LIL JON: Making History with 'Bling' Thing

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

The platinum-selling hip-pop artist Lil Jon has made history.

The dreadlocked, self-proclaimed "King of Crunk" can now boast the title of "King of Bling," by recently setting a new Guinness World Record for the 'Largest Diamond Pendant' for his 'Crunk Aint Dead' pendant.

With an appraised value of $500,000, Jon's diamond pendant is 7.5 inches tall, 6 inches wide, and 1 inch thick, weighing 5.11 pounds with a total 73 carats of diamonds, his publicist Simone Smalls confirmed to The BV Newswire. Created by jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills, the total stone count is 3,756 genuine round-cut white diamonds set in 18-karat yellow and white gold.

That's heavy.

For those who don't know: Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 20 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy.

"I'm glad the Guinness World Records folks acknowledged me and my Crunk Ain't Dead piece," Jon (legally known as Jonathan Smith) said. "I spent a load of money on that chain. I had no idea I would break a record and be recognized for it. It's an honor to be included on that list. I grew up on reading and hearing about people and celebrities who break records in the Guinness World Records Book and it always fascinated me. Now that I'm on the list, it feels great. Let's just see how many rappers try to outdo my pendant and break my record. They don't call me the King of Crunk for nothing!"

Alrightee then.

"[We are] pleased to recognize Lil Jon as a new member of our record-breaking family," said Alistair Richards, Guinness World Records Managing Director. "We congratulate him on his remarkable achievement in setting the record for the Largest Pendant."

Jon, 34, is currently hard at work in the studio writing, producing and recording his highly anticipated solo debut, to be titled 'Crunk Rock.' Due out this year, the project will feature collaboratons with Good Charlotte, Ciara, Lil Wayne, R.Kelly, Three 6 Mafia, Rick Rubin, Green Day, and Korn's Jonathan Davis.