Jacob Arabo

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Jacob Arabo (a.k.a. "Jacob the Jeweler", born Yakov Arabov) is a famed Bukharian-American Jewish jeweler who is owner and founder of Jacob & Company. He also claims fame to providing watches and other jewelry to hip hop artists, National Basketball Association players, and other celebrities like Sir Elton John, Bono, and Rudy Giuliani in the United States. In the mid-to late 1990’s, many music industry icons - as well as up and coming recording artists - were taken by Jacob’s unique creations. Personalities such as Whitney Houston and Mary J. Blige recommended Jacob to a host of their high profile male and female friends, spawning a buzz throughout the music industry which continues to resonate today [1]. Arabo has been referenced in numerous hip hop songs since around 2000. In keeping with hip hop style, his works are notable for conspicuous use of gold and diamonds, among other precious materials.

Arabo's work is so well known that his name is synonymous with expensive jewelry. Arabo also makes an appearance in the fighting game, Def Jam: Fight for NY.

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[edit] Legal issues

In November 24, 2004 Cartier filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Arabo, claiming he took Cartier watches and added diamonds, then resold them without permission. The Law and Order season 17 episode called Bling was based on his case.

In June 2006, Arabo was arrested by the FBI on money laundering charges. He is said to have used his jewelry business to launder up to 270 million dollars in drug money for the Black Mafia Family drug ring. Arabo denied all charges and was released after posting bail. On October 31, 2007, Arabo pleaded guilty to falsifying records and giving false statements to investigators who were looking into the drug ring, and faces a maximum of 46 months in jail and $US2,000,000 penalty. As part of the plea deal, the charges for money laundering were dropped.[2]

[edit] Partial list of songs that reference Jacob Arabo

Please note, that although this list is not complete, there is a trend that his name is being referenced more and more throughout the years. Although some artists say his name more than once, his popularity in songs is growing.

  • 1999 "Girl's Best Friend" by Jay-Z
  • 2000 "Put it On Me" by Ja Rule (Feat. Vita)
  • 2000 "Pullin Me In" by Wyclef Jean
  • 2000 "Round Up" by Lady May (Feat. Blu Cantrell & RV)
  • 2001 "Get Out My Way" by Cormega
  • 2003 "Thoia Thoing" by R Kelly
  • 2003 "Smellz Like A Party" by B2K
  • 2004 "Breathe Freestyle" aka in 2005 "Collecting Taxes" by Canibus
  • 2004 "All Falls Down by Kanye West (Feat. Syleena)
  • 2004 "Never Let Me Down by Kanye West (Feat. Jay-Z)
  • 2004 "We Don't Care" by Kanye West
  • 2004 "Ain't No Click" by Lloyd Banks (Feat. Tony Yayo)
  • 2004 "Pop That Booty" by Marques Houston (Feat. Jermaine Dupri)
  • 2005 "Da' Facelift" aka "Full Battle Rattle" by Canibus
  • 2005 "Poppin That Booty" by Marques Houston
  • 2005 "Curious" by Tony Yayo
  • 2005 "Project Princess" by Tony Yayo
  • 2005 "Stay Strapped" by Young Jeezy
  • 2005 "In My Hood" by 50 Cent
  • 2005 "Hate It or Love It" by The Game
  • 2005 "Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix)" by Kanye West
  • 2005 "Touch the Sky" by Kanye West (Feat. Lupe Fiasco)
  • 2005 "Get In My Car" by 50 Cent
  • 2006 "Yakub Da Jeweler (Skit)" by Lord Jamar
  • 2006 "Mr. Me Too" by Clipse (Feat. Pharrell)
  • 2006 "Innovators" by The Beyonders
  • 2006 "Say Word" by Uno Dos (Feat. Lakey The Kid, Cormega, & Cuba)
  • 2006 "Money Over Bullshit" by Nas
  • 2006 "Hip Hop is Dead" by Nas
  • 2006 "A Week Ago (Part 2)" by DJ Clue, The Game & Mario Winans
  • 2006 "Upgrade U" by Beyoncé Knowles & Jay-Z
  • 2006 "Wamp Wamp (What it Do?)" By Clipse (Ft. Slim Thug)
  • 2006 "All I Want is Mine" by Inspectah Deck
  • 2007 "Diamonds On My Damn Chain" by Fabolous (Feat. Lil Wayne)
  • 2007 "Slap it On" by Da G Street Kidz
  • 2007 "Ding!" by Royce Da 5'9"
  • 2007 "Pull It" by Joe Munro
  • 2007 "I'm Not Going Anywhere (I.N.G.A)" by Young Argo (Feat. Common)
  • 2007 "Real Playa Like" by Fabolous
  • 2007 "Trapstar" by Young Jeezy
  • 2007 "Success" by Jay-Z (Feat. Nas)
  • 2007 "I Get Money (Billion Dollar Remix)" by 50 Cent
  • 2007 "House Around My Neck" by Ya Boy

[edit] References

  1. ^ JACOB & Co. > ABOUT JACOB & Co. > History
  2. ^ Williams, Corey. "'Jacob the Jeweler' pleads guilty", Associated Press, 2007-10-31. Retrieved on 2007-11-01. 

[edit] External links

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