Official Press Release: (Los Angeles, CA) RareInk today announced a partnership with hip hop icon Ice Cube with the unveiling of a series of original artwork in collaboration with RareInk ﾖ a charity-focused company delivering music fans original, authentic autographed art of their favorite recording artists created in conjunction with RareInkﾒs collective of fine artists from around the world.
ﾓExpanding the interaction with fans of my music by offering limited edition, signed artwork that they are able to share and enjoy with their friends and family is something I feel my fans deserve,ﾔ said Ice Cube, who in addition to being the RareInkﾒs first artist will serve as the companyﾒs strategic advisor. ﾓWith RareInk, music fans now have an online destination for unique, autographed art that they know is real. Not only does RareInk create amazing pieces of art that bring my albums and songs to life but a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Minority AIDS Project, an organization I have worked with over the past two decades.ﾔ
Ice Cubeﾒs first series of artwork will be released on Wednesday, June 22nd at 10:00 A.M. PDT; it is comprised of nine pieces available in limited edition runs of seventy-five to two hundred and fifty. The editions will be sold exclusively on RareInk.com and feature fine art quality prints of iconic photography, album covers, and original pieces.
Highlights include original artist reinterpretations of Ice Cubeﾒs classic ﾑAmerikkkaﾒs Most Wantedﾒ and ﾑThe Predatorﾒ album covers as well as a mural- themed piece based on his classic ﾑIt Was A Good Dayﾒ video. Each piece is hand signed by Ice Cube, with two of the editions also including his handprint, which he dipped in paint and applied to each print.
Ice Cubeﾒs first RareInk series features original works by artists MiQ Willmott (TWEEQIM), Kerry Laster (Phantom Kay), Mark Sgarbossa, Grzegorz Demoradzki (Gabz), and Leon Bedore (Tes One), as well as a portrait by renowned photographer Patrick Hoelck. The autographed large-scale prints range in size and price, from 24ﾒﾒ by 24ﾒﾒ album prints for $300, to the 36ﾒﾒ by 24ﾒﾒ Hoelck portrait which features Ice Cubeﾒs handprint at $700.
The RareInk website showcases video of Ice Cube signing the pieces and discussing the artwork and albums. The signing and interview footage is also included on a DVD that is packaged with each print. In order to ensure the authenticity of the signature and artwork, each RareInk print is affixed with a uniquely serialized anti-counterfeit label on the back and includes a certificate of authenticity noting the edition number.
ﾓIn the music business we take a hit song, sample part of it, and try to make another hit record with it. In the same way, RareInk has taken my albums and turned them into amazing works of stand-alone art. The series is something Iﾒm really proud of and Iﾒm sure other recording artists are going to want to get involved, both for their fans and their charities,ﾔ commented Ice Cube.
Music fans can visit RareInk.com to view Ice Cubeﾒs artwork and signing videos leading up to the premiere release of the series on June 22nd in addition to joining RareInkﾒs FaceBook page to receive exclusive information on soon to be announce collaborations with other musical icons and RareInk.
Videos:
Watch: General Overview: Ice Cube talks about the overall program
Watch: Giving Back / Charity: Ice Cube talks about the charitable impact of the program
