Bling Bust: Rappers Cutting Back On Jewelry

wsj.com:

After years of starring in rap-music lyrics and videos, "bling" is losing its ring.

The recession is cramping the style of hip-hop artists and wannabes -- many of whom are finding it difficult to afford the diamond-encrusted pendants and heavy gold chains they have long used to project an aura of outsized wealth.

Read the full story at the Wall Street Journal, or view our slideshow below.

• • • • •

As you may have noticed, these days everyone’s cutting back. According to the Wall Street Journal, even some of the music industry's most famous rappers, like Rick Ross (pictured), are scaling back their jewelry, known as ‘bling.’ Here’s a look at the bling industry, and some of the cutbacks the stars are making:

Read the whole story: wsj.com

Comments

[InedaName]

The rap game might actually be an economic indicator. Remember that Jay-Z 'Blue Magic' video when he was flashing stacks of euros? That was almost two years ago. He knew something that a lot of so-called experts didn't know.

[Shammie2000]

Someone said that it make them feel ashamed to be part black watching these clowns (how silly)
these guy's are making a living (killing) of this stuff, but what about the public at large that spends
good money (dam in this economy) on this crap music they release.

[NotYourAvg]

Oh, here's another fact.....the overwhelming majority of rappers couldn't afford real diamonds even BEFORE the recession. They're just high quality australian crystals. That chain Rick Ross is wearing, if it were real, would cost more than he's earned in 3 years!

[NotYourAvg]

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! NO ONE under the age of 80 uses the work "bling" anymore!!!

[workingliberal]

Unless you're Michael "da man" Steele!

[Gymbra]

Selling her teeth didn't work out too well for Fantine.

[Cryostatic]

Well, perhaps they'll stop rapping about purely materialistic ideals, and start putting some substance into their music.

[wabewawa]

When I first saw the headline, I thought maybe it was because of a burgeoning consciousness regarding conflict diamonds. Well, if economic woes achieve the same results of fewer blood diamonds being bought, then that's better than nothing, I guess.

http://www.clarkyboy.com/bling.htm

[IQ]

You're Biting off the WSJ(Murdoch Prop.) now?? REALLY!!??

If I came across these collection of words, that are dressed
up all pretty and presented as a 'STORY' in the WSJ(FOXNews, NYPost et.al)
I would deem that it was a blatant attempt to inflame racial and cultural
stereotypes and to perpetuate the ignorance of those that already hate HiPHop
........I think I would be justified.

[SusanRen]

I'm sure most of that jewelry was expensive, but boy does it look cheap and gaudy.

[BustMyChops]

This is gonna kill the diamond studded crucifix industry. I think need to bailout bling bling rappers for the good of the economy.

[Dionsmusica]

I say screw them and their bling. If the recession at least brings an end to the uber-materialism that these guys are hawking, then at least there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

[Dionsmusica]

I say screw them and their bling. If this recession allows some of the uber-materialism these guys are hawking to die a quick death, then at least there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

[ThePeacemakers]

They haven't been to a pawn shop in Beverly Hills lately...

[24kgold]

Old photos......

[InedaName]

My man Biz Markie needs to hock his bling and invest in some dental work.