Thug Life Army

Hip hop’s ‘Bling’ is here to stay. Originally representative of all things hip-hop, now used in Cadillac commercials and on the O.C., it has invaded our vernacular and is here to stay. And we love it. In Bling: The Hip-Hop Jewelry Book, Reggie Ossé and Gabriel Tolliver, two gentlemen in the thick of pop culture, have created a gorgeously illustrated paean to all things shiny and stylin.’

The book begins with a brief history of the term, gives props to its progenitors,—Jamaican slang and Liberace—introduces readers to the godfather designers of flashy jewelry, and tells the tale of bling through the decades. Truck jewels, ice, grills, pimp cups, Jesus medallions, and rings are all given their due alongside hip hop and rap artists such as Jam Master Jay, Slick Rick, Lil’ Kim, Tupac, Fifty Cent, Paul Wall, Kanye West and Fat Joe.

Profiles of hot jewelry designers like Tito and Manny, Avianne & Co., and Arsham A. Salam are loaded with photos of their sweet watches, earrings, and necklaces, so that you can drop the right names at parties while you show off your style.

More than just a picture book, Bling is an exploration of the influence of hip-hop on American culture. Cheeky, irreverent, and smart, it is the perfect book to dress up a coffee table or inspire a visit to the neighborhood jewelry store. All that glitters may not be gold but it’s bound to be blingin’.

For more information go to www.blingbook.com or find Bling on myspace: www.myspace.com/blingjewelrybook .

About the authors:

Reggie Ossé began his career in the entertainment law arena as an attorney in the Business and Legal Affairs department at Def Jam Records.

Gabriel Tolliver is a self-described “creative mothership” who creates content across film/TV/new media and publishing platforms as a writer/producer/director.

Bling: The Hip-Hop Jewelry Book has a publication date: November 6, 2006. Look for it in stores.