natural History Museum (AMNHM), in the Meister Gallery within the Museum’s Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals. This special exhibition pays tribute to hip-hop’s mega-stars, their global phenomenon, and the cultural influences contributed by icons including Slick Rick, A$AP Rocky, Nicki Minaj, Jay Z, Notorious B.I.G., Missy Elliot, Bad Bunny, Erykah Badu, and many others.
Donned by hip-hop’s mega-stars, the jewelry is bold, brazen, heavy, and huge. These eye-catching gold and diamond accessories caused a stir and made statements of individuality and empowerment in the hip-hop community. Throughout the exhibit, viewers gazed in awe at the glittery ice gold pieces of hip hop’s royalty that have influenced history, fashion, beauty, style, and culture.
“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 of 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.”
Alvaro Keding/© AMNH photos
Designed by Slick Rick, who embraces grandeur and royalty in his style, this costume jewelry piece is by Tanya Jones of Lucki Crowns. Presented with the crown is a custom-made eyepatch designed for Slick Rick by Jacob & Co in 2012, with refinements by Avianne & Co in 2023, featuring platinum and diamonds. 
Featuring white and rose gold, this custom diamond-encrusted Queensbridge pendant was commissioned from Pristine Jewelers by Nas in 2018 to commemorate Queensbridge Houses in Queens, New York, where he grew up. 
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. 
Designed by Mike Do of Seoul Jewelry in 2023, the letters on this gold-and-diamond pendant represent All Money In, the record label that the late rapper, activist, and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle founded in 2010. 
The Notorious B.I.G. commissioned this Jesus pendant in the mid-1990s from Tito Caicedo of Manny’s New York, and Tito made three copies for Biggie, all cast from the same mold as this gold artist’s proof. 
This massive 14-karat gold piece was designed for Ghostface Killah by Jason Arasheben in the 1990s and remains one of hip-hop’s best-known jewelry pieces. 
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, 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. 
Nicki Minaj’s iconic Barbie pendant—which boasts 54.47 carats of diamonds on 18-karat gold and bright Barbie-pink enamel—was made by Ashna Mehta in 2022 and is the most recent commissioned by Minaj, whose first Barbie pendant dates to 2009.
When entering the exhibit, you immediately notice the stunning introductory case filled with emblematic jewelry from some of hip-hop’s most legendary artists, including a glittering crown, eye-patch, and 5-foot-long chain from Slick Rick, who was in the house for the opening party. Rick, a senior advisor for the exhibition, pioneered the royal motif in hip-hop. Other pieces in this case consist of an Adidas necklace from Jam Master Jay of Run D.M.C., made in honor of the hit 1986 song “My Adidas,” which led to an historic endorsement deal between the group and the athletic company; Nas’ diamond-encrusted “QB” pendant, which pays homage to the Queensbridge Houses in Queens where he grew up; and a multi-colored, fully-articulated LEGO minifigure pendant commissioned by A$AP Rocky.
“Cold” chronicles the evolution of hip-hop jewelry over the past five decades. “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,” said guest curator Vikki Tobak. “It’s time to celebrate the artists, jewelers, craftsmen, and everyday people who contributed to the storied history of hip-hop jewelry. This exhibit not only pays homage to hip-hop’s roots with pieces from Biz Markie and Jam Master Jay, for example, but also highlights its enduring impact on style and society with pieces from contemporary artists like Tyler, the Creator, A$AP Rocky, and FERG.”
Hip-hop icon and “Ice Cold” senior advisor Ricky “Slick Rick” Waters added that “‘Ice Cold’ will truly spark a sense of excitement and curiosity into our world of jewelry and baubles as an extended form of hip-hop culture, which has inspired the global stage as an extension of our art.
“This collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History is a harmonious blend of creativity and cultural significance. I’m very honored to be a part of creating a unique and immersive experience for the museum’s visitors in such a renowned space in the mecca of New York City.”
The AMNHM presents a number of Ice Gold objects from the 1980s. At the time, rappers worked with local jewelers to create their one-of-a-kind accessories, like rapper and beat-boxer Biz Markie’s brushed gold nameplate made by K & I Jewelers in Brooklyn’s Albee Square Mall, a crown-shaped “Drama King” pendant crafted in Harlem for DJ Kay Slay, and a large plastic clock worn by Public Enemy rapper and hype man Flavor Flav. The ‘clock’ pendant, one of his many signature time pendants, became his calling card.
In the 1990s, artists demanded larger pieces that were designed by jewelers like Tito Caciedo of Manny’s New York and Jacob Arabo of Jacob & Co. The Notorious B.I.G.’s legendary gold “Jesus piece,” and Ghostface Killah’s massive, 5-pound eagle armband are also on display. Numerous label chains are included in the exhibit, including a diamond-studded Roc-A-Fella medallion that was created in honor of the record label co-founded by Jay-Z, as well as a necklace owned by Eve that represents Ruff Riders, the label that launched her career.
The “Ice Cold” exhibit is included with general, “pay what you wish” admission for residents of the New York tri-state area. Visitors were excited to view the exhibit. “I love it!” said one. “This is amazing,” remarked another spectator. “I must come back with my kids.”
For more info, visit www.amnh.org.
WOW THAT IS AWESOME AND WONDERFUL I WAS AT AAAAAH WHEN I SEEN EVE’S RUFF RIDER CHAIN IN THE MUSEUM THAT’S WOULD MADE ME LOOK IT UP. NOW I KNOW 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 YYYEEEEAAAAAH