Published · Updated · Grillz Medellín
From Houston and Atlanta to Medellín
Grillz took off in US hip hop, especially in the South, in the late 1990s and throughout the 2000s, with artists turning the mouth into another piece of jewellery. That culture travelled through music videos and social media and landed in a city that already had a strong rap and breaking scene in neighbourhoods like Comuna 13.
What's interesting is that the removable format — the one we make at the studio — was always closest to the original spirit of that aesthetic: jewellery you put on for the occasion, not a permanent change to the tooth.
Reggaeton city
Over the last decade Medellín became a global reference point for reggaeton and Spanish-language urban music. Recording studios, producers and videos shot on its streets put paisa urban style in front of millions on YouTube and social media.
Those videos feature big jewellery, thick chains, branded clothing and, increasingly, a flash of metal in the smile that became part of the genre's visual language.
Jewellery, not costume
What we see every day at the studio is that people are not copying one particular artist — they are after their own version of that aesthetic. Subtle fangs for the office that do not draw too much attention, an open face for the weekend, or a full iced set for the stage or video.
That flexibility is exactly the advantage of custom pieces: you can have a sober set for the day and a bolder one for the night, without either compromising your teeth. See every combination in styles.
From the party to every day
La 70 in Estadio, Provenza in El Poblado, the fondas and clubs of Sabaneta: grillz are now a regular part of the city's nightlife, both at private parties and in everyday neighbourhood life.
More people wear them by day too, at work or casual meetups, because custom removables are comfortable and can be taken out in seconds if the occasion calls for it. That normalisation is fairly recent and tracks the growth of the genre that popularised it.
Why paisa reggaeton adopted this exact accessory
Reggaeton, as a genre, has always built its visual identity around visible luxury: chains, watches, clothes and now grillz all serve the same purpose of signalling status and belonging to a scene. Unlike a watch or a chain, a grill only appears when you smile or sing, which makes it an almost theatrical detail in a video or live set.
That "appear and disappear" quality is part of why the removable format fits the music so well: you can save it for the exact moment you want it noticed, instead of wearing it fixed 24 hours a day.
A little general history of dental adornment
Decorating or modifying teeth for aesthetic reasons did not start with hip hop: ancient Mesoamerican cultures already inlaid stones like jade into teeth as a mark of status, and different regions and eras around the world have had similar dental ornamentation practices, with meanings ranging from religious to purely decorative.
What US hip hop added to that long history was the removable format and the idea of the grill as interchangeable jewellery rather than a fixed change to the tooth. That distinction matters: today's urban aesthetic, including the paisa scene, inherits more of that logic of temporary jewellery than of a permanent transformation.
Understanding that background helps explain why removable grillz, custom-made on a mould or digital scan without filing the tooth, connect both with the original tradition and with what people actually want today: something eye-catching you can put on and take off as the moment calls for it.
Medellín's urban scene, beyond the music
Reggaeton did not grow in isolation: it developed alongside breaking, graffiti, streetwear and an urban fashion culture that already had strong roots in the city from earlier decades of local rap and hip hop scenes. Neighbourhoods with a strong artistic and nightlife tradition, from the city centre to areas like Laureles, became fertile ground for that mix of music, fashion and personal style.
In that context, grillz did not arrive as an isolated fad; they became one more piece in an urban wardrobe that includes sneakers, chains, caps and distinctive haircuts. It is an accessory best understood as part of a look, not a standalone object.
Grillz on camera, on stage and on social media
Modern music video aesthetics reward details that read well in a close-up shot, which is why thick chains, big stones and, increasingly, iced grillz work so well on camera. A close-up of a smile with some shine communicates in a split second what used to take an explanation.
The same logic applies to social media, where a short video or a party photo is built around one strong visual detail. You don't need to be on stage to feel that effect: anyone with custom grillz can use that same idea of instant visibility in their own photos and videos.
Common myths about grillz and urban music
A frequent myth is that grillz are exclusive to artists or people in the music industry; in practice, most people who order them at the studio are not professional musicians. Another myth is that all grillz are the same; in reality there's a wide range, from a simple silver piece to a full gold set with stones.
It's also common to think wearing them daily damages your teeth; a well-made custom removable grill, without filing the tooth, combined with the right care routine, does not have to compromise your dental health. You can read more on the topic in do grillz damage your teeth?.
Who orders them at the studio
Not just artists and producers — also dancers, content creators, students and professionals who simply want a different accessory for events and nights out. The mix of clients reflects just how embedded reggaeton culture is in everyday Medellín, well beyond the stage.
Curious about pricing before you decide? Check how much do grillz cost in Medellín in 2026 to get a clear budget by metal, or see the full list on prices.
Choosing a design that fits your style
If your day to day is more formal, subtle silver fangs or a small gold detail can give you that urban touch without changing your everyday look too much. If you want a strong presence for parties, shoots or performances, a full iced set or a gold arch with stones has far more visual impact.
Understanding the full process, from mould to delivery, also helps you decide calmly: check the step by step on how it works before booking, especially if it's your first time ordering a custom piece.
Grillz for people who aren't musicians but love the culture
You don't need to be on a stage or shooting a video to enjoy this aesthetic: design students in Manila, young entrepreneurs in Belén, or just friends heading out for a weekend night order grillz for the same reason someone buys a chain or a striking pair of sneakers: they like how it looks and how it feels to wear.
That democratisation of the accessory is, at its core, how urban fashion naturally moves: what starts tied to one music genre ends up part of a much wider everyday wardrobe, without taking anything away from people who wear it out of genuine love for the music.
A note on respecting the culture
Grillz carry real cultural weight, so it's worth wearing them with some awareness of where the style comes from: a craft rooted in hip hop and later embraced by reggaeton and Medellín's broader urban scene. Appreciating that history is part of enjoying the accessory, not just the finished look.
That's also why we focus on craftsmanship over hype: a well-made custom piece, fitted to your own teeth, holds up far better over years of wear than a generic one-size design, no matter which aesthetic inspired it.
How to start yours
Want yours? The first step is picking the style: fangs, a top set, open face or a full arch, in silver, gold or iced. Start playing with combinations in the configurator and book your mould once you know what you want.
Wondering how long production takes by metal? Read how long grillz take to make before you lock in a date.