StockX Select: Win BAPE's Notorious B.I.G. Photo Tee

StockX Select is your chance to own a piece of streetwear history, as we take a look back at some of the most iconic collaborations, rarities, and oddball items from your favorite streetwear brands. This week we are offering you the opportunity to win one of BAPE’s most legendary t-shirts. The prize is:

• BAPE Gallery x Shawn Mortensen Notorious BIG Photo Tee (2002)

To enter, click here and follow the instructions on the post.

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BAPE & Hip-Hop

BAPE’s history as a brand is inextricably linked to hip-hop and the culture surrounding it. From Nigo’s founding of the Teriyaki Boyz in 2005, to dozens of lyrics shoutouts from hip-hop artists like Kanye West & Soulja Boy, BAPE has been (and still remains) a stalwart brand on the hip-hop scene. Nigo’s affinity for hip-hop has also been made clear through the brand’s collaborations too, both during and after his time at the helm of the brand. Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Big Sean, and many more have had their image plastered on BAPE garments and footwear, alongside the official merch for the Teriyaki Boys of course.

 

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Shawn Mortensen

The story of the legendary Notorious BIG Photo Tee can’t be told without the man behind the camera, Shawn Mortensen. Mortensen was a LA-based photographer and artist who had a storied history working with brands like Stussy, Supreme, Nike and Levi’s. His activism also led him all over the world, photographing the Zapatista army in Mexico (which was featured in his 2005 Supreme collaboration), shantytowns in Jamaica, and the people of Lagos, South Africa, and more. His work has been featured on a variety of garments from streetwear brands like FUCT, Supreme, and BAPE.

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The Notorious BIG Tee

While Mortensen’s resume includes a handful of impressive works, his most recognizable piece (arguably) is his iconic photo of Notorious B.I.G. (aka Biggie Smalls) donning a classic BAPE Camo Snowboard Jacket. The story behind this photo is convoluted to say the least, but some sources say that Nigo’s penchant for hip-hop led him to send the NY-born rapper the jacket. Other claim that Mortensen simply draped the jacket over the rapper’s shoulder during the shoot. Regardless, the seminal photo became so important in the history of the brand that it was featured on one of BAPE’s only photo tees during a gallery exhibition featuring Shawn Mortensen’s work in 2002, and further exemplifies the foresight of both Nigo and Biggie in the late 90s, many years before the brand would become a global sensation. Check out this shot of the tee below, which you’ll have a chance to win this week.

 

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Thanks for checking out this week’s edition of StockX Select. This giveaway is now closed, congrats to our winner, Chris from Georgia. Stay locked to the StockX blog for all the latest news, releases, and giveaways.

Rules & Eligibility:

• Must be 18+ and a US resident
• Must like and comment on the official @StockX Instagram post announcing the giveaway (see the post here)
• Must be following the official @StockX, @StockXStreetwear, & @StockXSneakers Instagram accounts by 12:00pm (noon) EST on Friday, December 21st
• The winner must complete a W9 before taking possession of the prize
• For more information, see the complete rules here