The Certified Lover Boy’s latest piece of bespoke bling pays homage to past flames.
Canadian rapper Drake recently revealed a necklace he commissioned from New York jeweler Alex Moss. The work, which features 42 diamonds taken from engagement rings, took 14 months to craft. “New piece titled ‘Previous Engagements’ for all the times he thought about it but never did it,” Moss wrote in an Instagram caption. Drake proudly rocked the one-off creation onstage during the Lil Baby and Friends Birthday Celebration Concert at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on December 9 (pictured above).
“The design was a joint effort, I wanted to come up with a concept that was out of the box, something different, something at a high jewelry level and taste,” Moss told Robb Report. “Not a typical chain, because Drake is not a typical artist.”
The necklace features or 351.38 carats worth of diamonds in unusual cuts and settings. Each gem also represents an important milestone in Drizzy’s love life. Although the Grammy-winning rapper has never announced any engagements publically, it appears he was close no fewer than 42 times.
“The project was extremely difficult,” Moss adds. “Holding ourselves to such high standards this chain took even more time to make sure the stones all matched in color, cut and clarity.”
This isn’t the first time Moss and his eponymous studio have crafted a custom piece for Drake. Earlier this year, the New York jeweler unveiled the 18-karat white-gold Goldfather Ring encrusted with a collection of 13 diamonds. Moss also handcrafted a fully diamond-set necklace and bracelet to match the ring and Drake’s signature diamond studs. Moss is also responsible for Champagne Papi’s Lucky Number 11 Ring, which features the owl motif synonymous with Drake’s fashion label OVO (October’s Very Own).
“We strive to create timeless iconic pieces in all of our work, but this one is definitely in my personal top five,” Moss adds. “Working with drake just feels so natural I felt like I’ve known him for years, we both grew up in Toronto so maybe it has something to do with that. It was a pleasure and an honor, but the scary thing is we’re only just starting.”
Of course, Moss has a healthy A-list clientele that extends beyond the “Hotline Bling” singer. In his Fifth Avenue workshop, the jeweler has forged glitzy pieces for the likes of Tyler, the Creator, Jack Harlow and Bella Thorne. Each design has the same maximalist aesthetic for celebs who like to show off flashy jewelry.
Drake certainly fits into that category. The musician has previously flexed an emerald-encrusted Patek Philippe Nautilus designed by the late Virgil Abloh, as well as a Rolex Day-Date with a turquoise dial and a sparkling bezel set with 32 diamonds. This new iced-out chain should fit right in with the rest of his glitzy collection.
