The Iced-Out Proposal: How Grillz Became the New Engagement Ring

Introduction

author：Ltgrillzjewelry

In a bold fusion of hip-hop culture, luxury aesthetics, and a personal love story, A$AP Rocky and Rihanna made headlines with a proposal that went beyond a conventional ring. In the music video for Rocky’s single D.M.B. (released May 5 2022), he sports custom grillz that read “MARRY ME?”, while Rihanna responds in-kind with her own grillz reading “I DO.” 

This article delves into the significance of that moment—from the cultural history of grillz in hip-hop, to the symbolism of the proposal, the craftsmanship behind the custom pieces, the media reception, and what it says about identity, luxury and self-expression in the modern celebrity era.

The Cultural Context of Grillz

To understand the import of this proposal, one must first appreciate what grillz represent. Grillz—custom-fitted dental jewelry typically made of gold, platinum or adorned with diamonds—have deep roots in hip-hop culture and Black American aesthetics. As noted by Popsugar, grillz have “long been present in the Black community, with an especially rich history in hip-hop culture.” 

Origins and evolution

  • The concept of decorative gold teeth goes back beyond modern hip-hop—to various cultural practices, but in U.S. urban culture it became more visible in the 1980s-90s with rappers and DJs embracing gold teeth as a symbol of triumph, defiance, wealth and identity.

  • During that time, jewelers like Eddie Plein in New York outfitted key figures in the rap scene with gold teeth and grillz. 

  • Over the decades, grillz became not only status symbols but also tools of personal expression—fonts, lettering, shapes, customised messages.

Grillz as symbolism

  • For many hip-hop artists, wearing grillz signals self-made success: from tough neighborhood to affluence, from silenced voice to bling-enabled visibility.

  • They also carry a cultural punch of reclaiming luxury on one’s own terms—rather than traditional diamond rings or expensive watches, grillz say, “I made this, I got this, this is me.”

  • When used in a romantic or relationship context—as in this case—they shift the logic of engagement ritual: from ring + quiet dinner to loud, unapologetic, visually-declared love.

Why this matters for Rocky and Rihanna

  • A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers in Harlem, NY, has long exhibited interest in fashion, street culture, and luxury. Grillz are part of his visual identity.

  • Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, as a global pop-icon, entrepreneur (FENTY Beauty, Savage x Fenty) and cultural leader, knows how to wield symbols in powerful ways.

  • Their decision to deploy grillz as the proposal signal is a merging of their personal identities (hip-hop roots, fashion forwardness, global celebrity) with a non-traditional yet deeply meaningful object of commitment.

    The Proposal in the “D.M.B.” Video

    The single “D.M.B.” (stylised for Dat’s Mah Bitch) is itself an ode to Rocky’s devotion to Rihanna. The video acts as cinematic proof of that devotion, with visual storytelling culminating in the grillz mome

    Key scenes and narrative

    • The video shows Rocky and Rihanna in New York: dining, shopping, receiving each other after his incarceration (a symbolic ordeal), reinforcing a “ride-or-die” theme.

    • Near the end, Rocky opens his mouth to reveal grillz that say “MARRY ME?”; Rihanna then reveals hers saying “I DO.” 

    • The sequence ends with them getting married within the video: wedding dress, groom’s suit, rose petals, friends celebrating.

    Interpretation of the moment

    • The grillz function as both proposal and acceptance: instead of a ring on a finger, they are worn in the mouth, visible to the camera and the world.

    • It frames the relationship not just as romance but as brand, performance, identity: two icons publicly declaring commitment through hyper-luxury and visual spectacle.

    • It subverts the traditional engagement trope: not a hidden moment but a broadcast; not a ring but a custom object; not a whisper but a spectacle.

    Mechanics and costMILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 25: Asap Rocky and Rihanna are seen at the Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2022/23 on February 25, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jacopo M. Raule/Getty Images for Gucci)

    •  The estimated cost: Rocky’s “MARRY ME” grillz ≈ US$1,875; Rihanna’s “I DO” grillz ≈ US$1,525. 

    • The cost-estimate underscores how grillz—even when custom and meaningful—remain more niche and personal than mainstream diamond rings.

    • The blog also mentions the grillz were featured in publicity for the video and were custom-fitted. 

    Craftsmanship, Designer & Meaning

    Behind the grillz are artisans, dental moulds, gold, stones—and a design practice rooted in luxury and customization.

    The designer: Dolly Cohen

    • Vogue covered that Cohen, a Paris-based jeweler (formerly a dental technician), specialises in custom grillz for celebrities including Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.

    • Her approach: meet the client, take a mould of the teeth, propose design, craft in 18-k gold (white or yellow) with precision fitting. 

    What this means for the piece

    • The grillz aren’t mere decoration—they are bespoke jewellery, designed to fit one’s mouth, convey a message (“MARRY ME?” / “I DO”), and be worn on camera.

    • This elevates grillz from mere hip-hop bling to a statement of art and intimacy.

    • The message is embedded on the mouth: suggesting voice, declaration, speech. The proposal becomes literally verbalized in gold.

    Symbolic metals and messages

    • Gold, diamonds, platinum have played classical roles in jewellery—but here gold takes on a message beyond wealth: commitment, identity, rebellion.

    • The lettering style (“MARRY ME?”) is cut-out on the grillz—a design choice that emphasises clarity, readability, symbolic weight.

    • Rihanna’s “I DO” responds directly: the grillz concept becomes dialogic—he asks, she answers.

    Media and Cultural Reception

    The moment sparked an explosion of commentary, signifying multiple layers of what the imagery stands for.

    Media framing

    • Entertainment Tonight wrote about Rocky proposing to Rihanna with “Marry Me?” grill in the video. 

    • Popsugar described grillz as “the new engagement ring” in this case.

    • The story circulated widely on social media and fashion/celebrity outlets, emphasising novelty, style and glam.

    Cultural implications

    • The moment is celebrated as a re-definition of engagement symbolism: Not simply a ring, but wearable art; not private, but public; not quiet, but show-stopping.

    • It also anchors hip-hop aesthetics into mainstream romance tropes: making grillz, previously associated with bravado and style, part of love-ritual.

    • Some commentary points to the message of empowerment: Rihanna’s visible affirmation (her grillz) aligns with her brand of self-possession and mutual commitment.

    Potential critiques

    • One could ask: does the spectacle overshadow the intimacy of commitment? Will the meaning translate beyond celebrity culture?

    • Others may view the imagery as excessive or commodified: love expressed through luxury goods.

    • Yet the role of personal branding in modern celebrity means that this kind of moment serves both personal and public identity.

    What It Says About Identity, Luxury & Expression

    Beyond the headline moment, the grillz proposal encapsulates broader themes relevant to culture, fashion and identity.

    Redefining luxury

    • Luxury jewellery traditionally centres on rings, necklaces, watches. Here, grillz claim space as “proposal jewellery.”

    • This signals that luxury is no longer just about established forms—it’s about personalisation, novelty, and cultural resonance.

    • For a pair like Rocky and Rihanna—both immersed in fashion, streetwear, art—the proposal becomes a branding moment: stylised, memorable, media-ready.

    Interplay of tradition and disruption

    • The engagement ritual is centuries-old; here it is disrupted. The ring is replaced (or accompanied) by grillz; the dinner proposal replaced by a music-video scene.

    • This reflects how younger generations (and particularly creative/celebrity circles) adapt traditional rituals to new media, new forms.

    • It also reflects a cultural moment where hip-hop aesthetics are incorporated into mainstream luxury and romance.

    Power, partnership and visibility

    • The grillz moment positions Rocky and Rihanna as equal partners in a narrative: he proposes with “MARRY ME?”, she responds with “I DO.”

    • The visual operates on equality and mutuality rather than one partner passive, the other active.

    • The public visibility of the moment also aligns with their identities as global icons—commitment isn’t hidden, but shared with the world.

    Authenticity and performativity

    • Some might argue that such a moment is performative: created for cameras, media, fashion. And indeed it is. But performance does not negate meaning.

    • For artists whose lives intertwine personal identity and public persona, expressing love via a creative object can carry sincerity and conceptual richness.

    • The key is that this wasn’t just a stunt—it tied into their existing aesthetic, history and public narrative.

    Implications and Takeaways

    What can we as observers, fans, or cultural commentators learn from this moment?

    1. Personalisation matters – In a world of mass-market jewellery, bespoke design speaks louder. Grillz here become an intimate accessory and a public statement.

    2. Rituals evolve – Engagements don’t have to follow one template. New symbols (grillz, social-media announcements, music videos) are viable.

    3. Style + substance – While the grillz are flashy, the decision to use them in this context reflects a deeper alignment of identity, romance and material culture.

    4. Visibility and authenticity – For public figures, moments of commitment become public narratives. How one chooses to present love becomes part of the story.

    5. Cultural reclamation – Grillz, rooted in Black aesthetic culture, are used here in a globally visible romantic gesture—reclaiming and elevating what might previously have been marginalised fashion.

    Conclusion

    The “MARRY ME?” / “I DO” grillz moment of A$AP Rocky and Rihanna is more than a celebrity stunt—it is a layered statement about love, identity, luxury and culture. It takes an object typically associated with hip-hop bravado and repurposes it for a romantic ritual; it blends style, message and personal branding in a way that feels of its time.

    In doing so, it asks: What does commitment look like in 2022 and beyond? What objects represent our promises? How do we blend private love and public identity? For Rocky and Rihanna, the answer came in gold, cut-out letters, and a camera-ready moment.

    And for observers, it reminds us that jewellery doesn’t just adorn—it tells stories. Grillz are not just for bling—they can be for “yes.”