Prominent pseudonymous NFT collector Cozomo de’ Medici recently declared a notable shift in digital art trends, stating on social media, > "BREAKING: Skulls back in style." The tweet, posted by an influential figure widely associated with rapper Snoop Dogg, suggests a renewed interest in skull-themed non-fungible tokens (NFTs) within the broader digital art ecosystem. This announcement comes as the NFT market navigates a period of maturation and redefinition following its initial speculative boom.
Cozomo de’ Medici has established themselves as a significant patron in the digital art space, known for curating a multi-million dollar NFT collection and making substantial donations, including works to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). While Snoop Dogg publicly claimed the identity of Cozomo de’ Medici in 2021, some observers maintain skepticism, suggesting the persona might be an asset manager for celebrities or a white man with ties to Italy. Regardless of the exact identity, the account's pronouncements often resonate across the NFT community.
The "skull art" trend is not entirely new to the NFT scene. Collections like XCOPY's "Max Pain and Frens," featuring distinctive "grumpy-looking skulls," have previously seen considerable sales volume and were highlighted by Cozomo de’ Medici. Similarly, "CryptoSkulls," an early 10,000-piece PFP (Profile Picture) collection launched in 2019, experienced a notable revival in popularity in late 2024, partly fueled by endorsements from NFT influencers. Other collections such as "Mysterious Oriental Skulls" and Jacky Tsai's "MetaSkull Collection" have also explored this artistic motif.
The broader NFT market experienced a significant downturn after its peak in 2021, with 2024 being characterized as a challenging year for digital art sales. However, analysts point to a potential shift in 2025 towards more utility-driven NFTs, tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), and the integration of AI-generated art. While trading volumes saw a slight resurgence in early 2024, the market continues to evolve, moving beyond raw speculation toward more foundational and meaningful applications. Cozomo de’ Medici's latest statement could indicate a niche artistic revival within this transforming landscape.