Delaware grillz biz spreads by word of mouth
Ever since Run DMC threw on a pair of Adidas and rapped about it, a whole new world of revenue opened up to hip-hop artists.
Whether it’s the hottest new sneakers, clothes or jewelry, hip-hop is always been about being fly and flashy. And one of the most popular fashion trends in the last 30 years has been gold grills, or grillz. If you're not familiar with what that is, grillz, also known as fronts or golds, are removable jewelry made of precious metal and worn over the teeth.
Interest in the trend skyrocketed shortly after Nelly dropped his song “Grillz” in 2005. Others credit legend Slick Rick for setting the trend in motion in the ‘80s.
Regardless of who started the resurgence, the trend isn't going anywhere. Rappers to this day wear grillz that cost in the hundreds of thousands, many times set with diamonds and the highest quality metals.
In the past, If you wanted a gold grill you had to find it in the major metropolitan cities or down south. But now one Delawarean is meeting the demand.
Entrepreneur Ron Lamont Jackson, 42, is the founder of Delaware Custom Grillz, a company he founded in June 2017. Since that time Ron has done an estimated 120 custom grillz for people all over the region.
We chopped it up about why he started making custom grillz, how hip-hop culture influenced his love for the look and how he plans to expand the business in the near future.
Q: So where are you originally from and what brought you to Delaware?
A: I am originally from Reading, Pennsylvania, and I moved from here to Delaware in 2012 to take a job working at the Port of Wilmington. I was getting tired of Reading so I had to make a change in my environment, so this was the perfect opportunity.
Q: What lead to you starting your own custom grillz business?
A: Well, when I was 23 or 24 years old, I started wearing grillz. I had three or four sets, but once I got older, I kind of grew out of it. What got me back into grillz was something I saw on TV. Jada Pinkett-Smith was talking about how her son bought her a grill for her birthday. So I went to my jeweler to get one made and told him I wanted to do this in Delaware. We both agreed it would do well since Delaware doesn't have any custom grill companies -- the closest one is in Philly. So he eventually showed me what I needed to do and the rest was history.
Q: When did you first develop a love for gold grillz?
A: I first started wearing grillz in the early ‘90s, and I was a hip-hop head so I was aware of the trend. At the time I was a huge fan of Wu-Tang Clan. Some of them rocked gold teeth as well so it’s always been a part of my style.
Q: What has the support been like since you started?
A: It's really been amazing. The grillz sell themselves because once somebody gets theirs done, somebody usually sees it and ask where they got them done. Delaware doesn’t have another custom grillz business that isn't an hour away or ordered online, and usually you have to wait for the mold to come first and ship it back. I literally am a mobile service and will pull up anywhere! (Laughs)
Q: How do you see the business expanding in the future?
A: As of right now, I am currently ironing out the details to secure a space at Cowtown in New Jersey. I probably going to start there and then eventually I would like to have a kiosk in Christiana Mall. But for now, I just want to build my clientele.
Q: When did you first develop a love for gold grillz?
A: I first started wearing Grillz in the early 90s and I was a Hip-Hop head so I was aware of the trend. At the time I was a huge fan of Wu-Tang Clan. Some of them rocked gold teeth as well so it’s always been a part of my style.
Q: What has the support been like since you started?
A: It's really been amazing. The grillz sell themselves because once somebody gets theirs done, somebody usually sees it and ask where they got them done. Delaware doesn’t any local custom grillz business that isn't an hour away or ordered online and usually, you have to wait for the mold to come first and ship it back. I literally am a mobile service and will pull up anywhere!! (Laughs)
Q: How do you see the business expanding in the future?
A: As of right now, I am currently ironing out the details to secure a space at Cowtown in New Jersey. I probably going to start there and then eventually I would like to have a kiosk in Christiana Mall. But for now, I just want to build my clientele.
FUN IN DELAWARE
What else does Wilmington need to be more fun? We have (more) suggestions.
Firefly Music Festival releases daily band schedule
How to unlock Wawa’s secret menu and get birthday cake shakes