It tells the story of someone from Brooklyn occupying the urban space - a place that is as central to my own work as it is to his. JAY's album Reasonable Doubt changed the game 25 years ago, and continues to influence so many of us. With this NFT project, we jointly embrace the opportunity to further the conversation about how artists of different mediums contribute to a more inclusive society. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit The Shawn Carter Foundation, and support its mission of helping individuals facing socio-economic hardships further their education at postsecondary institutions.ĭerrick Adams commented: "Over the years JAY has collected and supported my work, and so this collaboration is particularly fulfilling. Sotheby's will accept cryptocurrency (Ether and Bitcoin) as a payment option for the work, which will be facilitated through Coinbase Commerce. The digital artwork is also now on view in Sotheby's York Avenue Galleries from today through 1 July and virtually via Sotheby's gallery in the Voltaire Art District in Decentraland. Emphasizing the symbolic relationship between success and a cigar, Adams makes the work come to life through animated glowing red embers and a stream of smoke that rises from the end of JAY's iconic cigar, and transforms into the number 25 in honor of the album's anniversary.īidding for Heir to the Throne: Celebration of JAY-Z's Reasonable Doubt 25th Anniversary by Derrick Adams, an NFT starts at $1,000 and is now open online through 2 July at 10am ET. The work is inspired by the two men's shared engagement with life in the urban streets, including the dreams and challenges associated with it. Featuring his singular aesthetic style of bright colors, geometric forms, multi-layered textures, and flat surface dimensions, Adams has made a cinematic visual experience that channels not just the spirit and impact of the music, but also the aspirational impulses of a young musician at the dawn of his career.
The one-of-one NFT titled Heir to the Throne, which was the original title of the album, is composed of a single animated digital image in which Adams creates a fresh and contemporary visual representation of Reasonable Doubt. ONLINE AUCTION OPEN FOR BIDDING TODAY – JULY 2 The auction is also the only official event authorized by JAY-Z to commemorate Reasonable Doubt's historic 25 th anniversary. Having met several years ago, JAY-Z and Adams established an immediate artistic dialogue between them, and this collaboration marks the first NFT either has created and offered for sale. Mannion’s right to sell fine art prints of his copyrighted works, and will review the complaint and respond in due course.NEW YORK, J/PRNewswire/ - To celebrate the 25th anniversary of JAY-Z's Reasonable Doubt, his pioneering and landmark debut album that was originally released on 25 June 1996 and forever changed Hip Hop, the legendary artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist has commissioned critically admired multi-disciplinary artist Derrick Adams to create a one-of-one animated digital artwork that comments on and recontextualizes the album's iconic cover, which will be sold by Sotheby's as an NFT in a special single-lot auction. We are confident that the First Amendment protects Mr. Carter would similarly respect the rights of artists and creators who have helped him achieve the heights to which he has ascended. Carter and his body of work, and expects that Mr.
Carter over the years and is proud that these images have helped to define the artist that Jay-Z is today,” Mannion’s attorney, Sara Hsia, said in a statement. Mannion-who is renowned as one of hip-hop’s top photogs-has returned fire, claiming that his actions are lawful and that he’s of no wrong-doing in the matter. Jay-Z has requested a permanent injunction that would halt and prohibit all usage of his likeness by Mannion and his associates. Mannion is also accused of selling several photographs of Jay-Z over the years, netting himself thousands of dollars in the process.
It also states that “the amount in controversy, exclusive of interest and costs, exceeds $75,000,” a figure that stems from Jonathan Mannion Photography, LLC’s usage of a photo of Carter on its website’s front page and selling “Fame Wall” T-shirts that “display Jay-Z’s name at the top” and above other well-known artists that Mannion has photographed.