Image via Complex Original
2012 was not only a big year for art, but it was an even bigger year for rappers and the art they supported, commissioned, created, and wore. From album packaging to book releases and high-profile art collecting, it's safe to say that the love between rappers and art is mutual. From Kanye West to M.I.A. and A$AP Rocky, see how far rap took it in the art game with The 20 Best Rapper Art Moments of 2012.
Written by @cedar
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20. Kanye West Appears In Erotic Art Film for the Launch of Anja Rubik's "25" Magazine
20. Kanye West Appears In Erotic Art Film for the Launch of Anja Rubik's 25 Magazine
Date: June 29
The friendship between Kanye West and Anja Rubik goes way back to her opening both of his runway shows in Paris and him rapping about "racing" with her on the song "Cold" from the G.O.O.D. Music Cruel Summer album. So when Rubik asked West to be a part of her Barnaby Roper-directed film for the launch of 25 magazine and its first eroticism-themed issue, of course he said yes. In speaking of the collaboration, Rubik told The Cut, "It's funny. We talked about how porn looks these days, and he agreed with me that there's no porn out there that is beautiful aesthetically and integrates fashion to make a beautiful image...I thought it would be really interesting to make it seem like we were entering Kanye's head."
19. Jose Parla Commissioned to Paint 70-foot Mural at Barclay's Center
19. José Parlá Commissioned to Paint 70-foot Mural at Barclay's Center
Date: December 27
On December 27th, it was announced that José Parlá would be painting a 70-foot mural at Brooklyn's Barclay's Center titled A Diary of Brooklyn. Supposedly we will be able to see it sometime this month. The commission is no surprise given Jay-Z's appearance at Parlá's book release party with JR for The Wrinkles of the City: Havana, Cuba at Art Basel Miami.
18. Pharrell Poses in Front of Takashi Murakami painting ahead of the Gagosian Hong Kong "Flowers and Skulls" Exhibition Opening
18. Pharrell Poses in Front of Takashi Murakami Painting Ahead of the Gagosian Hong Kong Flowers and Skulls Exhibition Opening
Date: November 27
In addition to releasing Pharrell: The Places and Spaces I've Been with Rizzoli in October, Pharrell showed his continued support of famed artist Takashi Murakami, by posing in front of a piece from his Flowers and Skulls exhibition at Gagosian Gallery in Hong Kong. The pair famously collaborated on a sculpture with Jacob & Co., which was made for Art Basel in 2009 and reappeared at Art Basel Miami 2012.
17. Danny Brown Performs at Shepard Fairey's Art Basel Miami Event
17. Danny Brown Performs at Shepard Fairey's Art Basel Miami Event
Date: December 5
To kick off Art Basel Miami 2012, Danny Brown did a special performance at Shepard Fairey's event at Bardot. The moment was an important one, marking Fairey's new mural at Basel and Brown's continued musical rise in 2012. Shepard Fairey himself got the crowd ready for Brown's performance with an energetic DJ set.
In a video with VIBE beforehand, Fairey admitted to being a fan of Brown's music, while Brown told Rolling Stone, "To be honest, this is my first time hearing about him. I'm not really into, like, art. The most art I'm into is video games." Here's to hoping Brown makes more art-related appearances in 2013, with or without Fairey.
16. A$AP Rocky Talks Basquiat, Warhol, & Van Gogh On BBC Radio 1
16. A$AP Rocky Talks Basquiat, Warhol, & Van Gogh On BBC Radio 1
Date: June 14
A$AP Rocky is known for being outspoken about his preferences in art and fashion, and arguably, his cultural well-roundedness and taste helped catapult him into the mainstream in 2012. During an interview with Benji B on BBC Radio 1 last June, Rocky said, "Not to be so cliché, but when it comes to art, I don't have your standard, politically correct kind of a mindstate...I'm a collector. I started collecting about a year and a half ago. Of course, everybody's inspired by Basquiat. Why shouldn't you be? He's an inspirational dude. Him, Warhol, the greatest, Van Gogh...I like modern art, I like old art. I use music as my art; it helps me articulate my emotions, my past, my future, my present."
15. Jake Davis Shoots A$AP Rocky for his #Screentest Series
15. Jake Davis Shoots A$AP Rocky for his #Screentest Series
Date: April 4
During a photo shoot for Vogue Homme Japan, Jake Davis filmed one of his classic #screentests with A$AP Rocky as the subject. Inspired by Andy Warhol's screen tests, the series is a staple of Davis' work. This one in particular was also a collaboration with art director Matthew Williams, who's done work for Lady Gaga, SHOWStudio, Rihanna, and Kanye West. Whether it's Rocky's impossible coolness while smoking a cigarette and resembling Basquiat or Davis' and Williams' brilliant creative direction, the film was a highlight among this year's many art moments.
14. Patrick Martinez Paints Stalley's Savage Journey to the American Dream Album Cover
14. Patrick Martinez Paints Stalley's Savage Journey to the American Dream Album Cover
Date: April 30
On March 6, Stalley revealed the incredible artwork for his Savage Journey to the American Dream album cover. The piece was a combination of oil painting and broken neon work done by LA-based artist Patrick Martinez. View the making-of the artwork on Arrested Motion.
13. Jay-Z Sits Across from Basquiat Painting in Dusee Liquor Ad
13. Jay-Z Sits Across from Basquiat Painting in D'Usse Liquor Ad
Date: October 15
In addition to rapping the classic line, "Banksy bitches, Basquiats" on Rick Ross' "3 Kings" this year (also featuring Dr. Dre), Jay-Z chose to feature a Basquiat painting in his first D'Usse liquor advertisement. Jay-Z announced the liquor line last May, and the first ad appeared in October. It's captioned with "A bold new expression of cognac," and based on the slick art direction of the ad, we're convinced it really is.
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12. Rick Ross Buys Richard Mosse and Mr. Brainwash Pieces
12. Rick Ross Buys Richard Mosse and Mr. Brainwash Pieces
Date: December 5, 17
Rick Ross was one of many rappers and celebrities in attendance at 2012's Art Basel Miami, but he was the first to make a big purchase and announce it online. On December 5th, Ross Instagrammed a photo of himself with North American Chairman and CEO of Recorded Music for Warner Music Group, Lyor Cohen, in front of a 2012 photograph by Richard Mosse titled Love is the Drug. He captioned it, "Just purchased my 1st piece from Art Basel w/my lil homie Lyor. #bossup" 12 days later, Ross Instagrammed pics from street artist Mr. Brainwash's studio, captioning his purchased work with, "My 1st @mrbrainwash piece.True Genius." We're looking forward to the expected expansion of Rozay's art collection in 2013.
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11. Diddy Poses With Basquiat's "The Ruffians" Painting at Art Basel Miami
11. Diddy Poses With Basquiat's "The Ruffians" Painting at Art Basel Miami
Date: December 7
Diddy Instagrammed a photo of himself in front of Jean-Michel Basquiat's 1982 painting, The Ruffians, at the Tina Kim/Kukje Gallery booth at Art Basel Miami, shortly before he bought an Ivan Navarro sculpture from Paul Kasmin's booth. He captioned the photo, "King Of Kings LIVE from #Artbasel" and was spotted at various fairs and parties during the week-long art event.
10. Kanye West Appears in Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel "The Little Black Jacket" Photography Book and Exhibition
10. Kanye West Appears in Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel The Little Black Jacket Photography Book and Exhibition
Date: June 6 - 15
Last June, Karl Lagerfeld staged a pop-up exhibition coinciding with the release of his book, The Little Black Jacket: Chanel's Classic Revisited. All of the 113 subjects, ranging from celebrities in music, art, fashion, and pop culture, were styled by Carine Roitfeld, and the exhibition (as well as its other locations in Tokyo and Taipei) featured each photo from the book. Kanye West was a prominent subject of the exhibit, alongside others like Anna Wintour, Uma Thurman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, Georgia May Jagger, and Alexander Wang.
9. Pharrell Releases "Pharrell: The Places and Spaces I've Been" Art Book
9. Pharrell Releases Pharrell: The Places and Spaces I've Been Art Book
Date: October 16
Last October, Pharrell released his highly anticipated book with Rizzoli titled Pharrell: The Places and Spaces I've Been. In addition to images of Pharrell's artistic work throughout the years, it features conversations with everyone from Jay-Z to Zaha Hadid, Buzz Aldrin, Kanye West, and Nigo. On December 10, Pharrell gave a special lecture about the book at Design Miami during Art Basel Miami, and Kanye showed up to support him, asking a question during the Q&A about how he developed his high taste level. Pharrell's response? Realizing design's intrinsic connection to function and that he doesn't know it all.
8. A$AP Mob Releases Three Lord$ Never Worry Mixtape Covers Designed by Matthew Williams and Ricky Saiz
8. A$AP Mob Releases Three Lord$ Never Worry Mixtape Covers Designed by Matthew Williams and Ricky Saiz
Date: August 28
Last August, the A$AP Mob released three GIF covers to accompany the release of their mixtape, Lord$ Never Worry. Designed by Matthew Williams and Supreme's Ricky Saiz, it was an immediate highlight among the year's many album covers.
7. Kanye West Wears PYREX Sweatshirt with Caravaggio's Entombment of Christ Painting at Hurricane Sandy Benefit Concert in NYC
7. Kanye West Wears PYREX Sweatshirt with Caravaggio's Entombment of Christ Painting at Hurricane Sandy Benefit Concert in NYC
Date: December 12
During a Hurricane Sandy benefit concert with Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, the Who, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Roger Waters, and Alicia Keys, Kanye didn't just wear the much-talked-about Givenchy skirt, he also wore a PYREX sweatshirt that had Caravaggio's 1602-04 Entombment of Christ Renaissance painting on it. The painting is currently owned by the Vatican and is meant to represent Christ's message of coming to Earth in order to reconcile humanity with the heavens. The sweatshirt was previously being sold by RSVP Gallery but is currently sold out.
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6. Jay-Z Designs Brooklyn Nets Logo
6. Jay-Z Designs Brooklyn Nets Logo
Date: April 30
Jay-Z is not only part owner of the Brooklyn Nets, he also designed their new logo before opening the Barclay's Center in October with eight concerts in a row (the final of which featured a special on-stage appearance by Beyoncé). The Nets' CEO, Brett Yormark, calls the logo "the new badge for Brooklyn."
5. Lil Wayne Reveals That Kanye West Will Design Album Packaging for "I Am Not A Human Being II"
5. Lil Wayne Reveals That Kanye West Will Design Album Packaging for I Am Not A Human Being II
Date: November 21
While we have yet to see the packaging for Lil Wayne's I Am Not A Human Being II, he told MTV last November that Kanye West would be in charge of its design. Wayne said, "He didn't do any music on this album but 'Ye is actually packaging my album. What I mean by packaging is he's gonna do the album cover, the inside, all that...He said 'I wanna package Wayne's album,' so I already know my album package is gonna be crazier than [the album]. You ain't even gotta hear it, you gonna love just seeing it. If it ain't nothing out of the box crazy, but 'Ye is 'Ye. He's a genius."
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4. Jay-Z Buys a $20,000 Painting by 31-year-old Chicago Artist Hebru Brantley Titled "Everyone's Scared" at Art Basel Miami
4. Jay-Z Buys a $20,000 Everyone's Scared Painting by Hebru Brantley at Art Basel Miami
Date: December 10
Jay-Z was spotted all around Art Basel Miami with Beyoncé, but while some may think they were just making the social rounds, Jay was looking to buy some seriously awesome art. He purchased a piece titled Everyone's Scared, which was originally spotted by Maverick Carter, Lebron James' manager. The 31-year-old Chicago-based artist even got a pic with Hov, after he bought the piece for $20,000.
3. M.I.A. Releases Self-Titled Art Book
3. M.I.A. Releases Self-Titled Art Book
Date: October 23
M.I.A. released her self-titled art book with Rizzoli last October, which documents her beginnings as an artist and photographer before she decided to pursue music. It also includes never-before-seen images and insight into the artwork and videos of her three albums and VickiLeekx mixtape. On November 4, she gave a lecture at MoMA PS1, where she explained the book in a Q&A with chief curator Klaus Biesenbach and revealed upcoming collaborations with Versace and also PS1. Read more about the book and see exclusive images from it here.
2. Kehinde Wiley Paints for Santigold's Master of My Make-Believe Album Cover
2. Kehinde Wiley Paints for Santigold's Master of My Make-Believe Album Cover
Date: May 1
Santigold commissioned Kehinde Wiley for a background painting in her Master of My Make-Believe album cover. The concept, that Santi creative directed, came from an idea to present three different versions of herself: two "identical twin lady guards" in custom Alexander Wang leotards and one tough-looking guy character in a suit. The painting by Wiley shows Santigold in a riding outfit, accompanied by a horse. Watch the making-of video on ArtInfo.
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1. Kanye West Premieres Cruel Summer film at Cannes
1. Kanye West Premieres Cruel Summer Film at Cannes
Date: May 23
Last May, Kanye West premiered the film Cruel Summer, preceding the G.O.O.D. Music album of the same name. While the film still hasn't been released to the public, it's been described as an "immersive seven-screen experience" about a Lamborghini thief (played by Kid Cudi) who falls in love with "a beautiful, blind Arabic girl whose father will let them marry if he can help her see." Both in its concept and execution at none other than the Cannes film festival in France, the film was undoubtedly a huge art highlight of the year as a whole, in addition to Kanye's trajectory of expanding his artistic repertoire beyond rapping. The hype and press for the film were astronomical and maintained even more exclusivity than this year's release of the Nike Air Yeezy II. Hopefully we'll all get a chance to see the film in 2013.
