Chuck D, founder, leader, and frontman of revolutionary and critically acclaimed group Public Enemy is offering the historic open letter he wrote to the Grammys in 2020 denouncing the ouster of Grammy president/CEO Deborah Dugan. In a unique and appropriate pairing, the lot consists of the original physical letter signed by Chuck D, along with the original digitized file, and a screengrab of the letter’s first public dissemination, on Chuck D’s Instagram account, the latter two minted together as an NFT (estimate $20/30,000). In addition to his legacy as an activist and author who helped create and define politically and socially conscious Hip Hop, Chuck is also a visual artist who works in digital and paint mediums. The auction also features Chuck D’s portrait of Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello minted as an NFT (estimate $5/8,000).

Legendary Hip Hop radio personalities Stretch and Bobbito have collaborated with critically acclaimed designer and director Omar Acosta to create “NNNOOO!” a 3D animated virtual cassette paying homage to Hip Hop’s transformative era. The NFT features a digitally remastered archival audio mic break from the duo’s groundbreaking 1990s radio show, which was the launching pad for then unsigned and up-and-coming artists such as Nas, Jay Z, Wu-Tang Clan, The Notorious B.I.G., Mobb Deep, Big Pun, the Fugees, Cypress Hill, and Eminem. Stretch produced a new beat to score and enhance the comedic excerpt (estimate $3/5,000).

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Emanon’s Baby Beat Box, Inscribed by Keith Haring (creator of the cover art) to Album Producer Afrika Islam (estimate $7/9,000)
Original Concept Art for Beastie Boys License to Ill Album Cover (estimate $5/8,000)
Historic Drum Machines and Studio Gear Used by Afrika Islam And Ice-T (estimate $4/6,000)
Jazzy Jay’s Early Hip Hop Event Flyer Collection (estimate $20/30,000), and A Hand-Selected Sacred Crate of Vinyl (estimate $6/9,000)
One of the earliest works by Futura to come to auction (estimate $30/50,000)
Chuck D’s Original, Tour-Worn silver Raiders Starter Jacket, Signed by him (estimate $7/10,000)
A Sable Fur Coat and Hat Custom Made for The Late Biz Markie (estimate $15/20,000)
Original Artwork by Futura, Keith Haring, Lady Pink, Shock G, DELTA2, DOZE, ZEPHYR, FREEDOM, Roberto Lugo, Carlos Rolón, Danny Cortes & Dan Lish, among others
Outrageous hand-made giant gilded 'Gangsta' Frame build by Shawn Brauch of Pen & Pixel, complete with integral multi-color LED lighting and sound system, and featuring a print of the original artwork by Pen & Pixel for Snoop Dogg’s album Da Game is to Be Sold Not to Be Told (estimate $5/7,000)

THE ARCHIVE OF SKATELAND U.S.A., COMPTON, CA
PRIVATE SALE

Timed to coincide with the Hip Hop auction, Sotheby’s will also offer a special private sale for the archive of Skateland U.S.A. – an exciting historical record from the legendary Los Angeles roller rink that provided a critical incubator for early Hip Hop culture in Los Angeles, and where some of the biggest names in Hip Hop got their start, including Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube and N.W.A. The sale includes an impressive selection of show posters, rink signage, apparel, and audio equipment – most notably the original Technics SL-1200MK2 turntables used in every Skateland show from 1984-1988.

MODERN COLLECTIBLES
OPEN FOR BIDDING 21 – 31 MARCH

In addition to the Hip Hop auction, Sotheby’s also presents the inaugural Modern Collectibles auction, open for bidding online from 21 – 31 March, and on public view at Sotheby’s New York from 26 – 29 March, as part of newly conceived Pop Culture week. Featuring an emerging group of property that is helping to define a cultural relevance in the collectibles category, the selection ranges from sneakers to sports cards to skateboards and fine leather trunks. Just in time for the 25th anniversary of Men in Black, the auction features a Will Smith screen worn t-shirt from the film (estimate $20/40,000); a Panini National Treasures 'Assistant to the Traveling Secretary’ card featuring ‘Seinfeld’s’ George Costanza (estimate $1/2,000); a 2016 ‘Back to the Future’ Nike MAG (estimate $60/80,000), and a 1986 GEM MT 10 Jordan Rookie Card, one of the most sought-after sports cards (estimate $300/500,000).