Even if you aren’t familiar with rap music, you probably know that larger-than-life jewelry is a huge part of hip hop culture. It showcases the wearer’s personality and individuality — and in the case of some of the biggest names in the rap industry, it is a symbol of success and status.
In the last several years, hip hop jewelry has become more of a mainstream commodity. From diamond-encrusted grills to 14k gold chains featuring larger-than-life links, many of the jewelry pieces made popular by rappers have made their way from the stage to fashion runways to the streets of cities and towns throughout the nation.
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While trends change, people have been wearing bold bling for decades to symbolize power, wealth and excellence. Today, custom hip hop jewelry pieces are among some of the most in-demand accessories in the fashion industry. So, why is custom hip hop jewelry so popular? Keep reading to find out!
Origins of Hip Hop Jewelry
Before we dive into why hip hop jewelry is so popular today, it’s important to discuss its origins. In the 1970s, the disco era led to the emergence of the hip hop genre. It was a time of cultural and political change, and during this time, a man named DJ Kool Herc threw parties that gained widespread attention in New York City. Through his experimentation with music, he combined the sounds from two records at the same time to create something he called a breakbeat. To this day, breakbeats form the backbone of hip hop music.
Herc usually wore a rope-style gold chain during his parties that made him instantly recognizable in the crowd. Both his musical and jewelry styles took hold, and rap music and hip hop jewelry have been around ever since.
CHECK OUT OUR DOPE 14K GOLD CHAINSIn the 1980s, musicians like LL Cool J and Biggie Smalls helped the rap genre break from its disco roots and develop its own unique sound. As the genre evolved and changed, though, there was one thing that united nearly all hip hop artists: the gold chain.
As the genre grew and became more mainstream, hip hop artists’ budgets grew, and so did their penchant for bold, eye-catching jewelry. Chains became thicker, pendants became larger and performers started wearing more and more jewelry while on stage and in their personal lives.
Today, the biggest names in hip hop show off their style with custom, one-of-a-kind pieces. Custom hip hop jewelry has made its way to the mainstream, too, and is now available to anyone with deep enough pockets.
Why Custom Hip Hop Jewelry Is So Popular
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Blingy hip hop jewelry is a powerful status symbol. With many rappers coming from humble origins, making it big in the industry and being able to afford custom gold and diamond jewelry is a massive accomplishment. Similarly, professional athletes, movie stars and even successful business people enjoy showing off their success in the form of custom jewelry.
The hip hop industry has long been dominated by men. However, as women like Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion climb the charts, women’s gold chains have become more popular than ever. Like their male counterparts, these women use their jewelry as a means of proving their success, power and ability to shake up the world of music. And fans of these talented women enjoy owning custom hip hop jewelry that reminds them of their favorite entertainers.
In the past, there were only a handful of jewelers who offered custom bling, and their prices made their products out of reach for pretty much everyone except successful musicians, professional athletes, etc. As the hip hop jewelry trend has grown, though, more and more businesses have started offering bold one-off pieces to meet consumer demand. And by offering lower-cost (but still high-quality) they have made hip hop jewelry more accessible to the masses, further spurring its popularity.
SHOP WOMEN’S GOLD CHAINS
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In Conclusion
Hip hop jewelry is about more than just fashion. It’s a symbol of uprising, power and wealth. While it’s impossible to predict future jewelry trends, it is highly unlikely that the popularity of bold, blingy jewelry and iced-out accessories will fade anytime soon. In fact, if current trends continue, it’s likely that the chains and custom pendants will get even better. After all, with great success comes huge bling!
If you’re in the market for some fresh hip hop jewelry, Daniel Jewelry NY you covered. Check out our full selection today to show off your style.