Before grillz became a global symbol of hip-hop swagger, luxury, and self-expression, there was Eddie Plein.
Born in Suriname and later based in Brooklyn, New York, Plein is widely recognized as one of the original pioneers of custom removable gold grillz. Through his business, “Eddie’s Gold Teeth,” he helped transform dental jewelry from a neighborhood curiosity into one of the most enduring visual symbols in hip-hop culture. Long before the trend was commercialized or mass-produced, Plein was handcrafting custom pieces that reflected the individuality, ambition, and style of a generation redefining music and fashion.
In the 1980s and 1990s, his creations were worn by some of rap’s most influential names, including Flavor Flav, Big Daddy Kane, members of Gravediggaz, OutKast, Ludacris, Goldie and many other rappers. His work became part of the image-making machinery of hip-hop—those flashes of gold in magazine shoots, music videos, television appearances, and live performances helping define an era.
As hip-hop expanded regionally and globally, Plein’s influence could be seen in the next wave of artists who embraced grill culture. Nelly’s crossover hit “Grillz” introduced the style to pop audiences worldwide, while Paul Wall became one of the most visible ambassadors of the movement in the 2000s. Houston jeweler Johnny Dang and Paul Wall helped modernize and scale the market, but the path had already been carved by innovators like Plein decades earlier. Today, artists such as Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, and others continue to reinterpret the grill as both jewelry and high-fashion statement.
This feature would explore how Plein’s story mirrors the story of hip-hop itself: immigration, hustle, entrepreneurship, reinvention, and cultural authorship. While artists wore the spotlight, craftsmen like Plein were shaping the look behind the scenes—creating symbols of success and identity that became inseparable from the music.
The timing is especially strong. Plein’s new book, Mouthful of Gold, offers a firsthand account of his journey, documenting the rise of grill culture through personal stories, celebrity connections, and never-before-heard history from one of its earliest architects. It is both memoir and cultural record, preserving a legacy often overlooked in mainstream conversations about hip-hop fashion.
Alongside the book, a new documentary premiering at Tribeca Festival shines a fresh light on Plein’s life, work, and influence. The film presents an overdue recognition of the man whose craftsmanship helped shape the face of hip-hop literally and examines how a small custom business in Brooklyn sparked a style movement that would travel across generations and continents.
At its core, this is a story about giving credit where it belongs: to the immigrant artisan whose gold work became part of hip-hop history, and whose influence still gleams in every smile that followed.
Eddie Pleins documentary will screen on June 12, 13 and 14. For tickets and more info visit https://tribecafilm.com/films/mouth-full-of-golds-2026
