Rapper chains are more than “bling” – in the world of hip-hop, they’re straight-up status symbols. They got their start around the same time that hip-hop itself did, with the early records of DJ Kool Herc. On the cover of his first gold record, he wore several large gold chains that became as inseparable from the hip-hop genre as he was.
Over the next few decades as hip-hop hit the mainstream, rope chains, watches, rings, and more became symbols of cultural status among hip-hop artists. While at first they might have symbolized the rapper hitting career milestones and being able to afford their signature bling, the status symbol has evolved into its own form of competition. Today, rappers compete for dominance in the world of expensive jewelry as though it proves their status against their rivals.
Continue reading to learn about the 8 most expensive rapper chains (and the rappers that wear them).
- Hot Girl Necklace
- Solar System Chain
- Crunk Ain’t Dead Chain
- Twin Panther Chain
- 64 Crayons Chain
- Ice Age Chain
- N.E.R.D. Chain
- The Face Pendant
Rapper: Megan Thee Stallion
Material: 14-karat gold/diamonds
photo source: Instagram
This list, much like the hip-hop industry itself, is going to be dominated by men. However, we’re opening this list with the most expensive rapper chain worn by a female rapper, which is the “Hot Girl Necklace,” worn by Megan Thee Stallion.
The custom chain cost the rapper $425,000 and features 155 carats of diamonds and over two pounds of 14-karat gold.
Did you know?
The necklace was debuted on Megan Thee Stalion’s Instagram page after she was shot in both of her feet. She posed in lingerie, sporting white hair, a diamond Audemars Piguet watch, choker, and this Elliot Eliantte pendant necklace covered in baguette-cut diamonds, spelling the words “Hot Girl” in the ice.
Rapper: Takeoff
Material: Diamond
photo source: Hypebeast
Winning the award for the most elaborately designed chain on this list, the Solar System Chain worn by Takeoff is what you might expect from the name. The huge chain has orbs hanging from it that symbolize planets, with a huge diamond-encrusted medallion hanging from a diamond sun.
The chain in total weighs about 2.2 pounds and contains 200 carats of diamonds. Takeoff paid $500,000 for the Solar System Chain.
Did you know?
The rapper known as Takeoff was born Krishnik Khari Ball in 1994. Since forming the hip-hop trio, Migos, with Offset and Quavo, he’s become known for colored sunglasses, crazy beats, and this icy spaced-out solar system chain.
Rapper: Lil Jon
Material: Yellow and white gold/white diamonds
photo source: Pinterest
The Crunk Ain’t Dead Chain was once acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive rapper chain. The 7.5-inch chain commissioned by rapper Lil Jon weighs over 5.1 pounds! The chain contains over 3,700 white diamonds (round-cut), totaling 73 carats.
The necklace itself wis made from 18-karat yellow and white gold. The piece cost the rapper $500,000.
Did you know?
Crunk is a fusion music genre that incorporates rap and EDM into a new hybrid, recognized by repeated catchphrases shouted over the music and a prominent bass line. The album by Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz called Kings of Crunk went double platinum back in 2002.
Rapper: Gucci Mane
Material: Diamond
photo source: TMZ
Winning the prize for the most non-traditional rapper chain design on this list is the Twin Panther Chain worn by Gucci Mane. The uniqueness comes from the fact that this chain isn’t really a “chain” and doesn’t have a medallion. Instead, it’s a sculpture of panther heads circling Mane’s neck, connected by a train of white diamonds.
In total, this chain, worth $500,000, has 165 carats of stones in it. Those stunning panthers alone have 1,800 diamonds embedded in them, not to mention the necklace itself.
Did you know?
“Trap music” is a hip-hop subgenre that uses long-decay drum machines and synthesized drum patterns, with lyrics that focus on violence and drug use (“trap” comes from the Georgia slang term for a drug house). Mane is known not only as a traditional rapper but as the founding father of trap music.
Rapper: Sean Kingston
Material: White gold/colored diamonds
photo source: Shesoghetto
Jamaica-resident Sean Kingston is well-known as a boy wonder, troublemaker, and world-class rapper. From his criminal troubles at an early age to his charity work today, Kingston has run the gambit of celebrity personality types. With this chain, he may have invented a new one all his own.
The 64 Crayons Chain is shaped like an oversized box of Crayola crayons. It’s crafted from white gold and a slew of colored diamonds to represent the crayons. On the back it says, “Go crayons.” The childlike design of the chain serves as a reminder that Kingston’s fame, fortune, and even his troubles began at an early age. This $500,000 chain is not only one of the most expensive rapper chains ever made but could also be considered the world’s most expensive box of crayons.
Did you know?
The 31-year-old Jamaican American rapper was actually born Kisean Paul Anderson and only took the stage name “Sean Kingston” later. His unique reggae-fusion style is legendary at this point, exemplified by his biggest songs, such as “Fire Burning,” “Beautiful Girls,” and “Eenie Meenie.”
Rapper: Mike Jones
Material: White gold/diamonds
photo source: Iced Up London
Mike Jones’ Ice Age Chain is as famous for being outrageously valuable as for being stolen. The chain made from white gold ends in a huge medallion that says “Ice Age” beneath a frosty crown, completely plastered in diamonds. In total, the medallion has 100 carats embedded in it.
In 2009, the rapper discovered that the $1 million chain had been stolen out of his house by a visiting friend. Thankfully, when you have a piece of bling that expensive, it only makes sense to insure it. Jones was able to claim the chain and get his money back.
Did you know?
The chain is a reference to Mike Jones’ record label, Ice Age Entertainment, which he started in 2001. The label’s first major album was Who is Mike Jones? released in 2005, which went platinum in just two months.
Rapper: Pharrell Williams
Material: Gold/white diamonds
photo source: Pinterest
Pharrell Williams donned the gold chain known as the N.E.R.D. chain back in 2006, named after the band he helped form in 1999. It was quickly recognized as one of the most expensive ever made, crafted from gold and patterned with white diamonds and other precious colored gemstones.
The medallion on the chain features pint-sized versions of Pharrell and his band. The chain itself is made from oversized multicolored loops, encrusted with more precious stones. The chain is reportedly worth a cool million dollars.
Did you know?
N.E.R.D. disbanded in 2005 after six years of certified gold records, including In Search Of… and Fly or Die. The other two members of the group featured on the N.E.R.D. tribute chain are Chad Hugo, the pianist and songwriter, and rapper Shay Haley, also known as “Shay” or “Shade.”
Rapper: Rick Ross
Material: Gold/diamonds
photo source: Reddit
The most expensive rapper chain is the Face Pendant worn by Rick Ross. The rapper’s signature style, complete with sunglasses, was crafted into a gold chain of his face. This sparkling replica of the famous rapper is worth $1.5 million, making it the most expensive rapper chain in the world.
The Miami-raised rapper is famous for tossing money from the balconies of clubs. After hitting the big time, Ross was frequently seen wearing expensive jewelry, including diamond watches and gold bracelets. To capitalize on his penchant for luxury, he owns several extremely expensive chains, but this one tops them all.
Did you know?
Aside from his music and his taste in jewelry, Rick Ross is well-known for his tattoos, of which he has 500, and his love of champagne, which is why his friends sometimes call him “Ricky Rozay” (Belaire is reportedly his favorite). But did you know that he loves video games? Ross has an enormous collection of vintage video games from the Colecovision (a 1982 cartridge-based console similar to the Atari) to the XBOX. He can often be seen playing them to destress between sessions.
The Takeaway
Rapper chains aren’t just bling to spice up the outfits of the world’s most famous hip-hop artists. They’re also status symbols and a source of genuine competition among artists, who compete for the largest, most stylish, most unique, and most expensive rapper chains to turn into their signature icons.
From the Megan Thee Stallion revenge necklace to Rick Ross’s oversized, diamond-studded portrait of his own face, these rapper chains represent the most money ever spent on bling, by the artists who invented and still reinvent the music genre that wears it.
