Image via Complex Original
In the last week, the art world has blown up with talk of Jay-Z's brief performance with Marina Abramovic. While some loved it, Magda Sawon, co-director of the Postmaster Gallery tweeted, "Performance art has died today" and criticized Pace Gallery for "crossbranding Jay-Z and Marina."
To that we say, to each his own. However, it is undeniable that the world of hip-hop and art have merged. What was once "one of the most impenetrable and cliquish industries," as Marina Galperina of Animal New York puts it, has opened up to everyone—and not just the elite—to enjoy. In fact, if there's anything Jay-Z's performance proves, it's that art is for everyone.
To celebrate this revelation, we've rounded up 20 Instagrams of Rappers Putting On the Art World, courtesy of the rapper's Instagrams. Turns out that Hov's not the only one with an affinity for fine art.
Iggy Azalea Does an Interview at David LaChapelle's Still Life
Iggy Azalea Does an Interview at David LaChapelle's "Still Life"
Date: 6/11/2013
Caption: ":D"
Apparently Iggy Azalea loves David LaChapelle, calling him her "photographer spirit animal." While in Paris, she had an interview in LaChapelle's "Still Life" exhibit.
Nas Checks out Mona Lisa
Nas Checks out Mona Lisa
Date: 7/4/2012
Caption: "Checking Out Some Art"
Even Nas has developed a taste for the arts, dropping in on The Louvre to snap a photo of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
Kanye West Voices His Sentiments on Art
Kanye West Voices His Sentiments on Art
Date: 6/26/2013
Caption: "Kanye West GOOD TASTE IS A GIFT BUT BAD TASTE IS A PRIVILEGE @kanyewest #kanyewest #goodtaste #badtaste"
Kanye West, who has made waves in the art world for his various album covers done by visual artists, voiced his own sentiments on art a few weeks ago. Written on a piece of paper, the rapper affirms, "Good taste is a gift, but bad taste is a privilege," which art curator Hans-Ulrich Obrist posted on his Instagram.
Chris Brown Does Art
Chris Brown Does Art
By now, we all know Chris Brown does art—even where it doesn't belong. After his spat with Frank Ocean this year, Brown deleted his Instagram, but we were able to scour the Internet for some of the pics.
Diddy Poses in Front of Mona Lisa
Diddy Poses in Front of Mona Lisa
Date: 10/23/2012
Caption: "The legendary Mona Lisa in Paris! #Art #Instagood"
Because everybody needs a photo with the iconic Mona Lisa, right?
A$AP Ferg Flaunts Painting
A$AP Ferg Flaunts Painting
Date: 3/11/2013
Caption: "'Punk is a angel' i painted this the week after my father passed away , just hung it back up. "
By now, fans of this A$AP Mob member have likely seen the painting done by A$AP Ferg, which hangs above A$AP Rocky's bed. Here's another incredible piece called Punk is a angel, which Ferg did after his father passed away.
Asher Roth Gazing at Rothko
Asher Roth Gazing at Rothko
Date: 1/15/2013
Caption: ""rothko" by @brockfetch"
Haha. Asher Roth. Rothko. We see what he did there.
Pharrell Poses with a KAWS Creation
Pharrell Poses with a KAWS Creation
Date: 12/20/2013
Caption: "Getting ready for my ARTST TLK interview... I'm so Comme..."
Everybody loves KAWS.
Pharrell Promotes JR
Pharrell Promotes JR
Date: 4/23/2013
Caption: "JR is a genius.. Invest in his work.... @jr"
Apparently one of Pharrell's favorite artists is JR, a street artist who started out in Paris. A self-proclaimed "photograffeur," he slaps large-scale black and white photos on public buildings throughout the world. Here's Pharrell showing some love.
A$AP Rocky Instagrams a Brock Fetch/Dela Deso Collaboration
A$AP Rocky Instagrams a Brock Fetch/Dela Deso Collaboration
Date: 10/4/2012
Caption: "BROCK FETCH"
While A$AP Rocky's Instagram are a chock full of portraits of him done by fans, the rapper also Instagrammed a shot of A$AP and company, done by Brock Fetch and Dela Deso.
image via
Damien Hirst Gifts Swizz Beatz with Art
Damien Hirst Gifts Swizz Beatz with Art
Date: 7/2/2013
Caption: "Gifts from D.H the Greate THX bro must frame this crazy!"
It must be a good life rolling with Damien Hirst.
Diddy Loves Jean-Michel Basquiat Too
Diddy Loves Jean-Michel Basquiat Too
Drake Sharing a Photo of a Possible Banksy Piece
Drake Sharing a Photo of a Possible Banksy Piece
Date: 3/19/2013
Caption: "Who dat"
Though it's not confirmed whether Drake has a Banksy stashed somewhere in his home, the rapper did Instagram a photo of a piece of artwork being unwrapped. Though we can't see the full image, the corner reads "A/P (most likely for 'Artist's Proof) Banksy '04."
Jay-Z Buying Hebru Brantley Painting at Art Basel Miami Beach
Jay-Z Buying Hebru Brantley Painting at Art Basel Miami Beach
Date: 12/11/2012
Caption: "Last day of #artbasel and my work goes into the Sean Carter Collection. Thanks Jay and B for your hospitality. JAYZ OWNS A HEBRU BRANTLEY!!!#jayz #beyonce"
Jay-Z may not have a Picasso, but he did pay $20,000 for a piece entitled Everybody's Scared by 31-year-old artist Hebru Brantley at Art Basel back in December. He supposedly had the Chicago-native artist hand deliver the piece to his hotel door.
Drake Sharing a Portrait of Himself by Mr. Brainwash
Drake Sharing a Portrait of Himself by Mr. Brainwash
Date: 7/15/2013
Caption: "Mr. Brainwash"
Now Drake is immortalized in the form of a Mr. Brainwash painting. And he owns it.
A$AP Rocky Shows Love for Neil Grayson
A$AP Rocky Shows Love for Neil Grayson
Date: 12/7/2012
Caption: "TOO RARE WIT THE HOMIE MIKE, @neilgraysonnyc @therealmikedean . A$VP"
A$AP Rocky looks like a total G with this portrait of hip hop producer Mike Dean, done by artist Neil Grayson.
Rick Ross at Art Basel Miami Beach
Rick Ross at Art Basel Miami Beach
Date: 12/5/2012
Caption: "Just purchased my 1st piece from Art Basel w/my lil homie Lyor. #bossup"
With an Instagram name like "richforever," Rick Ross chose an appropriate moniker for himself. Dude dropped some of that cash on Love is the Drug, a photograph by Richard Mosse at Art Basel back in December. Here he is, pictured above with the CEO of Warner Music Group Lyor Cohen.
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Rick Ross Buying Mr. Brainwash Pieces
Rick Ross Buying Mr. Brainwash Pieces
Date: 12/17/2012
Caption: "My 1st @mrbrainwash piece.True Genius. www.mrbrainwash.com"
Looks like Rick Ross has got quite the collection. Days after his Richard Mosse purchase, the rapper picked up some prints by street artst Mr. Brainwash.
Jay-Z Buying Basquiat Painting from Swizz Beatz
Jay-Z Buying Basquiat Painting from Swizz Beatz
Date: 6/27/2013
Caption: "Look who purchased my Basquiat on Benz Hood 2day what a honor and Blessing I'm so grateful for the support! July 4 its Showtime ART LIFE!!! I will use proceeds to continue helping kids in need"
While we know Jay-Z's walls are decked out with Jean Michel Basquiat's paintings, the rapper also recently purchased a portrait of the artist, done on the hood of a Mercedes Benz by Swizz Beatz.
Jay-Z Hugging Marina Abramovic at Pace Gallery
Jay-Z Hugging Marina Abramovic at Pace Gallery
Date: 7/10/2013
Caption: "Marina and Jay hugging. #COMPLEX #factsonly"
And of course, here's a snapshot of Jay-Z and Marina Abramovic hugging, taken by @cpasori! You saw this first from Complex!
image via
