I need to find out as much information on the Bling phenomenon. Bling
is a term (Hip-hop slang) for really really expensive (usually really
big) jewelry. I think the phenomenon started when certain rappers
became rich and famous and want to show off their excessively
expensive lifestyle.

I have searched around the internet and found very little on bling
besides sites that sell it. I basically could use any information
about bling besides the pricing and availability of ordinary bling
jewelry and stuff you could find on ebay.

And any quality images would be a huge plus...

Thanks.

Hello kid_alexd,

"Bling bling" existed before the term became popular.  While the
following article is from a humor publication, I think it really makes
a good point: "Mr. T introduced bling bling to America nearly two
decades before the gangsta rap community claims to have established
the trend."  (As a bonus, the article has a classic picture of Mr. T,
decked out in gold chains and other jewelry.  There are plenty more
pictures where that came from, if you want me to look for more.)

"Mr. T inducted into Bling Bling Hall of Fame" (November 2002)
Recoil
http://www.recoilmag.com/news/mr_t_inducted_1102.html

While the phrase "bling bling" might have started with Jamaican reggae
artists (The Silvertones recorded a "Bling Bling Christmas"), and may
have been used by KRS-One in 1993 (though I haven't confirmed this),
B.G. made it popular on the track "Bling Bling".

"bling" [mentioning "Bling Bling Christmas" halfway down the page]
Urban Dictionary
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bling

"Re: Underrated and Overrated Albums", posted by Adrunk on <alt.rap>
(2002-03-01) [claiming that KRS-One used "bling bling" in 1993]
Google Groups
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=a5o93h%24dkh%241%40news7.svr.pol.co.uk

"B.G. - Biography"
hip online
http://www.hiponline.com/artist/music/b/bg/

[I don't think I can post a link to B.G.'s track "Bling Bling" -- too
many explicit lyrics for Google Answers.]

It's appropriate that B.G. is part of the "Cash Money Millionaires"
from Cash Money Records, since "bling bling" seems to be mainly about
the accumulation and conspicuous display of material goods.

While the following page, like the humor article, is not
authoritative, it too makes a good observation:

"The term 'bling-bling' as it is used refers to the prominent display
of ones personal wealth through 'ice' (diamonds and/or platinum) [and]
22s (automotive wheels with a diameter of 22 inches)....  To be a star
of any significance in this genre, one must 'bling-bling' it as much
as possible through the purchase and prominent exhibition of said
'bling-bling.'"

"And now, the thrilling conclusion..."
holyheffer's Home Page
http://www.geocities.com/holyheffer2/materialism2.html

Of course, B.G. has a different point of view.  He explained that when
he put the song together:

"'I was just thinking how I like to get my shine on when I go out. You
know, I've been through a lot.  Life is hard growing up in the
projects and seeing all kind of things kids shouldn't see.  So now
that I got myself out of that situation and doing well, I'm going
'bling-bling' because I deserve to.  I'm young and black and making my
money the right way.  When people try to hate on us for talking about
material things, it's bulls—t.  We all like nice s—t—black or white. 
We're just putting our wish list to a beat."

"Subject: Battle for the Soul of Hip-Hop" (5 Oct 2000) [reprinting
"Battle for the Soul of Hip-Hop", by Allison Samuels, N'Gai Croal, and
David Gates, Newsweek]
Intro to African-American Studies - Zaheer 
Columbia University
https://www1.columbia.edu/sec/bboard/003/afas1001-001/zaheer/msg00002.html

In general, you might want to read that article for more about the
meaning of "bling bling".

Finally, here are a few pictures showing the diversity of the "bling
bling" phenomenon.  There the straightforward "bling bling" of Lil
Wayne, a stylized poster of "bling bling", and a parody of "bling
bling" by Ali G.

"Lil Wayne Interview (August 2001)"
Down-South.com
http://www.down-south.com/interviews/LilWayne/index.shtml

"Bling! Bling!" (poster for "le swimming")
Montrealgroove
http://www.montrealgroove.com/flyer_semaine/thursday/thursday_swimming.jpg

"Ali G Bling Bling poster"
Global Merchandise
http://www.spiral-scandinavia.com/catalog/posters/FP-0433.html

I hope that this information is useful.

- justaskscott-ga


I used the following search terms, individually or in phrases or
combinations, on Google's Web Search, Groups, and/or Images:

bling
"bling bling"
slang
term
phrase
expression
origin
etymology
"hip hop"
rap
"bling bling christmas"
"hot boys"
b.g.