Change is everywhere. From fashionable food, commerce, transportation, medicine, and housing, virtually every facet of life has evolved since the days of the primitive hunter-gatherers. Everything is less jewelry.
African King Mansa Musa, the richest person in human history, who ruled much of West Africa between 1312 and 1337, loved to display his wealth through jewelry. Rudolph Ware, professor of history at the University of Michigan, explains: “There are pictures of him holding a golden scepter on a golden throne and a golden chalice with a golden crown on Head. Imagine as much gold as you think a human could own and duplicate it. All accounts are trying to communicate it. "
Jewelry has never been so ubiquitous as it is today in modern hip-hop culture. The most influential rap stars of our time, from coast to coast, across borders and oceans, wear jewelry. In fact, some jewelers are almost as famous as their superstar clients, with hundreds of thousands of social media followers in some cases.
Hip-hop jewelry had humble beginnings, but it has always symbolized black excellence and prestige. As it continues in this era, trends and styles have changed course. Let's take a walk through the history of hip-hop jewelry from its inception until today.
What is hip-hop jewelry?
Hip Hop jewelry is a new form of jewelry style that is taking the nation and even the world by storm. With big, bold and daring designs, hip hop jewelry adds a new element to jewelry making, harnessing all the skills of the most passionate jewelers. Due to its large and exaggerated design, hip-hop jewelry has been limited to the privileged few, namely the rich and famous, for many years. However, with the ever increasing prices of gold, platinum and diamonds, jewelers have been forced to develop innovative methods to create affordable jewelry. Thanks to much advancement in the industry, hip hop jewelry is now available to the greatest number.
THE ORIGIN OF HIP HOP JEWELRY:
Hip-hop jewelry emerged with the rise of hip-hop as a global force. In the early 1980s, rappers like Run DMC, LL Cool J, and Slick Rick began to dominate local airwaves, suddenly gaining fans from all walks of life. With the fans, there were record sales, and with the record, a lot of money. With many rappers of humble origins, buying hip-hop jewelry was like a symbol of success. Jewelry has always been a status symbol, but simple jewelry was not enough for rappers. Since hip-hop jewelry meant so much that it was a reminder of how far we've come, they wanted everyone to know about it. It started the trend towards big icy jewelry like giant rope chains, giant three- and four-finger gold rings, gold watches, gold teeth, and more. Hip-hop jewelry isn't big and loud just to show off; Rather, it is a symbol of the path that had to be taken to reach the point of success and is meant to inform others of your accomplishments.
Type of Hip Hop Jewelry:
Hip-hop jewelry comes in many forms. If you have a link exposed, there is a good chance that you can buy some hip-hop jewelry that can be worn on it. Hip-hop jewelry styles are available as pendants, chains, watches, rings, earrings, belt buckles, denim chains, tooth holders, shoe holders, etc. There have been some really unique designs in the past, like the 50 Cent G-Unit spinning locket. Rick Ross popularized the Ruby Gem counterparts. Recently, mini trailers have become very popular. There are no limits to hip-hop jewelry.
Custom hip hop jewelry:
Custom products are always a must! Not only does this show your design skills, but it always means that the part you have is one of a kind. Oftentimes people have personalized hip hop jewelry for their bands to show their unity.
It's a great way to show your loved ones how much they mean to you. An individual piece also means that you always have a special connection with those around you. No matter how far or near you they are, they will always have a part of you with them wherever they go.
The future of hip hop jewelry:
Jewelry trends can be hard to predict as modern rappers focus on the difference.
With that in mind, this volatility is exciting. As the sound of hip hop evolves, so does its style and essence. Chains could get thicker, pendants even crazier, and artists could find new ways to physically display their wealth.
Jewelry has always been a symbol of wealth since Mansa Musa used gold to display his influence among the masses. And although jewelry is no longer just for kings, you can still feel like it.
When hip hop gained popularity in the 1970s, small gold chains were the style of choice. But throughout the 2000s, the biggest diamond-encrusted chains became a means of proving he had succeeded.
Although these styles have not disappeared, the emphasis in modern times is on the competition. This made personalized followers more accessible and visible, allowing artists to stand out clearly from the crowd.
As We talk about the future, it's hard to guess where exactly hip hop jewelry will go. However, what will remain true is that hip hop is a cultural phenomenon with far-reaching influence that go beyond music.