When we look into hip-hop artists’ fashion, we notice that most of the rappers put a great accent on the jewelry. Jewelry in hip-hop fashion wasn’t static, it was evolving in the same way hip hop culture did. But, we have to start from the beginning. We should start from Retro Hip-hop Jewelry

Pioneers in Retro Hip-hop: Kurtis Blow

When we are thinking about the first popular rappers at the time, we must look at the statistics. Kurtis Blow was the first rapper to show off his necklace on his album cover, and the single The Breaks from that album coincidentally was the first ever certified gold rap song. So, jewelry could show up its power in popularity of the rapper after the first appearance. Kurtis Blow was a pioneer rapper in more than just one way. But, his music didn’t sound like rap to a modern listener. It was just the humble beginnings of a thing that we are gonna call rap. Like most rap songs at that time, it was a dancing song. You can listen to it from here.  

RUN-D.M.C.

But when we are talking about old-school rappers, and especially successful old-school rappers and Retro Hip-hop jewelry, we must talk about RUN-D.M.C. When we are talking them we should remind that they were the first rappers to record certified gold album. You can listen to that album if you click here.

But we cannot talk about RUN-D.M.C. without talking how they look. Because, their style became Iconic. Hats, Adidas sneakers, glasses, sports gear, and of course, giant gold chain. These young rappers from Queens become a commercial giant, compared to other rappers of the 80s. They were listened to not just by african american community, but even by the white community. They have became household names in all of USA. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, editor of AllMusic, has written: “More than any other hip hop group, Run-D.M.C. are responsible for the sound and style of the hip-hop music.”. Even, Eminem when he inducted RUN-D.M.C. to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, said “There’s three of them, and if you grew up on hip-hop like I did, they are The Beatles”

Jewelry were the big part of Hip-Hop style right from the start, and their shine helped rappers express themselves in a more stylized way. If you wish to learn about modern hip-hop jewelry, click here, or read the second part, click here