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Hip-Hop's Most Expensive Album Covers: Jeweler Estimates Bling on Classic Rap LPs

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Earlier this month, 2 Chainz revealed the artwork for his Def Jam debut, Based On a T.R.U. Story, due Aug. 14. Featuring two gold chains dangling over a black background, the cover follows in the grand tradition of rappers sporting heavy, flashy jewelry on their album covers.

Some of hip-hop's biggest names have flossed their most prized possessions on their album art. Eric B. and Rakim's huge gold rope chains and medallions on Paid in Full, LL Cool J's classic diamond name ring on Mama Said Knock You Out and Camron's multiple shiny neck pieces on Killa Season are just a few of the standouts. These define an artist's arrival and represent their rising status in society.

In light of 2 Chainz' upcoming release, The BoomBox calls on expert Richard Wubnig, manager of Michael C. Fina jewelers, to estimate the value of each top-dollar accessory featured on 10 classic, blinged-out hip-hop album covers. The only family-owned and operated jeweler on 5th Ave., in New York City, Michael C. Fina has been around for 77 years. Wubnig, a Brooklyn native, grew up in the midst of hip-hop's rise, and given his love for the music and his more than 11 years of experience in the jewelry business, he's the perfect person to appraise the jewelry on these covers and tell us just how large our favorite rappers were living.

You may be surprised to learn that some of these MCs were rocking your house, tuition or car payments around their necks and fingers.


See 10 of Hip-Hop's Most Expensive Album Covers
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brbrbca

As someone famous once said, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but in the end, it's still a pig".

July 29 2012 at 8:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
palmerbeepee

But, how strong is an economy (any economy) that can support these kid of sub-cultures?

Remember, consumers drive the economy and marketing AND advertising drives the consumer. . . .. we keep "taking it on the chin", when's the last time you heard the word "boycott"?

As long as we keep “throwing money away on the non-essentials”, Big Business will never give the consumer a break - they figure, if we’ve got enough funds left over for this kind of stuff, there’s room for their prices to go up even more - are they right?

July 29 2012 at 8:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nancy

How many people could be fed with 1.5 million dollars, We have become a very wasteful society. 1.5 million for a CD Cover. I hope this is a young man that gives back?????

July 29 2012 at 7:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Nancy's comment
Gregginsarasota

Right on, Nancy! Thanx for a comment that required thought! :)

July 29 2012 at 10:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
brbrbca

Rap is not music. It's perverted.

July 29 2012 at 7:38 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to brbrbca's comment
Gregginsarasota

The word "rap".....the "C" is silent.....

July 29 2012 at 10:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
brbrbca

They all look like rich thugs to me. The only one with class is LL Cool J. Hip Hop is a disservice to the human race and promotes failure.

July 29 2012 at 7:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
datuxguy

Such clowns ....Who buys this slop hood slum ?????

July 29 2012 at 7:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MR. MARK W. ROSE

id rather see a pile of road apples.

July 29 2012 at 6:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ADAMP791

GHETTO CLOWNS !! HIP HOP IS DEAD !!

July 29 2012 at 6:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rforeverfree

The seven most frightening words ever spoken, " Mom, Dad I'd like you to meet......"

July 29 2012 at 6:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kll927

Rap = Crap !

July 29 2012 at 6:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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