If It’s Hip It’s Here

There’s a Hip Hop ice exhibit featuring serious bling made for and worn by some of the greatest Hip Hop artists of all time now showing at the American Museum of Natural History

Hip Hop Ice Exhibit at the AMNH

Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry is currently showing at the American Museum of Natural History through early next year. The exhibit features pieces that trace the history of hip-hop from the 1980s to today and celebrate the genre’s cultural influence through some serious iced-out jewelry worn by some of its iconic stars.

Highlights include Slick Rick’s dazzling crown, the Notorious B.I.G.’s legendary gold ‘Jesus piece,’ the diamond-studded Roc-A-Fella medallion for the record label co-founded by Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj’s sparkling ‘Barbie’ pendant, and pieces from Erykah Badu, A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, FERG, and Tyler, the Creator, among others.

Building on New York City’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop as a global phenomenon, Ice Cold will highlight the evolution of jewelry in hip-hop over the past five decades, starting with oversized gold chains embraced by rap’s pioneers in the 1980s and moving through the 1990s, when emcees turned business moguls sported record label pendants sparkling with diamonds and platinum.

The exhibition will be on view in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery, within the Museum’s new Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, and is included with all admission.

A stunning book with photography by Wolfgang Tillmans and David LaChapelle from Taschen was made to accompany the exhibit. It was compiled and edited by Vikki Tobak, a guest curator at the American Museum of Natural History. It’s hard back and simply beautiful.

Buy the book at a discounted price of $75 here

Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry is showing at the American Museum of Natural History through January 5, 2025.

Reserve tickets to the exhibit here