Johnny Dang

For the song, see Johnny Dang (song).
Johnny Dang
Born
Đặng Anh Tuấn

1972 (age 51–52)
Đắk Lắk, Vietnam
NationalityVietnamese, American
Other namesTV Johnny
OccupationJeweler
SpouseJennifer Dang[1]
Websitejohnnydangandco.com

Johnny Dang (born 1972 or 1973[2]) is a Vietnamese jeweler based in Houston, Texas, who is known for his custom grills and involvement in the American hip-hop scene. He is a founder of Johnny Dang and Co.[3]

Biography

Dang was born Đặng Anh Tuấn[4] in the Đắk Lắk Province of Vietnam near the end of the Vietnam War.[5] Dang's grandfather and father both worked in the jewelry trade.[6] In 1987, Dang's father left Vietnam and emigrated to the United States.[5] In 1996, Dang and his family followed his father to Houston. He was 23 years old.[2] He began working in jewelry repair with his brother at a Houston flea market.[5][2]

Dang opened his first store, TV Jewelry, in the Sharpstown Mall in 1998.[7] He found a niche in making jeweled grills for clients. After making a grill for rapper Paul Wall, the two went into business together in 2002.[8] In 2016, Dang moved his business from the Sharpstown Mall to a stand-alone location.[9][10]

In 2021, Dang broke off his business relationship with Vietnamese YouTuber Khoa Pug [vi] after the price of their mutually held cryptocurrency dropped.[11][12]

Dang has been referenced in musical recordings by Migos, Gucci Mane, Lil Pump, Keith Ape, and Chief Keef, 21 Savage, among others.[3]

He has appeared in music videos including "Gucci Bandanna" by Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane, and Shawty Lo,[3] "Grillz" by Nelly,[3] "Wild Boy" by Machine Gun Kelly,[13] "No Angel" by Beyoncé,[14] "We Takin' Over" by DJ Khaled,[7] "And I Still" by Rod Wave,[15] "Ice Tray" by Quavo and Lil Yachty,[16] "Ice Cream Paint Job" by Dorrough,[17] "Johnny Dang" by That Mexican OT, Paul Wall and Drodi[18] and "Bigger in Texas" by Megan Thee Stallion.[19]

Dang himself has provided vocals for songs, such as on "Stay Iced Up" off Paul Wall's 2010 album Heart of a Champion.[20]

References

  1. ^ Smith, Cecilia. "TV Johnny & Paul Wall Open The Largest Johnny Dang & Co. Store In Houston". Houston Style Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Tawatari, Zach (22 May 2023). "'A dream come true': How Houston's jeweler Johnny Dang became the 'King of Bling'". khou.com. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Morgan, Heather R. "How Vietnamese Immigrant Johnny Dang Became Rap's Favorite Jeweler". Forbes. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  4. ^ "From Poverty to King of Bling". House of Dang. Season 1. February 23, 2020. Event occurs at 4:33. VICE. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Terry, Josh (25 February 2020). "Watch artist Post Malone Get New Grills on VICE's New Series 'House of Dang'". VICE. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Johnny Dang is the King of Bling". On the Rocks. May 30, 2019. Event occurs at 0:15. GQ. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Ip, Chris. "Hip-hop took these jewelers from flea market stalls to flagship stores". NBC News. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  8. ^ Avila, Arielle (20 November 2019). "Smile on the Rocks". Texas Monthly. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  9. ^ Luna, Marcy de (20 March 2019). "When celebs want bling, they go to this Houston jeweler". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  10. ^ Caldwell, Brandon (24 October 2016). "Johnny Dang & Paul Wall Launch Largest Jewelry Shop Yet". Houston Press.
  11. ^ Sang, Xuân; Khang, An (3 December 2021). "Johnny Dang phản bác Khoa Pug". ZingNews.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  12. ^ Thịnh, Phúc (1 December 2021). "Ồn ào giữa Johnny Dang và Khoa Pug". ZingNews.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  13. ^ Currinn, Jonathan. "Machine Gun Kelly Featuring Waka Flocka Flame - Wild Boy". Critic Jonni. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  14. ^ Guerra, Joey (16 December 2013). "Beyonce's homage to Houston". San Antonio Express-News.
  15. ^ Zidel, Alex. "Rod Wave Relies on His Old Habits in 'And I Still'". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  16. ^ Mench, Chris. "Quavo & Lil Yachty Parody 'Everyday Struggle' in Their New Video for 'Ice Tray'". Genius. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  17. ^ Serrano, Shea (27 November 2009). "Five Spot: Where's Johnny? For That Matter, Who's Johnny?". Houston Press. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  18. ^ That Mexican OT - Johnny Dang (feat. Paul Wall & Drodi) (Official Music Video), retrieved 2024-03-24
  19. ^ Kaufman, Gil (October 25, 2024). "Megan Thee Stallion Honors Her H-Town Roots in 'Bigger in Texas' Video Featuring Scarface, Paul Wall & Slim Thug". Billboard. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  20. ^ Ryon, Sean (21 July 2010). "Paul Wall - Heart of a Champion". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2020.

Further reading