On the Song “Politics As Usual” Jay Z raps “I took my Frito to Tito in the district, Blessed me with some VS”. Jay Z’s lyrics boasting his flamboyant life are not rare but who is this Tito guy he talks about. This is the story of Tito Caicedo, Hip Hops first jeweller.
Lifethe so
Tito Caicedo was the son of Manny Caicedo, an Ecuadorian immigrant who became the go-to jeweller for drug dealers and pimps throughout New York in the 1970s. By 1984, Manny had earned enough to open a store in the Diamond District, named “Manny’s New York.” But he wasn’t alone in this venture —his son Tito, just 25 at the time, was right by his side. Tito recognized the rise of Hip Hop and quickly capitalized on the genre’s growth.
He recalled his big break during the 80s saying “I got a call from a gangster in Queens saying, ‘I’m gonna send over a friend of mine.’ It was LL Cool J.” – Vanity Fair 2006
Manny’s New York Celebrity Clientele
As well as Jay Z and LL Cool J, Biggie Smalls was also one of Tito’s customers. In the song “I love the Dough” Biggie rapped “Tito smile every time he see our faces”. Biggie wasn’t just any ordinary customer, he was another major catalyst in Tito’s success. Together they would create the iconic Jesus Piece which became synonymous with Biggie and later a staple in Hip Hop culture.
Manny’s New York attracted many stars looking to upgrade their jewellery game. Amongst them were names like Rakim, Nas, Biz Markie and many more.
In 2006, Tito told Vanity fair ” Maybe I should have fought harder for what I have”. After holding the title of Hip Hops jeweller in the 80’s by the late 90’s this titled now belonged to Jacob Arabo of Jacob & Co. Although he couldn’t maintain his status as Hip Hops jeweller or even transcend that title like Jacob did, his contributions to the industry cannot go unrecognised.
By the late 1990s, however, Tito’s reign as Hip Hop’s go-to jeweller came to an end. The title now belonged to Jacob Arabo of Jacob & Co., who transcended that name becoming a global name. Reflecting on his career in a 2006 Vanity Fair interview, Tito said, “Maybe I should have fought harder for what I have.” Although Tito didn’t maintain his status as Hip Hop’s top jeweller or achieve global recognition like Jacob, his contributions to the industry cannot be overlooked.
Conclusion
There’s often a stigma attached to children who inherit their parents’ empires, with people overlooking the hard work it takes to keep the legacy alive. Tito Caicedo is a shining example of a son who not only upheld his father’s legacy but also elevated it. He saw the potential in a growing industry and seized the opportunity, becoming a pioneer in the Hip Hop jewellery game. More than just a successor, Tito was a trailblazer. Rest in peace, Tito Caicedo.