"I want a girl with extensions in her hair BAMBOO EARRINGS at least 2 pair" is a verse from a LL Cool J 1990 song "Around the way girl" which spoke about his love for the girls with the big earrings. Keep It Oldskool is going to speak about the original BLING BLING era.
People watch the music stars of today and the rings and jewelry that they wear and marvel at some of the rings and chains that are being worn. In the 80s it was no different whether you were a rap star or a bus driver or even in high school it was about having that "stuff on" Lets first talk about the men. Nothing made a man feel more cooler than having a ring on every finger or having a 3 or 4 finger ring with your name on it. The chains well let’s just say the bigger the better. In Philadelphia we went down to Chestnut St and went into a "heybuddy" a "heybuddy" is a store that sold gold. When they spotted you look at something they would say "hey buddy how much u looking to spend" There was the "fat rope chain", The "Gucci link" the Herringbone aka "Hambone chain" to choose from. For a while it was all about SIZE MATTERS so the bigger the chain the more respect and notices you received. At some point it changed and a person could have a small rope chain but all he needed to say was "It solid and heavy" and instantly there were be "ohhhs and ahhhs"
Now for the ladies it was on. There was some much to choose from in the form of rings, earrings, chains etc There were the sisters who wore the big "Stop Sign" earrings or the "Door Knockers", Then the "Onyx earrings" now they were called onyx but they were not in fact onyx. Real onyx would have torn most of the young ladies who was wearing them ear lobes off. They even took it further there was red and green onyx. Some girls went just as hard as the guys with the big chains and rings on every finger. In the 80s you would see women with earrings that went from the bottom of their ears to their shoulders
I remember dating a guy and he let me "wear his chains". You couldnt tell me nothing. I had about 4 chains on my neck. My mother thought it was ridiculous and my father wanted no parts of me wearing this boy's jewelry. While it lasted I earned major cool points from my girlfriends. They said wow..he let wear all of his chains..good ole days.
ReplyDeleteTERRI B