Music moguls JAY-Z and Beyoncé might have made waves with their new About Love Tiffany & Co. campaign – however – the brand’s decision to have them pose with iconic late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat‘s Equals Pi artwork has left some close associates upset.
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JAY-Z + Beyoncé’s Tiffany & Co. Ad Controversy
According to one of Basquiat’s close friends who lived and worked with him in the 80’s – Alexis Adler – the artsy decision did not come out right.
“I’d seen the ad a couple days ago and I was horrified,” Alexis Adler tells The Daily Beast. Adler, who lived with Basquiat in his earlier years of art-making between 1979-1980, maintains that “the commercialization and commodification of Jean and his art at this point—it’s really not what Jean was about.” (The Daily Beast)
The biggest issue for Adler centered on Tiffany & Co. appearing to use the artwork for monetary reasons rather than celebrating its beauty.
At first glance, it might seem like the function of the ad, to sell a more modern Tiffany & Co. to their wealthy consumer base, might align with Basquiat’s desire to sell his art at a high price, but where his art was displayed mattered more so than the monetary transaction itself. “Unfortunately, the museums came to Jean’s art late, so most of his art is in private hands and people don’t get to see that art except for the shows. Why show it as a prop to an ad?” asks Adler. “Loan it out to a museum. In a time where there were very few Black artists represented in Western museums, that was his goal: to get to a museum.” (The Daily Beast)
Over the decades, Basquiat’s artwork has been cherished and celebrated by artists including Young Hov and hitmaker Swizz Beatz.
JAY-Z + Beyoncé Get Diamond’d Out In New Pics
In August 2021, Bey went to her IG page to make some major statements. The singer and her husband JAY-Z had social media’s full attention courtesy of new pics modeling for luxury diamond brand Tiffany & Co.
The pics featured both JAY and Bey looking iced out and dressed in super luxurious fancy outfits.
“ABOUT LOVE | @tiffanyandco”
The diamond brand has also shared a teaser clip hyping up the duo donning iced-out pieces.
“The Carters for Tiffany & Co. #AboutLove #TiffanyAndCo – © Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York”
The Tiffany Yellow Diamond Campaign
According to reports, the pics weren’t accidental and were a part of Tiffany & Co.’s 2021 ‘About Love’ campaign. The full rollout went down globally September 2.
The power couple are still head over heels for each other today, nearly 20 years and three kids later. In a Tiffany & Co. campaign launching globally on Sept. 2, the singer and rapper, 51, are celebrating their love story and putting that undeniable ”’03 Bonnie & Clyde” chemistry on full display. “Love is the diamond that the jewelry and art decorate,” the couple — whose love was captured in a behind-the-scenes photo shared exclusively with PEOPLE — say in a statement. (PEOPLE)
Beyoncé Confirms New Music Is On The Way
After recently donning the cover of Harper’s Bazaar, which included a new interview, Bey fans were hyped about what’s to come.
Queen Bey revealed she’s been clocking in major time in the studio and vowed a project is on the way. She hasn’t dropped a solo project in over five years, so fans are more than ready for new audio fire.
“HARPER’S BAZAAR September 2021”
“With all the isolation and injustice over the past year, I think we are all ready to escape, travel, love, and laugh again. I feel a renaissance emerging, and I want to be part of nurturing that escape in any way possible. I’ve been in the studio for a year and a half. Still, there’s nothing like the amount of love, passion, and healing that I feel in the recording studio After 31 years, it feels just as exciting as it did when I was 9 years old. Yes, the music is coming!”
