The 50 Greatest Chains In Hip-Hop
By Complex Magazine | Dec 5, 2011 | 10:41 am | Permalink
Rappers love to show off their wealth, and there's no better way to do so than with diamond-studded plates hung on platinum and gold chains. Fuck around and get a nice car, but it'll be outdated in a year. Invest in a chain and you'll floss your stacks for waaaayyyy longer. Our obsession with ice is at an all-time high—it's December, it's the holiday season during a recession, and we're aspiring for flawless stones in the new year. Thus, we asked the dopest jeweler right now, Ben Baller, to rank the best chains in hip-hop. He knows everything there is to know about fine jewelry. Just check IF & Co. for the proof, and read his words right here:
Let me start off by saying that ranking the 50 greatest chains was hard just because there are so many fake chains in hip-hop. Another thing is that just having a cross or Jesus piece will never make the list. These chains are ranked for creativity and not necessarily the amount of money they may cost. Also, a disclaimer: this is my list. But I'm being honest and fair, from being around jewelry for over 30 years, and making and being close to custom jewelry for over 10. This is my livelihood, my profession, and I'm recognized for making some of the best custom jewelry in history.
It took me a few months to come up with this list. I could have put every single chain that I made on here, but every number has a true position and I didn't play favorites. Some may say I forgot a chain or two, but I doubt it. This is my professional opinion from being involved heavily in hip-hop and jewelry, and professionally respected in both. Most of the shit you may think should have made the list is either fake or in bad taste.
It's also not easy to speak good about jewelers whose work I don't fuck with, but I made this about the chains. I put my personal opinions about some jewelers to the side and let this rock. Not all jewelers are consistent with their work, but if one of their chains made this list, then it was their best work. I salute to all you out there grinding it out in the jewelry game in this recession, still making artists shine. I will keep doing my thing, you should keep doing yours. And a note to the new rappers out there getting their first shines: do your research—the game is different now. Style and quality > size and carats.
I'm willing to answer questions or reply to comments when I can, so speak your mind below. Here we go...
Written by Ben Baller (@BENBALLER).
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bandit December 5th, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Yo ben would you fuck with just a solid gold custom chain or do you have too ice it up, everyone seems too have the same swag these days i was thinking of something different.
Tonytones December 5th, 2011 at 11:25 AM
good read for da morning hyung. you killed it! showing support!
Ben Baller December 5th, 2011 at 01:40 PM
thanks Tone, all G.... if you had an all gold or mostly gold chain, it had to be ill like Jeezy's or Nipsey's joint.... there are some chains that coulda made the top 60, but not the top 50. i.e. No Limit Tank chain but don't bring up no bullshit please
justadude December 5th, 2011 at 04:40 PM
What's your take on that gold falcon on Ghost's arm? Not a chain, but definitely eye-catching.
Please Proofread. December 5th, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Who proofread? Lil john slide marked at #4 top chain all-time but paragraph reads "5th position." I thought consistency was key at complex?
Ben Baller December 5th, 2011 at 01:42 PM
where do you see #5? there are 3 cats in 3rd place, so maybe that threw things off, but I don't see it
Please Proofread December 5th, 2011 at 01:54 PM
quote: "But bottom line, this is about hip-hop, and “Crunk” is a big part of hip hop, so this chain is properly placed in 5th position. " All good tho. Nice list nonetheless. Salute on expanding horizons yet again mister Ebay Guiness Book of World Records Winner/ DJ/ West Coast General/ NT x Sneaker Connoisseur OG/ Go-To Jeweler/ and Blogger. You're the man Ben!
Mike F. December 5th, 2011 at 12:08 PM
What happened to the Rick Ross "Face Chain"? Didn't even make the list!
TVJohnnysHair December 5th, 2011 at 12:23 PM
What about T-Pain's "Big Ass Chain" by Icebox? Straight Ignorance.
keezy December 5th, 2011 at 01:43 PM
hey ben i was wondering if you or IF' would happen to have a LRG icon watch in the tripple black.(willing to buy) I have searched everywhere and no luck. knowing you had close ties with jonas you might have one or know where to get one.
Ze December 5th, 2011 at 01:46 PM
No Dip Set plate? very confused
alex December 5th, 2011 at 01:49 PM
what about souljaboy chains?
Mac December 5th, 2011 at 01:50 PM
When you say "i made this" do you physically make the jewellery yourself? .....and mad props on the list and your conveyor of dope jewellery, Ben.
Please Proofread. December 5th, 2011 at 01:56 PM
You obviously did not read the openeing paragraph before the jump.
Mac December 5th, 2011 at 02:24 PM
You're right, I didn't.
Ben Baller December 5th, 2011 at 01:57 PM
when I say I made this, I use it in the same terms as jacob the jeweler would say it. physically yes I was apart of 50% or more of the process & design, but I do not make the jewelry via goldsmith, diamond setting. I don't have to. I know how to. a director doesn't always handle the camera, that's the DP's job. but I'm sure you get what I'm saying and thank you
dex December 5th, 2011 at 01:57 PM
great list! but, no Mayweather chains?
Ben Baller December 5th, 2011 at 02:12 PM
even though Mayweather is my BOY and client and he does own a record label, he's not considered a rapper or in the rap game. He is the champion of the world in boxing though and his jewelry is in the top of ANY SPORT OR GAME PERIOD. if he was allowed on this list, he would have been #1 easy