Jesus piece (jewelry)

A Jesus piece is a spiritual or religious piece of jewelry that is popular in the hip hop community and depicts the face of Jesus with the crown made out of thorns. Many hip hop artists and celebrities, including The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Kanye West, Big Pun, The Game, Kendrick Lamar and Meek Mill among others, have adopted the Jesus piece as a common fashion accessory and have them decorated with many precious gems.[1][2] Cheaper Jesus pieces have also been sold in other materials including wood and inexpensive metals. Traditional medals in Western Christianity that are worn as necklaces have depicted the Holy Face of Jesus.[3]

Gold Jesus Piece detailed with gems.

The Boombox wrote in 2018 that "the Jesus piece has arguably become one of the most iconic pieces of jewellery in hip-hop"[4] while Highsnobiety penned in 2017, "the Jesus piece has arguably become the most popular pendant of all time".[5]

History

Ghostface Killah

The first rapper to wear the Jesus piece was Ghostface Killah from Wu-Tang Clan in the video for Incarcerated Scarfaces.[6]

The Notorious B.I.G.

So I just speak my piece, keep my peace Cubans with the Jesus piece, with my peeps...

— The Notorious B.I.G., "Hypnotize"

The popularity of the Jesus piece is attributed to Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.) and Tito Caicedo, Wallace's jeweler. Wallace paid Tito approximately $10,000 a piece for multiple Jesus pieces that he would give to those he worked with and wear himself. The Jesus pieces were decorated with precious gems, specifically on the hair of Jesus.[1][2]

Jay-Z

When Wallace died in 1997, his Jesus piece was given to his son Christopher Wallace Jr. "CJ". Jay-Z would then wear the Jesus piece multiple times for whenever he would record a new album. Two years after Wallace's death, Jay-Z appeared on the December 1999 issue of the XXL magazine with a Jesus piece.[2]

Jay-Z wrote in his book, Decoded, the importance of Wallace's Jesus piece; "It's part of my ritual when I record an album: I wear the Jesus piece and let my hair grow till I'm done".[7]

Kanye West
West wearing multiple Jesus pieces in 2009.

Jacob Arabo partnership

In 2004, Kanye West partnered with Jacob Arabo, a jeweler that outfitted many hip-hop artists with their jewelry.[1][2] West's personal Jesus piece created by Jacob cost $25,000, was the size of a man's palm and had clear diamonds for Jesus' crown of thorns, yellow and light-brown diamonds as Jesus' blond hair, aquamarines for blue eyes and small rubies for the tears of blood on his face. In an interview with Rolling Stone, West explains complications he had creating the revised Jesus piece by repeating a discussion he had with Jacob.

"I love the way it looks with the blue eyes, but I'll get too much flak for it. I can't explain that blue-eyed shit. I need to do another one. A black one. Because I have socially conscious lyrics and I'm-a get flak."

After experimenting with various colors for the piece's eyes, West decided that the aquamarine blue eyes were best suited for the piece. West then jokingly explained how he would avoid social commentary saying, "I'll say it's the one (Jesus) off my grandmother's wall! It's Grandma's Jesus!"[8]

Takashi Murakami partnership

In 2007, West again created another derivation of the Jesus piece with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, who created the cover artwork for West's Graduation. The Jesus piece was estimated to cost approximately $200,000.[9]

See also

References
  1. Netshiheni, Rudzani (2013-02-08). "History of the Jesus Piece". Hype Magazine. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  2. Reid, Shaheem. "The Notorious B.I.G.'s Signature Accessories". MTV News. MTV. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  3. "Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus". Missionaries of Divine Revelation. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  4. Hereford, Sharee (8 February 2018). "Dollars & Chains: Hip-Hop's Long-Standing Relationship With Jewelry". The Boombox. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  5. "A Brief History of Bling: Hip-Hop Jewelry Through the Ages". Highsnobiety. 2017-04-05. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  6. "Jesus Piece Splash". 24 April 2011.
  7. Crosley, Hillary. "Jay-Z Talks Wearing Che T-Shirt And Diamonds In 'Decoded'". MTV News. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  8. "Kanye West: Head of the Class". Rolling Stone. 2004-04-29. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  9. "The 50 Greatest Chains In Hip-Hop". Complex. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  10. Williams, Stereo (7 April 2013). "Big Sean speaks on Kid Cudi leaving G.O.O.D. Music". Rolling Out.
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