Welcome to the 35th insertion of DEMUR®, an analytical series highlighting the intricacies of the artistic world and the minutiae lying within. In this episode we drown in the icy, fresh to death staple of hip-hop jewelry; the Grill.
Although grillz have only recently emerged in street and hip-hop culture, grillz have been symbolic of affluence and wealth for over 800 years. First discovered in ancient Etruscan times, Italian ancestors were found to interweave gold casing between intentionally removed teeth. Most popular among women, the grill was a motif of a hierarchy and equilibrium between man and female, a cultural abnormality uncommon in most beliefs.
Now in the 1970’s, New York, gold casings subtly began appearing in the mouths of West Indian immigrants. Following an economic drought in Jamaica and the surrounding islands, gold teeth were used as an affordable alternative to traditional dental care. As West Indie natives began moving to North America, so did their gold teeth, marking the true establishment of indirect “grillz” in the Western region.
As time progressed and style began to flourish, New Yorkers took to the aesthetic and soon precious metals were oozing behind every lip in the city. The trend ran South, making waves through Atlanta and Houston while rappers like Raheem the Dream, Kilo Ali and Slick Rick catapulted the trend to higher heights. Every rapper wanted to shine, and jewelers like Eddie Plien and Johnny Dang began molding thousands of fangs.
Despite the apparent success of the grill, it wasn’t until November 2005 that the plated jewelry truly took the world by storm. Releasing chart topping hit “Grillz”, American rapper Nelly transcended the niche of oral bling into a mainstream phenomenon. No longer was the accessory limited to a full gold pour as baguettes, rubys, diamonds and emeralds coated the pearly whites of celebrities alike.
In today’s world, the grill has become synonymous with not only hip-hop, but art itself. From Katy Parry’s $1m floral piece, to Pharrell’s $100k Infinity Stone grill, it’s safe to say the embezzled motif won’t be disappearing anytime soon.
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