Image: animalnewyork.com
“…I bought some artwork for 1 million, 2 years later, that shit worth 2 million
Few years later, that shit worth 8 million, I can't wait to give this shit to my children…”
Jay-Z, Story of OJ
In his latest album, 4:44, Jay Z references in his second verse the significance and how building wealth is can be accomplished through purchasing of art. However, this is not the first time the 47 year old rapper has mentioned visual arts in his music. The second track on Magna Carta, Holy Grail is entitled Picasso, Baby. Throughout out the song, jay-Z references himself as the “New Jean Michel (Basquiat), surrounded by Warhols.” He mentions well know art affiliated institutions such as MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), Christies (a prestigious auction house in New York), The Lourve, and Art Basel (Miami, FL). Furthermore, the video Picasso, Baby was shot at world renown art gallery were celebrities and patrons were allowed to show off their creativity and become works of art themselves. He was inspired by performance artist Marina Abramovic who performed for endless hours at the MoMA. Not only has Mr. Carter become inspired by visual and performing artist, he is becoming quite the collector. In 2013, he purchased Jean Michel Basquiat’s “Mecca” piece created in 1982. The painting is a rendition of city done in a limited palette of black, orange and white. Per a true Basquiat, words and a motif of the crown are often incorporated into his work. In this piece the word Empire is capitalized and hovers over the city wearing the crown. Jay Z purchased this piece anonymously for $4.5 million dollars at an auction at Sothebys.
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image Juggernaut/ Arrestedmotion.com
While Jay-Z’s knowledge and collecting of art continues to grow, he is not the only hip hop artist that is building an art collection. Artists such as Pharrel Williams, Kaassem “Swiss Beats” Dean, Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter, Jr., Kanye West are just a few of increasing number of artists building their art collection. Some of the visual artists included in the collection include but not limited to Jean Michel Basquiat, Joan Miro, Keith Harring, Ernie Barnes, Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami, Kaws, Hebru Brantley, Etc. Producer Swiss Beats not only collects art, but curates shows and exhibitions as well.
Image 1: Emil H/ Entertainmentrundown.com Image 2: unknown
Swizz started collecting art in the early 2000s. In an interview with Vulture Magazine, he discussed how he first started collecting with studies of Chagals and Dalis. He also mentions in the same interview how gallery owner David Rogath informed him “Swizz, it’s not the quantity, it’s about the quality. Fast forward to 2013, he acquired a Basquiat at Sotheby’s sale. Similar to Jay Z, Swizz was attracted to the artistic creativity and genius of Jean-Michel that he related to as well. From then on he was hooked. His every growing collection includes artist such as Ernie Barnes, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol and KAWs. Along with building his collection, Swizz himself is a painter and can also add curator to his expanding repertoire. In 2014, at the world renowned Miami Art Basel, Swizz curated a show at Scope Miami from the Dean Collection, several emerging artists that he collects. A year later, he would partner with Baracadi and put together (Miami Art Basel) the No Commission Art Fair. This three day event brought together music and art. Not only did it bring out the artist like Wiz Kalifa, Pusha T, P Diddy, wife, Alicia Keys, but it allowed for all artists participating in the exhibition keep 100 % of their sales. With it being such a huge success, The Dean Collection and Barcardi, No Commission has been on a worldwide tour. Past exhibitions have been shown in the Bronx, London and Shanghai. In 2016, swizz even held an Instagram contest for artists to create interpretation or rendition of his daughter. Once again, he is exposing artists as well as educating fans on the beauty of creativity and self-expression. This year, he recently announced collaboration with the luxury brand Bally for a fashion collection. Whether it is fashion, music, or art, Swizz will surely continue to be a collector, curator and cultivator in the world of art.
Image: unknown source
One of music’s most creative, innovative and eccentric hip hop artist and producers is Pharrell Williams. The musician, producer, fashion designer, also has a beautiful modern and contemporary art collection. Pharrell is no stranger to Miami Art Basel, Williams is always fascinated by the new artist and some of his favorite pieces. Like Jay-Z and Swizz Beats, he loves KAWs and Keith Haring, and like Swizz, is curating art as well.
Image: Associated Press
In 2014, Pharrell album G I R L celebrates his love and appreciation for women. That same year, Williams curated an exhibition in Paris that celebrates and pays tribute to women, women’s beauty, minds and contributions to the world. The beauty and value of art impacts everyone in every way; it is even reaching younger hip hop artists. In 2015, we learned that Lil Wayne had a collection of art worth $30 million dollars. According to TMZ, the artist Miami home was raided after Wayne refused to settle the debt owed to a private jet company. Upon seizing these assets, the art collection was taken as well as additional values for compensation for outstanding payments for the deal. edit.
Image: Courtesy of Perrotin
In 2017, we are beginning to see more and more artists and moguls of hip hop not only expand the content of the lyricism, but the portfolio of businesses and partnerships that include art. However, hip hop artists are not the only group that is beginning to become more invested and supportive of the arts. Former NBA star Amare Stoudemire has been collecting art for about 10 years. His conversations about collecting art have been featured in publications such as Esquire, New York Times, and Complex to name a few. Stoudemire has even set on Swizz Beat’s panel discussion during the No Commission exhibition. He is very vocal of not only supporting the arts, but encourages other NBA players and athletes to collect and invest in art and artist as well. In the 2015 Esquire article, Stoudemire states that he does not buy art to resell, but desires to see his art passed down to each generation.
Image: Amare Stoudemire/amarestoudemire,com.
In 2017, we are beginning to see more and more artists and moguls of hip hop not only expand the content of the lyricism, but the portfolio of businesses and partnerships that include art. However, hip hop artists are not the only group that is beginning to become more invested and supportive of the arts. Former NBA star Amare Stoudemire has been collecting art for about 10 years. His conversations about collecting art have been featured in publications such as Esquire, New York Times, and Complex to name a few. Stoudemire has even set on Swizz Beat’s panel discussion during the No Commission exhibition. He is very vocal of not only supporting the arts, but encourages other NBA players and athletes to collect and invest in art and artist as well. In the 2015 Esquire article, Stoudemire states that he does not buy art to resell, but desires to see his art passed down to each generation.
Since hip hop music crossover in the late 1980s, early 1990s, we have seen a spectrum of narratives told be it black liberation, struggles of the hood, etc. Interestingly, the majority of the music is a reflection of money, getting rich, and all the glory of capitalism. Whether popping bottles of Cristal, hundreds of men and women dressed in the finest attire, luxury and foreign cars, yachts and mansions, we have watched hip hop acquire the material riches that many of us “desire.” However, more and more are understanding there is vast difference between being rich and being wealthy. As hip hop moguls continue to inspire with beats, concepts and lyrics, maybe they will inspire it is not just about inspiring the culture, but collecting and preserving a culture we help create.
Since hip hop music crossover in the late 1980s, early 1990s, we have seen a spectrum of narratives told be it black liberation, struggles of the hood, etc. Interestingly, the majority of the music is a reflection of money, getting rich, and all the glory of capitalism. Whether popping bottles of Cristal, hundreds of men and women dressed in the finest attire, luxury and foreign cars, yachts and mansions, we have watched hip hop acquire the material riches that many of us “desire.” However, more and more are understanding there is vast difference between being rich and being wealthy. As hip hop moguls continue to inspire with beats, concepts and lyrics, maybe they will inspire it is not just about inspiring the culture, but collecting and preserving a culture we help create.