Ice Cold. A Hip-Hop Jewelry History

Hip-hop culture is characterized by diamond-encrusted grills, oversized "truck" style chains, bust-down Rolex and Patek Philippe watches, and Tiffany necklaces. Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History is a stunning compilation of storytelling and visuals that showcases how "Ice" has become a proclamation of identity and self-expression. It features the work of pioneering jewelers such as Tito Caicedo of Mannys, 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.

Format: Hardback
Length: 388 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

Hip-hop culture is undeniably intertwined with jewelry, serving as a cornerstone of the genre. From diamond-encrusted grills to oversized "truck" style chains, bust-down Rolex and Patek Philippe watches, and Tiffany necklaces, the world of hip-hop jewelry exudes glamour and sophistication. Glittering, blinged-out jewels become a shining statement of a collective identity, unapologetically charismatic and street-savvy. Spanning the history of hip-hop jewelry, from the 1980s to the present day, "Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History" is a captivating compilation of storytelling and visuals. Hundreds of extraordinary images showcase the unique styles of every major hip-hop artist on record, highlighting how "ice" has become a proclamation of identity and self-expression.

The journey begins with iconic pieces like Run-DMC's gold Adidas pendants, Eric B. & Rakim's extravagant dookie rope chains, and Mercedes medallions, which transition from street style to a booming design culture. Artists like Pharrell Williams, Jay-Z, Gucci Mane, and Cardi B take the hip-hop tradition of "show up and show out" to new heights with their over-the-top pieces that integrate unique pop culture references, unconventional materials, and enduring collaborations with artists like Takashi Murakami. Author Vikki Tobak delves into the work of pioneering jewelers such as Tito Caicedo of Mannys, Eddie Plein, and Jacob the Jeweler, as well as newer artisans like Avianne & Co., Ben Baller/IF & Co., Greg Yuna, Johnny Dang, Eliantte, and many more.

"Ice Cold" is a treasure trove of dazzling, inspirational style, featuring the work of leading photographers, including Wolfgang Tillmans, Janette Beckman, Jamel Shabazz, Timothy White, Gillian Laub, David LaChapelle, Danny Clinch, Chris Buck, Mike Miller, Phil Knott, Raven B. Varona, Al Pereira, Albert Watson, and many more. A foreword by hip-hop superstar Slick Rick and essays by A$AP Ferg, LL COOL J, Kevin "Coach K Lee, and Pierre "P" Thomas of Quali further enhance the significance of this captivating book.

Weight: 3048g
Dimension: 258 x 349 x 46 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836584975
Edition number: Multilingual ed