As the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop continues on the heels of New York Fashion Week, Chase Republic, in partnership with Hard Rock Hotel NYC inducted Hip-Hop legend and icon Ja Rule into their memorabilia collection.
At the special ceremony hosted at The Hard Rock Hotel in Times Square, New York, Ja Rule gifted to the Hard Rock artifacts, a custom Off-White suit designed by the late Virgil Abloh, which he wore during the BET Award ’23 Awards Hip-Hop tribute performance.
General Manager of Hard Rock, David Salcfas, opened the ceremony with his remarks.
“50 years ago in the boroughs of New York a cultural revolution was born and Hip-Hop emerged as a platform of self-expression and forced a change. Tonight is a special night where we pay tribute to its enduring legacy with our guest of honor a NYC legend and iconic rapper Ja Rule.”
During the star-studded ceremony, Chase Republic, founder Harold Wilkerson surprised Ja Rule with the Inaugural Essential Hustler of Hip-Hop Award.
Hard Rock Vice President of Entertainment and Nightlife, Joseph ‘Mongo’ Mongeluzzi and Vice President of Memorabilia and Design, Giovanni Taliaferro were also in attendance.
Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion of LVMH, North America, Corey Smith also alluded to the legacy Abloh made to Fashion and Hip-Hop:
“Virgil was arguably was one of the most impactful designers of this era. I had the opportunity to work with him before his untimely passing, his attention to detail and the way he incorporated music into fashion through design was a testament to how genius, he changed the culture!”
Among the notable attendees were Media Personality Angela Yee, Rapper Bang of Junior M.A.F.I.A, Rapper Chi Ali, Bronx Councilman Kevin Riley, Hip-Hop Activist Mysonne Linen, Media Personality Rocsi Diaz, Actress Tationna Bosier and a host of other industry tastemakers.