Like the Maharajas of India, hip hop has always had its kings. And like the rulers who once adorned themselves with jeweled turbans and strings of pearls, rappers now wear gold chains and diamond grillz. While jewelry in modern Western fashion is often coded as feminine, male adornment has long been a powerful expression of wealth, status, and identity, seen historically throughout the Mughal era and today within hip hop & rap culture.
Royal portraits of the emperor Shahjahan during the Mughal era (16-18th century)
Whilst down a rabbit hole of Mughal era art, I came across the royal portraits of the time. Rich, ornate paintings featuring kings, queens, and noblepeople centered inside patterned frames. More ornate than the intricacies of the portraits themselves however, were the sheer amount of jewels worn by the subjects, especially the men. It struck me that these bejeweled kings of the Mughal court reminded me so much of the ‘iced out’ male rappers of our time. There are not many instances in which I’ve seen heavily (and I mean heavily) accessorized men, as jewelry, and the opulence of it, is usually reserved for women.
The jewels of rappers Slick Rick and A$AP Rocky
In the ancient East, the significance of ornamentation amongst men was one that conveyed strength and dominance. During the Mughal era of India from 16th to 18th century, rulers adorned headpieces, necklaces, earrings, bangles, rings, and weapons, all encrusted with gems and precious stones. To be dripping in jewels was not superficial, it was symbolic of your strength and right to rule. Similarly, within modern hip hop & rap culture, jewelry remains an unmistakable symbol of dominance and self identity within the industry. Pieces are almost always customized, carrying symbolism unique to each artist. Jewelry provides ways to express personal success, faith, wealth, creativity and rebellion against a system often set against the wearers of the pieces. A reclamation and assertion of power symbolizing one’s journey and legacy.
(From left to right) Ja, Kodi, and Rakesh
With the creative help of photographer Eli Sethna, I sought out to explore male accessorization and the connections between heavy ornamentation and masculinity both through an ancient and modern lens, capturing how it transcended time and culture. Drawing inspiration from Mughal royal portraiture, we reinterpreted these visual traditions through a contemporary lens, working with Brooklyn-based rap collective Wild East Radio—made up of Ja, Kodi, and Rakesh. As vocalists, lyricists, and producers, their work blends hip hop and R&B, drawing influence from artists such as Aminé, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell, and Frank Ocean. Their personal style—like their sound—is expressive, intentional, and rooted in cultural narrative.
We chose to style the trio in garments and jewelry from Society of Cloth layered alongside their own signature pieces, creating a visual dialogue between two cultures who have always understood the power of adornment. This photo series is both a translation of the modern masculine self through the art of ornamentation as well as a reimagination of how masculinity is styled and signified.
Ja wears the Love Fish String, Small Belief Fish Studs, and the Dichotomy Sun & Moon Hair Clips, Danglers and Nose Chain.
Kodi wears the Mango String, Harness, Slices, Ear Cuffs, and Clips, along with the Wonder Mogra ear cuff and Belief Fish ear cuff.
Raskesh wears the Wonder Mogra String, Danglers, and Long Ear Cuff, along with the Small Mango Slices in the hair.
Check out Wild East Radio as well as our full selection of jewelry available online.
