ATLANTA — The hip-hop world is a less bling-bling place these days.
The music genre has been defined as much by diamond-encrusted watches and platinum chains as its gritty urban lyrics. But in the last couple of years, it has scaled down its flash, a trend insiders say has become more pronounced during the recent recession.
Make no mistake: The industry that made an urban household name out of New York's Jacob "Jacob the Jeweler" Arabov me isn't entirely reversing course. (Case in point _ Lil Wayne's "A Milli," one of last year's biggest songs, which had the rapper bragging wildly about being a "young millionaire.")
But "the day of conspicuous consumption is gone," says Tamara Connor, an Atlanta-based stylist who has created looks for chart-topping rappers, including Lil Wayne.
"We're still going to see some bling, but it's just not going to be as much," Connor says. "Instead of four diamond necklaces, it might just be a diamond bracelet _ and it's a piece the celebrity wears all the time. They're not changing their jewelry out everyday."
Photo shoots, for example, are being done with fewer of the specialized medallions considered a calling card for the likes of Rick Ross, whose chain with a likeness of his head _ complete with black diamond beard _ has an estimated value of $30,000.
Wale, in what I can only guess to be a shot at commercial success has teamed with the freaky girl from the future on a bouncy record that I can vibe to a little bit.
My man E put out a decent theory, that I may in fact be fact. The theory is as follows...this rock album is (reluctantly) being done to satisfy Wayne's demands....which they'll put together, and put out there, but swiftly move on to the Young Money album with much of promotion being placed behind that...He could be wrong though, and this disc could be the biggest thing since sliced bread. Time will play ref.
Sorry for the hiatus folks, I'm back and doing a 1000 miles and running! The first post is a friendly reminder that "I'm The Ish" A Dj Class record on Unruly Records...heard this record about 2 months ago and was automatically a fan! It's my theme song for the season...and it should be yours too! More B-More club for summer 2009? Why not!
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