The peak of hip hop and grills probably peaked back in the mid-2000s, but the mouth jewelry is still very popular among rappers and has been a status symbol for thousands of years. National Geographic created a short documentary on the history of grills, and it’s quite educational.
Multiple figures from the hip hop community make appearances, including Paul Wall, Chief Keef and the Grill Master Johnny Dang. The video starts off with a deep archeological discovery of the first grill (it was Mayan), and then traces a quick history of their lineage since then. It ends with an unexpected PSA about brushing your teeth. Good grill hygiene is very important.
The main focus of the mini-doc is firmly on hip hop. Check it out below and let us know what you think about National Geographic’s first foray into hip hop history.