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Site under development -30% on the General Public Collection / CODE: "ICEVVS " - LIMITED STOCK
Site under development -30% on the General Public Collection / CODE: "ICEVVS " - LIMITED STOCK
The gold chain is an integral part of men's fashion , especially in the hip hop industry. It can symbolize a number of things, including a person's social status or class, religious affiliation, sports teams, and much more. But, when it comes to hip hop, bling is all about status. Historically, flashy jewelry and expensive gemstones have always represented wealth from monarchs to celebrities. With such a culture surrounding hip hop jewelry, there are almost an infinite number of styles you can have to match your own personal style and let people know who's boss.
Gold chains were created tens of thousands of years ago when people began working with precious metals like gold, silver, and even platinum. Many historians cite ancient Egyptian societies when discussing the history of gold jewelry because these cultures viewed gemstones and metals as connections and ways to honor spirits.
Although jewelry has come to represent status in modern society, many of these humble origins still exist. The work of Jesus is a prime example of how hip-hop stars continue to wear jewelry to celebrate their faith.
Although this musical style really became the genre we know and love in the 1980s, it first appeared in the 1970s when an artist known as DJ Kool Herc experimented with mixing songs with his own voice. The idea came from a Jamaican tradition known as toasting, where a performer or group of people would sing or speak to music—most often drum beats.
As DJ Kool Herc began to notice positive reactions to his mixes, his dance parties in the Bronx grew larger and more popular. More and more people were interested in attending his events and trying out this new style of music for themselves.
While DJ Kool Herc occupies an important place in the history of hip hop's development, there are many other figures doing similar things in their own music, including Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Still hailing from the Bronx, these MCs used their own Caribbean heritage to develop DJ Kool Herc's creation, advancing the genre and opening an entirely new platform for musicians who would become major influences in the coming decade.
As hip hop grew and new elements were added, certain groups and artists used this uncharted territory to make a name for themselves and solidify the elements of this new genre. The 1980s became a time when a culture of hip hop icons was cultivated, and many of these artists are still idolized and seek inspiration today. Grandmaster Flash continued to develop hip hop, becoming one of the first rap groups to gain radio attention.
As more and more people entered the hip-hop sphere, the Sugarhill Gang recorded "Rapper's Delight," which is credited as one of the genre's first major hits, thus exposing more people to this genre of music. Throughout the decade, new rappers made a name for themselves, including Run DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, and A Tribe Called Quest—all hip-hop artists who are still recognized and appreciated today.
At the end of the decade, one of the most famous rap groups, NWA, emerged on the scene and radically changed the genre by incorporating messages against police brutality and racial profiling. NWA's music represented not only a new style of music, but also a way for minorities to denounce injustice through hip hop.
Although gold chains have been around since ancient times, it was this period of hip hop music that popularized the gold chains we think of today. Run DMC is credited with being the first group of rappers to wear large, flashy gold chains. As hip hop became increasingly popular and the general public wanted stars to make more of this genre of music, money began to flow in, allowing groups like Run DMC to get their swag on.
Dookie chains, which are a type of gold chain with thick chains attached to each other like a braid, were a staple of the group's look, along with a series of gold Adidas sneakers, thus perpetuating the importance of jewelry in hip hop.
At that time, hip-hop had taken the music world by storm, and there were tons of opportunities for new artists to create music that resonated with them and their fans. Enter one of the most recognizable names in hip-hop history: the Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls. Biggie fully embraced both the musical genre and the fashion trends that accompanied it, soon starting his own jewelry trend with the wildly popular Jesus piece.
While Biggie is one of the most famous rappers in history, he pays homage to all those who came before him in one of his biggest hits, "Juicy," demonstrating how much the genre needed these influential founders to reach the top of the charts. Not only is Biggie credited with introducing the rap world to Jesus' work, but he's also considered one of the first hip-hop stars to rap about "blunts and broads, tits and bra bra, ménage à trois, sex in expensive cars."
Fundamentally, his musical style brought out the flashy, fun lifestyle of these new rap stars, moving away from some of the more serious elements of previous artists. Of course, some of his music also deals with darker, deeper emotions, as heard on his track "Suicidal Thoughts," but overall, his image has come to encompass an extravagant lifestyle of partying and finer pleasures in life.
At that time, hip-hop was a music industry in its own right, with recognizable figures like Biggie, Tupac, Jay-Z, and original NWA member Dr. Dre. Sadly, two of these stars' lives would ultimately be cut short by gun violence, but the other two, Jay-Z and Dr. Dre, would go on to transform the industry and introduce new voices, trends, and ideas.
Many major players of the 90s, like Jay-Z and Dr. Dre, continued to grow with the genre and even stepped away from music-making to focus on producing it, cultivating a whole new group of hip hop stars. Nas is one of the early 2000s hip-hop stars credited with adding to the genre, along with other artists like the Wu-Tang Clan, Gang Starr, and even Flava Flav. While rap styles have changed, many fashion elements have not, with today's rappers still sporting new, flashier versions of Run DMC's dookie chains and Biggie's famous Jesus piece.
Hip-hop has become so mainstream and influential that there are dozens of different genres, from gangster rap to a hip-hop/R&B blend. While new artists like Drake and Migos are exploring what it means to be a rapper in the 21st century, all of our favorite stars today still utilize elements of the genre's founders. Some of the most popular artists continue the importance of hip-hop and fashion, like Kanye and Drake, who have branched out by creating their own clothing brands.
As the genre progressed, more and more female rappers entered the scene, such as Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, further changing the role of hip hop styles and trends.
The gold chain ultimately represents a hip hop artist's fame, wealth, and overall success. While some fashion and jewelry styles eschew large gemstones and flashy gold chains, hip hop fashion embraces these elements as a visual (and monetary) symbol of ultimate prosperity.
Over the decades, hip hop culture has grown so much that artists are no longer the only ones wearing these eye-catching pieces. Anyone who lives and breathes the hip hop lifestyle is looking for new, unique pieces to add to their collection of gold chains and rings .
Twisted chain
Similar to the style Run DMC first pioneered, the cable chain is a type of gold chain that braids together different segments in a rope-like fashion. While some people prefer to wear a chain with nothing on it, the rope chain is the perfect option for adding a pendant, as it is thick and durable while remaining shiny and eye-catching, thanks to the gold it is made of.
Cuban link chain
Gold chains come in a variety of styles with different link patterns, but the Cuban link is by far one of the most popular in the hip hop world. This chain is connected by thick circular or oval pieces of gold that intertwine to create a unique finished look. This type of chain is not typically worn with a pendant and can be purchased in several different thicknesses. For maximum shine, opt for a Cuban link chain with extra-thick links.
Coffee bean chain
This necklace has become extremely popular in the world of hip hop and is the number one fashion statement in France! A gold chain worn as a symbol of success, it comes in a simple version and a more luxurious version encrusted with sparkling VVS gemstones.
Figaro Channel
Another variation of the link chain, the Figaro chain combines links of different shapes in a single piece. An alternating pattern of smaller circular links, connected to flatter, more oval links, creates a unique look for a chain that can be worn with or without a pendant. For the ultimate stylish look, pair this statement necklace with a Figaro chain bracelet.
Herringbone chain
You need to have a certain kind of style to really pull off the herringbone chain because it differs so much from more traditional gold chain styles. The herringbone chain features many small links tightly packed together to create a seamless appearance. From a distance, this style looks like a large gold link, but the small, flexible links give it a unique texture and a flat style that falls directly against the skin.
Bling bling chains with diamond
While classic gold chains don't incorporate gemstones, hip hop bling chains are considered the most extravagant type of chains because they are covered in diamonds. If you're looking to take your gold chain game to the next level, iced-out chains are the way to go, demonstrating both your style and status in one piece.
Flex your mates with a collection of the dopest, high-quality gold-plated hip hop chains available at Emir ICE. Whether you're looking for a new piece of Jesus head jewelry to rival Biggie's or you're throwing it '80s with a big chain, Emir ICE has you covered. Made from real gold plating, our chains can be diamond-encrusted or plain, and we have a great selection of pendants, watches, rings, and bands, so you can change up your look every day of the week.
