Something About Rocks, Issue 13

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Explore the Autumn 2025 ‘Hip Hop & Fashion Issue’ of Something About Rocks featuring Slick Rick, Swizz Beatz, Harriet Slater, and Georgie Farmer. Dive into the worlds of jewellery, fashion, and street culture, plus exclusive interviews, Met Gala insights, and more.

AUTUMN 2025 – ‘HIP HOP & FASHION ISSUE’

The Autumn 2025 issue of the jewellery-first magazine Something About Rocks launches on July 7^th, 2025.

Issue #13 is the ‘Hip Hop & Fashion Issue’ highlighting the symbiotic & connected worlds of fashion, street culture and jewellery around the globe.

Hip Hop has always been more than beats and rhymes; it is about expression and breaking from the norms.

That individual spirit from the streets is embodied in jewellery and this multi-cover issue is dedicated to that shine:

Slick Rick the iconic rapper tells us about going back to his London roots with his first new album in 26 years, working with Idris Elba, Giggs and Nas, his love of jewellery and what the future holds.

The rapper and producer Swizz Beatz discusses his fine jewellery collaboration with Brazilian jeweller Ara Vartanian, his memories of his mentor – legendary rapper DMX and the return of Verzuz with Timbaland.

The star of Outlander spin-off Blood of My Blood, Harriet Slater tells us about what we can expect from the new show, her love of Tiffany & Co. jewellery and the magic of time travel.

George Farmer, the star of hit Netflix show Wednesday, tells us what we can expect from season two of the hit Netflix show, what it was like working with Tim Burton, Steve Buscemi and Billie Piper, and his love of Rolex watches.

Jewellery historian Vivienne Becker explores the role of jewellery within this year’s Met Gala extravaganza & exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.

Explorer Mike Horn tells us how he came close to death, why he trusts his watchmaker Panerai, and what it takes to front it out in front of a firing squad.

We also crossed the Atlantic to Rome, to shoot Bvlgari’s High Jewellery, a house that understands that craftsmanship and storytelling go hand in hand.

We also take a deep dive into the history of Hip Hop and jewellery and explore how the music influenced fashion and jewellery like no other musical genre.

SLICK RICK QUOTES

On working with Idris Elba: 

“He brought me to England and France, and we just started recording at his private studio and a few different places that he works at when he’s not doing movies…We had a ball. We had a blast. Then the next thing you know, what we had was worthy of releasing to the public.”

“[Idris Elba is] authentically into the music…He is Hip Hop. He walks like us, talks like us, dresses like us. He pretty much is us.”

On rappers making recent returns to music after time away:

“We’re just trying to keep the culture alive, Hip Hop the way we like it and then see if the public agrees…We do it for the love of the music because that’s what we grew up on. That’s what we did for fun. We just want to see if the public appreciates the new work that we’re putting out.”

On his Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award:

“It was a nice honour…It gives you a little prestige, you get to hang a little Grammy up in the house…It’s one of those things you aspire to get to, and then when you get there, you just pat yourself on the back, have a glass of champagne and keep it moving.”

His philosophy/the future:

“As you grow you become better, and that becomes more valuable to yourself and to others. Just grow, grow, grow, grow. Show that you don’t have to be one dimensional. It’s all different frequencies…I just want to expand my horizons and enjoy it. I make sure I enjoy myself, because I can’t expect anybody to enjoy it if I don’t enjoy it for myself.”

SWIZZ BEATZ QUOTES

On his friend and mentor, the late rapper DMX:

“X was just authentic. Even as a multi-millionaire, you wouldn’t know. He would write in abandoned buildings to get the essence. He wasn’t into a lot of fancy cars and fancy jewellery. He was just always in the essence of music and Hip Hop and staying true to how he started. He wasn’t blinded by the glitz and fake industry which separated him from most. He just taught me how to keep my boots on the ground and stay real.”

On the return of Verzuz:

“It’s been a lot of work, a long process to build something and rebuild it again. The easiest thing [would be to] leave as is. When we started, those were the early days and now, we own [the show] a hundred percent again and we know what to do differently. Most people would have given up on it, but me and Timbaland were like, ‘let’s keep it going no matter what people think’. At the end of the day, it’s easy for everyone to sit on the sideline and give up, but it takes true warriors to keep fighting and show people that it’s never too late no matter what the situation is.”

“…[The new iteration of the show will] not too different. Because we don’t want to go so far from the essence. We plan on giving people something amazing, but we also plan on showcasing new talent as well.”

On his new collection with Ara Vartanian:

“The thing I enjoyed most about it was the organic energy around it and how we took our time. We didn’t really have deadlines and stuff like that. We were just doing everything until we felt it was right. It wasn’t rushed. Everything had purpose, everything had meaning and everything was unique…We said, ‘let’s do one-of-one’s [pieces] in the collection. None before, none to come’, because I feel that’s what the brand represents. That’s also what I represent and that’s what unique people that want unique things represent.”

On the theme of this year’s Met Gala

“To see everybody embracing the culture, to see the brands that have been shaped through the culture of our scene was amazing…To be [recognised] was super amazing and way overdue, but it was celebrated properly. It was one of my favourite Met Galas I’ve ever been to.”

On the most important piece of jewellery he owns and wife Alicia Keys
“It’s my wedding ring…This reminds me of how lucky I am to have a foundation with my queen, and the foundation that she and I [have] created for our kids. The foundation that we helped to create for other people, other artists too…it’s what matters the most.”

GEORGIE FARMER QUOTES

On Wednesday season 2:
“There are so many twists and turns! I remember as we were filming, you would think ‘oh yeah I’ve figured it out, I get it now’ and then suddenly something happens in the last moment and [changes all that]. I think fans of the show are going to be so excited because not only is it sort of everything that everyone loved from the first season, but it’s also that plus a hundred times more…It’s a real adventure!”

On Wednesday season 2 being darker:

“Oh as soon as I read the first episode – the first six minutes of the show – I was like ‘oh we’re going there!’ Fans can expect for Wednesday to get a lot darker and a lot more twisted too.”

On working with Tim Burton:

“He’s the greatest. I was a massive Tim Burton fan before Wednesday…The thing about Tim is that he’s just the nicest man…so kind and such a pleasure to work with. He really cares about what you think – he’s always asking your [thoughts]. He also puts so much trust in you as an actor: it’s the best collaborative experience I’ve ever had in my life.”

On working with new cast member, Steve Buscemi

“He was so nice to us. I can’t stress enough how generally interested he was in you and how much time he would take for the younger side of the cast. He would spend like so much time speaking with us at work and even outside of work too. We’d go out for dinner, and he would sit with you share his knowledge of the industry. It was such a highlight, meeting him and getting to know him: he’s such an incredible person.”

On getting advice from Stranger Things star, Finn Wolfhard

“I spent some time with Finn Wolfhard in Germany and we went out for dinner. I don’t want to say what he told me because I want to keep it between us, but just for him to even just sit with me and talk with me for that long and offer me advice was incredible. Honestly, he was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. He’s great and they’ve all been great, like every time I’ve met anyone from that show, they’re just so nice. I can’t wait for the final season of Stranger Things: it’s going to be incredible.”

On his favourite watches:

“Growing up, I always loved Rolex, as well as Patek Philippe, Omega and Tudor. I remember seeing the Rolex Daytona on actors at the Cannes Film Festival on the red carpet and being like, ‘that’s so cool!’ I always wanted to buy a watch so when I finished filming season one, I bought myself a 41 inch Rolex Datejust with the blue dial and a fluted bezel. A classic staple! I actually wore it to the season premiere of Wednesday too.”

HARRIET SLATER

On Blood of My Blood

“It’s basically a Romeo and Juliet story”, she explains. “She and Brian Fraser are from rival clans. It’s forbidden from the start.”

The jewellery in the show – extract

Much of the jewellery that’s familiar to Outlander fans also appears in the show. The story of the freshwater pearl necklace that Jamie gave to Clare on their wedding day is told and it’s revealed as a wedding gift from Brian to Ellen. “It’s a lovely origin story,” Slater says. “There are also other jewellery pieces that play an important role in the story like the brooch with the MacKenzie clan motto – Luceo Non Uro – ‘I shine, not burn.’ That’s such a big part of who Ellen is. She’s proud of her clan, but she’s not willing to sacrifice her identity.” We also learn about the significance of the tusks that were a wedding gift to Ellen from Murtagh. “He’s obviously in love with her which is unrequited,” she explains.

On Blood of My Blood being on set in Scotland:
“On our first day on location I literally felt like this feels like 1700’s Scotland…I couldn’t see any cameras, just 150 extra’s, bonfires and the smell of everything. It was completely immersive. I think filming dramas feels a bit like time travel…Scotland is the main character. Like in one scene, there’s a bridge scene where Ellen and Brian meet and it was the most beautiful, picturesque, perfect fairytale Bridge, in the middle of nowhere. The beauty of Scotland is breathtaking sometimes”.

On the cast of the show, and the cast of Outlander
 “We’re so close, which is quite rare but so lovely. Everyone lived near each other in Glasgow. Every weekend we were at someone’s house…I had a lovely call with Catriona Balfe [she told me to] really enjoy it and soak it all up.”

On Tiffany and Co.

“I love jewellery. Always have…Seeing that table of Tiffany pieces on the press shoot, it was like something out of a dream. It reminded me of Breakfast at Tiffany’s which was one of my favourite films growing up.”