Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Estate Releases 50 Original Vinyls Of Iconic ‘Beat Bop’
In 1983, Jean-Michel Basquiat released Beat Bop—a single track showcasing a ten-minute rap battle between K-Rob and Rammellzee.
Now, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the late artist’s estate has announced it is releasing 50 original pressings of the iconic song, offering collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of Basquiat’s personal collection.
There’s no doubt Beat Bop holds a special place in hip-hop history. According to Rolling Stone, it is one of the “100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time.”
Interestingly, at the time, the tune was produced by Tartown Records Co, a label specifically established by Basquiat just for this pressing, displaying the painter’s creative genius and profound impact even on the music industry.
The Drop, a platform dedicated to providing exclusive and limited-edition releases, is putting up 39 out of the 50 copies up for grabs. Each of these copies is factory-sealed and presented in a handmade commemorative leather case.
Every copy comes with a signed certificate to authenticate its origin. This is the first time that the Estate has offered any pressings from Basquiat’s private collection for sale. Previously, the vinyl fetched prices exceeding US$100,000 at auctions.
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“It didn’t follow any rules. It was long and it didn’t have a hook. It was so free-form. There’s no record like it,” mused Profile Records founder Cory Robbins in a 2013 account of the work.
[via Rolling Stone and Hypebeast, images via Phillips]
