Hip-hop artistes are known for their great sense of style and love for flashy things. From luxury rides to custom-designed clothes and icy jewelry, these superstars are never afraid to splurge on items that show off their wealth, status, and fame. Some even see these high-end pieces as a symbol of their artistic success and a must-have to gain street credibility in the hip-hop world. In this article, we’ll look at some of the prized accessories owned by popular rappers and how much they are worth.
Kendrick Lamar’s Crown of Thorns: $3 million
Running up to a whopping $3 million, Kendrick Lamar’s Crown of Thorns takes the top spot on our list of the most expensive hip-hop accessories. It was first spotted on the American rapper on the cover of his 2022 album, titled Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. The crown features 50 thorns and is adorned with over 8,000 pave diamonds, weighing a total of 137 carats. According to Tiffany & Co (the producer), this Christ-like piece took four artisans up to ten months and 1,300 hours to make. However, the diamond-covered wreath is not the only high-value accessory in Lamar’s collection. The Los Angeles native also owns a $500,000 pgLang chain and a metal choker designed by famous jeweler Martine Ali.
Rick Ross’s Diamond Self-Portrait Chain: $1.5 million
Born William Leonard Roberts II, Rick Ross owns the costliest chain in the hip-hop industry. The Florida-based rapper made the news in 2010 when he dropped $1.5 million on a custom face necklace. This piece features a self-portrait pendant made with pure yellow diamonds, each with an estimated cost of around $3,000 to $5,000 per carat. The pendant is shaped like Rick Ross’s face, with his trademark glasses and goatee. Given his reputation for outrageous purchases, Ross’s splurge on this necklace comes as no shock to his fans. After all, the self-proclaimed “Biggest Boss” once claimed to have spent up to $100 million in just six months. Crazy!
Pharrell Williams’s N.E.R.D. Gold Chain: $1 million
Pharrell Williams also copped some serious bling of his own. In 2005, the American rapper paid $1 million to acquire his N.E.R.D. chain. The 14-karat gold piece has a medallion featuring a sculpture of the entire Neptune crew. It is adorned with colorful gemstones, including yellow, blue, and light pink diamonds. In 2022, the N.E.R.D. frontman sold his iconic chain at auction for $2.18 million.
Mike Jones’ Ice Age Chain: $1 million
Mike Jones was one of the biggest names in the rap game in the mid-2000s. He rose to fame with hits like “Still Tippin’,” and “Back Then.” In 2006, Mike Jones splashed a whopping $1 million on his famous “Ice Age” gold chain. This icy piece features a large medallion made of pure white gold and adorned with over 100 carats of diamonds. Unfortunately, the expensive pendant was stolen in 2009 by one of his friends while he was sleeping.
Takeoff’s Solar System Chain: $500,000
Kirsnick Khari Ball, aka Takeoff, also used to rock one of the most expensive hip-hop accessories. It is the intergalactic diamond chain, a necklace designed by celebrated jeweler Elliot Avianne. This show-stopping piece features a large medallion representing the Earth, the Sun, Mars, Saturn, and a rocket taking off, all decked out in diamonds. The young Migos rapper paid $500,000 for this pendant and loved to wear it before his tragic death in 2022.
Gucci Mane’s Twin Panther Chain: $500,000
Gucci Mane, born Radric Davis, is an American rapper, songwriter, and producer who played a key role in developing the trap subgenre in the 2000s. Known for his extravagant lifestyle, Gucci Mane has one of the most iced-out jewelry collections in the industry. One of his prized possessions is the Twin Panther chain, which he bought for $500,000 in 2017. Designed by Gucci himself, this majestic piece features two panther heads holding three diamond chains in their mouths. The cats alone have 1,800 diamonds, while the necklace has 2,800 diamonds. This brings the total diamond count to 4,600, with a weight of 165 carats.
Sean Kingston’s 64 Crayons: $500,000
Sean Kingston is an American rapper and singer who broke onto the scene in the 2000s with hits like “Beautiful Girl,” “Me Love,” and “Take You There.” He recently featured Chris Brown in a song titled “Ocean Drive,“ which was released in 2022. Like his contemporaries, Kingston also indulged in some bling during the height of his fame. He once bought a box of 64 crayons made of white gold and diamonds for $500,000. However, this expensive pendant went missing when Kingston was trying to send it across the country via FedEx. And the kicker? His sister, who insured the chain, valued it at a mere $500, thinking it was a cheap piece of jewelry.
Bling has become a part and parcel of the hip-hop culture. Many artistes love to rock extravagant pieces of jewelry as a badge of honor and proof of their prowess in the rap game. Some also use them to showcase their unique style, set new trends, and solidify their status in the industry. These accessories not only serve as symbols of wealth but also tell the story of the owner’s artistic journey. However, hip-hop stars do not get the money to buy these expensive items from music sales alone. Many have cashed in big through endorsements with fashion and even gambling brands like those on casinos.com to be able to afford the crazy amounts they cost.
