From renowned hip-hop legend 2 Pac’s rare 18k yellow Karat gold Rolex Datejust, to Jay-Z’s $5million Hublot. This book sheds light on the significant correlation between rap culture and luxury watches, from hip-hop’s origins to the modern day, told and represented through powerful imagery.
Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches is a 320-page book produced by Leon Schafers, Jeanette Lang and Tobias Kargoll, which smartly explores the history of rap through the industry’s most defining watches. This book is a visual treat which features a pleasing blend of music, art and luxury that flows naturally and is well executed throughout.
It features many rap stars such as Travis Scott, Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Eminem, Rick Ross, and many more. Every image includes their beloved luxury watches captured in various environments, from festivals to studio settings. These are all beautifully shot by photographers David Cabrera, negativebynature, Mika Vaisanen, and Kenneth Lesley, who took the front cover image.
The intriguing images are a mix of portraits, action shots, and close ups of artists and their luxury timepieces, spread over 20 enticing chapters. Using both colour and black and white imagery to document this topic from single pages to eye-opening double page spreads.
From rap’s journey from the Bronx to eventual worldwide appeal, this book connects the dots between the cultural impact and the fascination of rappers and their watches.
Not only do these images highlight the significance that these luxury watches have, but they also show appreciation to the craftmanship of the brands who made them. Sit back and marvel at the slick designs and intricate details that will fascinate even the casual fan of jewellery and watches.
Well-known watch brands such as Rolex, Audermars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, Cartier, Hublot and Richard Mille feature in the book.
Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches documents the historical aspect and the changing trends through decades of hip-hop watch culture. Through every era of the rap genre, you will explore which timepieces were most popular when and why, and what meaning and influence they had during that period.
This book is a great read for hip-hop enthusiasts, general collectors, jewellery-lovers, or if you’d like to show off the eye-catching front cover design on your coffee table or in a local café. It’s never too late to embrace the world of hip-hop, especially if you’re thinking of upping your watch game!
Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches: Rappers, Jewellers and all that Ice is published by teNeues and is available to buy now. ISBN: 9783961716968
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