Ice Cold by TASCHEN A Hip-Hop Jewelry History – 40 years of iconic images and the culture of bling among rappers and their jewellery

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Taschen has published ICE COLD, the history of bling in pictures, or how hip-hop redefined the world of jewellery, luxury and style. Ice Ice Baby is the definitive photographic history of how hip-hop blinged out and redefined the world of jewelry. There are diamond-encrusted grills, oversized “truck” style chains, bust-down Rolex and Patek Philippe watches and a Tiffany necklace, the jewelry is the cornerstone of hip-hop culture. It is a statement of a collective identity: unapologetic, charismatic, and street savvy.

Ice Cold presents the culture of bling among rappers and the jewellery they love. With 40 years of iconic images and brilliantly told stories, this book shines a light on the Olympus of hip-hop: Jay-Z, Migos, Pharrell or Tupac show off their glittering treasures, to mark their status as much as to express a personal style. On a personal note, I was very happy to see my dear friend Jules Kim aka BIJULES creating the TASCHEN name plate on the cover of the book.

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.

Ice Cold is a vision 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 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 Quality Control Music take us on personal journeys into their jewelry universe.

“My jewels are my superhero suit” Ricky Walters aka Slick Rick

Also Taschen has published Ice Cold as an Art Edition No. 1-100. Zach Boisjoly “Megan Thee Stallion” in an edition of 100. It is available in german, english and french and Ice Cold. Art Edition Ice Cold. Art Edition No. 101–200. Tomo Brejc ‘A$AP Rocky’ both at € 1.250. Limited art edition (numbers 101 to 200), with the print A$AP Rocky, New York, 2019 numbered and signed by photographer Tomo Brejc.

The author:
Vikki Tobak’s work has appeared in Complex, Rolling Stone, The FADER, Mass Appeal, Paper, Vibe, i-D, and the Detroit News amongst others. She is the author of Contact High: A Visual History Of Hip-Hop and curator of the traveling exhibition of the same name. She is a former producer and columnist for CBS, CNN, and Bloomberg News. Tobak got her start as a culture editor for Paper magazine before going to Payday Records/Empire Management, working with groups including Gang Starr, Jay-Z, Mos Def, Show and AG, Jeru and other hip-hop legends.

Ice Cold. A Hip-Hop Jewelry History  €80.

www.taschen.com

Later,

Diane

 

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Diane Pernet

A LEGENDARY FIGURE IN FASHION and a pioneer of blogging, Diane is a respected journalist, critic, curator and talent-hunter based in Paris. During her prolific career, she designed her own successful brand in New York, costume designer, photographer, and filmmaker.

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