HISTORY OF THE JESUS PIECE

HISTORY OF THE JESUS PIECE

It's regarded as one of the most iconic pieces of Hip Hop jewellery in the world and has since been a symbol of religion/spirituality for those involved in a world of cruelty and "gangster" lifestyles. Now most Hip Hop followers recognize the iconic Jesus Piece so well, as it has been seen around the necks of probably your favourite Hip Hop stars...however only a few actually know about the origins and history of the Jesus Piece, but looking down the Hip Hop timelines one will realize that this Holy Bling has been around longer than you thought...lets get schooled!

"...Did Yeezy not get signed by Hov and Dame, Ran to Jacob’s and made the new Jesus Chains..."(Kanye West New God Flow) Whilst most of us actually got introduced to the Jesus Piece through Kanye West, it was not him who created it, but it was him who pushed it to the max(think about it). Having collaborated with the famed Jacob The Jeweller in 2004, creating a line of religious-themed jewlry. So it would be the right thing to say that the two worked on the Jesus Piece and "improved it", which still leads to the question..."who is the creator of the Jesus Piece?".

Although mr.West and Jacob are usually credited with inventing the Jesus Piece,long-time Hip Hop fans may recall seeing a similar piece around the neck of the Notorious B.I.G. in the mid-1990s. Having even rapped about it in the joint “I Love the Dough” on his famous “Life After Death” album in 1999 with the lyrics "You seen the Jesus…Even got rocks in the beard and moustache". The pendant is believed to have been created by the original OG designer, Tito. Currently the Iconic Jesus Piece features a crown of thorns encircling a flowing mane of hair and Jesus is also depicted with a thick beard and compassionate eyes, but originally the Piece was iced out with precious metals and gemstones, from diamonds in the hair to ruby tears running down the face. Jay Z even managed to scoop himself The Jesus Piece rumoured to be the same chain owned by Biggie, as Jay appeared on the cover of the Hip Hop magazine, XXL, in December 1999 sporting a gold Jesus piece, long before Kanye and Jacob jumped on it in 2004.

The Jesus Piece has been embraced as a way to share a belief with the world and has arguably became one of the most important pieces of jewellery in the Hip Hop fashion industry. Although the piece has encouraged the creations of other Jesus jewellery and accessory pieces, including a rosary-inspired necklace that features the Jesus head and a dramatically dangling, iced or beaded rosary that ends with either a crucifix or a second Jesus head, none is better than the original Yo! Shout-out to OG designer Tito for blessing us with a blessing and Shout-out to Yeezy for that Jesus Piece love...huh! :)

Rudzani "RooAT" Netshiheni