Ryan Lochte's grill designed by rapper Paul Wall
Ryan Lochte has received plenty of attention at the London Olympics for his style as much as his swimming. Lochte wore a diamond grill in his mouth after he won the 400-meter individual medley on Saturday, and he later sparked a controversy when it was reported he was barred from wearing the jewelry over his teeth.
Now we're learning that the fashion-conscious Lochte actually had the grill designed by rapper Paul Wall, a.k.a. The Peoples Champ.
“The grill he’s wearing is all hand-prong set, all VS diamonds and custom red rubies,” Wall told XXL Mag. “What he has in his mouth is all hand-crafted. Every diamond is set by hand — one by one, prong set and all custom red rubies. Of course, we gave him an Olympic discount.”
Wall said that custom grills typically go for anywhere from $15,000-$25,000. He's pleased that the swimmer is making the grill hip again.
“For him to represent us and our culture, the grill culture, it’s just shining a light on hip-hop in the Olympics,” said the People’s Champ, who’s working on a new mixtape with DJ Whoo Kid. “Everyone’s talking about it. . . . It’s just an incredible thing to be part of. I’m just honored to be part of it. There’s not too many world-class swimmers wearing our grill.”
Lochte might not have enough sway to make winged-shoes popular, but there's no doubt he's using his time in the limelight to bring back diamond grills.
H/T TMZ
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Photo credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
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Ryan Lochte - Wannabe Gangsta.
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Looks stupid. What a waste of money.
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I C U Lochte!
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Cheesy, very cheesy. Makes you think first that he's an idiot, only then that he's a great swimmer.
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He looks ridiculous.
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I thought he was wearing braces.
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The coach from Tunisia should have slapped Ryan silly for his insulting bling... it was a slap in the face of all there representing their very poor countries.........
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Ryan Locthe- The Peoples Champ
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Ya, kinda silly. Flava called and wants his image back... USA is thinkin.... what a tool. Enjoy being second...
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Wow, a complete sellout in only 7 days. Not Wheaties, Not Coke, Not Google....but Paul Wall. True genius.
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Stop all the hate this guy is showing his American side, not caring what other people think about him, but doing his own thing. Shots out to Ryan Locthe for being an American!!!!
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Don't paint all Americans with the same brush. Some of us do care about what others think of us and don't want to represent the US as a wannabe gangsta.
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I thought only black people wore stuff like that.. I agree.. wannabe (but will never be) a gangsta-.To Ryan: Don't be a follower all your life.. It appeared you were trying to be a leader. Not to sure now......
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What if he's being himself. If its different then its "a wanna be" Do you! and let him Do him!!
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Ryan is HOT and charming. I guess thats why its so many guys commenting negatively. STOP HATING!!
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Hey, it's his money, he didn't steal it or hurt anyone to get it . He's in to fashion and he's a young guy ... I can think of a lot worse things he could of done. I wish him well and thank him for doing such a great job representing the U S of America. Go Lochte !!!
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I'm all about do whatever makes you happy barring it doesn't hurt someone else. However, I simply don't get the "grill culture". It might be more that Lochte has the look of your typical good looking suburban guy. Yeah, that's not fair, but it just seems like he's posing.
