“Ice on my neck, Ice on my wrist you know,” is the catchiest lyric in Skiibii’s 2019 single, “Daz How Stars Do”. On the surface, the track embodies the beauty of Afrobeats catchy lyrics and infectious beats, but beneath it is also the genre’s affiliation with luxury and opulence.
For most Afrobeats artists at the pinnacle of their careers, a commissioned, expensive jewellery piece is an emblem of success. While neckpieces are also an investment for some; a secure way of tying down funds, for others, it’s all for the grandshow of it.
Here are the most expensive neckpieces in Afrobeats till date.
Davido’s Timeless Piece by Kettle Brothers (2023)
The singer commissioned the piece to celebrate the success of his album, Timeless. The Cuban chain features an array of 350 Carats diamonds and weighs 1.5kg. According to the Kettle Brothers, the piece was “constructed with a 1-carat pear diamond above the pendant. 4 – 0.5ct pear diamonds in the centre. A 30-pointer boarder for ‘30 Billion Gang’, as well as a 30-pointer boarder around the hourglass. ‘30BG’ across the bespoke Cuban chain. ‘30BG’ Baguette cut display.”
It’s reportedly worth ₦557 million.
Rema’s The Ornament of Ravery by A Jewellers (2023)
Rema commissioned the exquisite piece to mark the groundbreaking success of his debut album, Rave and Roses.
This masterpiece is made with over one kilogram of solid gold, 60 carats of colourless diamonds, and nearly 90 carats of coloured diamonds. The pendant is modelled after a burning house on the Rave and Roses album cover. It’s reportedly worth over ₦200 million.
Burna Boy’s Gambo piece by A Jewellers (2023)
The singer immortalised his late friend, Gabriel “Gambo”, by commissioning a piece in his honour. The pendant and Cuban chain features over 220 VVS diamonds and GIA-certified diamonds. During the 2022/2023 Champions League final in June, the singer caused a stir after taking off the piece and wearing it on famous footballer, Thierry Henry.
Tiwa Savage’s African Bad Gyal piece by Boz Diamonds (2023)
Tiwa Savage copped the expensive piece amid trending reports of an alleged kidnap attempt on her in April 2023. The custom piece, designed by Boz Jewellery, features VVS-certified diamond stones on an ABG pendant and necklace.
Davido’s 001 piece by Benny Da Jeweller (2022)
Davido’s 001 piece was the singer giving himself a pat on his back for selling out the O2 Arena venue in London for a second time.
The piece features large cuts of green diamonds that form the 001 pendant, a smaller-sized pendant in the Nigerian flag and a diamond-studded Cuban necklace. It was delivered alongside a new Richard Mille wristwatch, and according to the jeweller, Davido coughed out $500k for it.
Burna Boy’s ODG piece by A Jewellers (2022)
What better way to reward oneself after a hugely successful year? Burna commissioned the ODG piece in celebration of an amazing 2022. The piece, designed by A Jewellers, has over 100 GIA-certified diamonds and 300 VVS diamonds. The singer, via an Instagram post, said the piece is worth over $1m.
Davido’s Frog Face Pendant by Icebox (2021)
In 2021, Davido left fans shook after commissioning a frog face pendant. It was the singer’s way of taking a spin on the constant comparison of his voice to a frog’s. The diamond-studded piece reportedly cost him $150k.
Wizkid’s Jesus pieces by A-Jewellers (2021)
The singer’s Jesus-themed pendant caused a stir on social media when he purchased it in 2021. Wizkid commissioned A Jewellers for the 60-carat diamond-studded pieces alongside diamond-studded Cuban necklaces. According to the jeweller, each piece cost about £300,000 bringing the total to £600,000.
Tiwa Savage’s Savage pendant by Icebox (2021)
The singer commissioned a customised Savage pendant with Icebox in 2021. The piece features VVS diamond cuts and reportedly cost over $100K.
Davido’s Ifeanyi piece by Icebox
Months after the birth of his first and now deceased son, Ifeanyi Adeleke, the 30BG crooner splashed a whopping ₦150 million on a pendant modelled after his face. The Icebox-designed pendant features white, blue and gold colour VVS-certified diamond stones.
Your budget might not get you a diamond necklace but it’ll cover a ticket to our upcoming meat festival.
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