Hard Rock Hotel Inducts Ja Rule Into Memorabilia Collection in Celebration of Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary
Ja Rule speaking at The Hard Rock Hotel | Photo Credit: Mac West
On Sept. 7 in Times Square, Chase Republic in partnership with Hard Rock Hotel NYC, inducted platinum-selling artist Ja Rule into their memorabilia collection. Honoring the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop and kicking off New York Fashion Week, Ja Rule gifted the Hard Rock artifacts a custom Off-White suit by the late Virgil Abloh worn during the BET Award '23 Awards Hip-Hop tribute performance.
The evening was filled with special guests, including Chase Republic founder Harold Wilkerson, GM of Hard Rock, David Salcfas, Hard Rock Vice President of Entertainment & Nightlife, Joseph 'Mongo' Mongeluzzi, and Vice President of Memorabilia and Design Giovanni Taliaferro, Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion of LVMH, N.A Corey Smith. 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 host of other industry tastemakers also joined the celebration.
GM of Hard Rock, David Salcfas, opened the ceremony with 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."
From left to right: Bronx Councilman Kevin Riley, Hard Rock Vice President of Entertainment & Nightlife, Joseph 'Mongo' Mongeluzzi, Chase Republic founder Harold Wilkerson, and Vice President of Memorabilia and Design Giovanni Taliaferro. | Photo Credit: Mac West
During the star-studded ceremony, Chase Republic founder Harold Wilkerson surprised Ja Rule with the Inaugural Essential Hustler of Hip-Hop Award and shared memories from his connection to Ja Rule throughout his career.
Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion of LVMH, N.A Corey Smith shared his admiration for the legacy Virgil 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!"
Ja Rule closed out the ceremony speaking to the impact hip-hop has not only on his career but generations, saying, "Hip-Hop is not just about the music, it's an art form, there's elements to Hip-Hop. It's about the way we walk, the way we talk, the fashion, and I'm glad we had this 50 year anniversary honoring the impact so we can celebrate all of the elements!"
