The idea of rap stars as royalty is hardly new -- hip hop artists from Rick Ross to Lil' Kim to Run-DMC have been rapping for years about their transformation into self-made kings and queens. But in his paintings, British artist Amar Stewart takes that idea of rap royalty and places it in a literal context, portraying artists like Biggie, Questlove and Mary J. Blige as actual royals -- who happen to be living in the 17th century.

We talk with Amar Stewart about finding inspiration from Dutch painter Frans Hals at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, painting to the music of Jay-Z and Tupac and moving to Brooklyn. Plus, art gallery owner Sean Leonard shares the harrowing tale of how he chased down a thief who made off with one of Stewart's paintings last weekend and successfully got it back.