Bling, is a slang term which is now so ingrained in society it might as well be in the dictionary, it rose to fame with the hip hop culture in the 80s used to describe flashy, ostentatious, or elaborate jewellery and ornamented accessories that are carried, worn, or installed. The term was first used in rap by Dana Dane in "Nightmares" on Dana Dane with Fame in 1987 referring to the sound effect of tinkling bells that was used on cartoon shows to demonstrate the shininess and desirability of gold coins, money, jewellery or gems when they were displayed on-screen. It was later popularised by Cash Money Millionaires in the song "Bling Bling" in 1999.

Bling hit the mainstream in 1999 with "Bling Bling" by B.G (The unedited dirty album version features verses from, in order, Birdman, Turk, Mannie Fresh, Juvenile, and B.G.. Lil Wayne does the chorus and outro, but does not have a verse) 

Lil' Wayne rapped "Everytime I come around your city bling bling; Pinky ring worth about 50 bling bling; Everytime I buy a new ride bling bling; Lorenzos on Yokahama tires bling bling." 

The term has also spread to Spanish: rappers use the term in Latin hip-hop and reggaeton from Puerto Rico and Panama, although it is usually written and pronounced "blin-blin".The Spanish word blinblineo is also used to refer to bling-bling style.

So now you know the history of Bling. What’s your favourite piece of bling?