Celebs auction bling for charity
Hip-hop legend Ghostface Killah once insisted his record company give him the marketing budget for his album. He then spent it on a 14-carat gold eagle statuette, which he wore on a bangle on his wrist.
By Timothy Bukumunhe
Hip-hop legend Ghostface Killah once insisted his record company give him the marketing budget for his album. He then spent it on a 14-carat gold eagle statuette, which he wore on a bangle on his wrist.
The love affair between hip-hop and jewellery will be celebrated in New York in a high-profile auction of some of the most spectacular pieces of status jewellery. The auction is scheduled for October 1.
Lots include a crown ring belonging to Tupac Shakur, who died in 1996. The ring boasts 10 carats of rubies and pavé diamonds and is inscribed “Pac & Dada 1996†in honour of Shakur’s relationship with Quincy Jones’ daughter Kidada. The estimated price is between $10,000 (about sh16m) to $20,000 (about sh20m).
A piece made for Missy Elliot, which features black diamonds with a solid gold needle arm on a diamond studded ring is listed with an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000.
The auction will raise funds for Rush Community Affairs, a charity founded by hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons and for the Smithsonian Institution.
The jewels tell the story of how diamonds overtook Adidas as hip-hop’s signature look. A gold, mushroom-shaped ring with the profile of Nefertiti, worn by MC Lyte, recalls how the first generation of female rappers continued the style of the queens of African history.
Meanwhile, the cassette and headphone pendants given by Biz Markie, encrusted with black and white diamonds, show that even during its early “two turntables and a microphone†era, diamonds were a (hip-hop) boy’s best friend.
A diamond-studded black Jesus pendant worn by Kanye West, who often refers to religion in his lyrics, is also likely to be included.
Sean Combs’ diamond and platinum bracelet exemplifies hip-hop at its bling extreme, as does Pharrell Williams’ diamond and white gold Gucci link necklace, estimated at up to $250,000 (sh408m). The total sale value of the 70 lots in the auction is estimated at $3m (about sh5b).
Hip-hop legend Ghostface Killah once insisted his record company give him the marketing budget for his album. He then spent it on a 14-carat gold eagle statuette, which he wore on a bangle on his wrist.
The love affair between hip-hop and jewellery will be celebrated in New York in a high-profile auction of some of the most spectacular pieces of status jewellery. The auction is scheduled for October 1.
Lots include a crown ring belonging to Tupac Shakur, who died in 1996. The ring boasts 10 carats of rubies and pavé diamonds and is inscribed “Pac & Dada 1996†in honour of Shakur’s relationship with Quincy Jones’ daughter Kidada. The estimated price is between $10,000 (about sh16m) to $20,000 (about sh20m).
A piece made for Missy Elliot, which features black diamonds with a solid gold needle arm on a diamond studded ring is listed with an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000.
The auction will raise funds for Rush Community Affairs, a charity founded by hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons and for the Smithsonian Institution.
The jewels tell the story of how diamonds overtook Adidas as hip-hop’s signature look. A gold, mushroom-shaped ring with the profile of Nefertiti, worn by MC Lyte, recalls how the first generation of female rappers continued the style of the queens of African history.
Meanwhile, the cassette and headphone pendants given by Biz Markie, encrusted with black and white diamonds, show that even during its early “two turntables and a microphone†era, diamonds were a (hip-hop) boy’s best friend.
A diamond-studded black Jesus pendant worn by Kanye West, who often refers to religion in his lyrics, is also likely to be included.
Sean Combs’ diamond and platinum bracelet exemplifies hip-hop at its bling extreme, as does Pharrell Williams’ diamond and white gold Gucci link necklace, estimated at up to $250,000 (sh408m). The total sale value of the 70 lots in the auction is estimated at $3m (about sh5b).