When you step into the American Museum of Natural History’s newest exhibit, you might hear Jay-Z’s “4:44” or Erykah Badu’s “On and On” playing overhead. That’s because the exhibit, Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry, is meant to celebrate the cultural impact of the genre through some of its most iconic jewelry pieces. Housed within the museum’s Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, the exhibit contains over 60 custom-made jewelry pieces that have been worn by some of the biggest names in hip-hop from the 1980s onwards. A custom playlist by DJ Woof acts as the soundtrack to the exhibition’s viewing experience.
Among the pieces on loan to the museum are Nicki Minaj’s Barbie nameplate, Slick Rick’s crown and eye-patch, Erykah Badu’s grills, TheNotorious B.I.G.’s “Jesus Piece,” and T-Pain’s “Big Ass Chain.”
Pulled from over five decades, the selection is meant to exemplify the evolution of style alongside the evolution of the hip-hop genre. Rap artists in the 80s, for example, opted for oversized gold chains, while the artists of today lean toward colorful, experimental designs, pulling inspiration from high fashion and making references to cultural moments and rap history through their jewelry.
But as much as the exhibit is meant to display the artistry and craftsmanship of the pieces, it is also meant to delve into hip-hop’s cultural impact.
“Hip-hop jewelry has had a huge impact on our wider modern culture,” said Sean M. Decatur, the museum’s president, in a press release. “We are excited to provide our visitors the opportunity to see these remarkable pieces, especially in the context of our Mignone Halls dedicated to gems and minerals.”
To celebrate its opening, the museum welcomed industry members, press, and museum patrons to preview the exhibit on May 8. A$AP Ferg, Lil Baby, and Joey Bada$$ were just some of the genre’s big names in attendance. Slick Rick, who was a senior advisor for the exhibition, was also present.
“Ice Cold will truly spark a sense of excitement and curiosity into our world of jewelry and baubles as an extended form of hip-hop culture, which has inspired the global stage as an extension of our art,” he said ahead of the exhibit’s opening. “I’m very honored to be a part of creating a unique and immersive experience for the Museum’s visitors in such a renowned space in the mecca of New York City.”
Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry is on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City now through January 5, 2025. Grab your tickets here.
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