Johnny Dang is a Vietnamese-American jeweler who has earned the nickname of the King of Bling for his dazzling custom creations. He is the founder and owner of Johnny Dang and Co., a wholesale jewelry company that caters to celebrities, athletes, and hip-hop stars. He is also a rapper and a reality TV star who has appeared in several music videos and shows. But how did he achieve such success and fame? What is his net worth and how does he spend it? In this article, we will explore the life and career of Johnny Dang, as well as his sources of income and expenses.
Early Life and Education
Johnny Dang was born as Đặng Anh Tuấn in Đắk Lắk, Vietnam, in 1974. He grew up in a poor village where his father and grandfather were jewelers. He learned the craft from them and started making jewelry at a young age. In 1987, his father escaped Vietnam by boat and settled in Houston, Texas, where he opened a small jewelry shop. In 1996, Johnny and his mother and siblings joined his father in Houston. He was 23 years old at the time.
Johnny enrolled in Houston Community College to learn English and improve his skills. He also worked with his brother at a flea market, repairing watches and making custom jewelry. He soon realized that there was a huge demand for unique and flashy jewelry in the American market, especially among the hip-hop community. He decided to pursue his passion and open his own store.
Career as a Jeweler
In 1998, Johnny opened his first store, TV Jewelry, in the Sharpstown Mall in Houston. He named it after his nickname, TV Johnny, which he got from his customers who saw him on TV shows. He specialized in making grills, which are removable metal covers for teeth that are often studded with diamonds or other precious stones. He made his first grill for rapper Paul Wall, who became his friend and business partner. Together, they launched Grills by Paul Wall, a company that sold custom-made grills online.
Johnny’s reputation as a jeweler to the stars grew rapidly as he started making jewelry for other famous rappers, such as Nelly, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Kanye West, and Drake. He also expanded his clientele to include singers, actors, athletes, and socialites. Some of his notable customers are Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Justin Bieber, Post Malone, Travis Scott, Floyd Mayweather Jr., LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner.
Johnny’s jewelry is known for its quality, creativity, and extravagance. He uses high-grade materials such as gold, platinum, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls. He can make any design imaginable, from simple chains and rings to elaborate pendants and bracelets. He can also customize any item with personal details such as names, initials, logos, or portraits. Some of his most famous pieces are:
- A $250,000 grill for Quavo that spells out “Huncho” in diamonds.
- A $500,000 grill for Lil Uzi Vert that features pink diamonds.
- A $1 million grill for Post Malone that has 12 carats of diamonds.
- A $2 million necklace for Travis Scott that has a 150-carat diamond pendant shaped like a cactus.
- A $4 million necklace for Pharrell Williams that has a 34-carat yellow diamond pendant shaped like a human brain.
Johnny has also collaborated with other brands and artists to create exclusive collections and limited-edition items. For example, he teamed up with Nike to make a pair of Air Force 1 sneakers that have 11 carats of diamonds on them. He also worked with Supreme to make a gold pendant that features their logo in diamonds.
In 2016, Johnny moved his business from the Sharpstown Mall to a standalone location on Richmond Avenue in Houston. The new store is bigger and more luxurious than the previous one. It has three floors that showcase different types of jewelry and accessories. It also has a VIP lounge where customers can relax and enjoy drinks while waiting for their orders.
In 2020, Johnny opened another store in Los Angeles on Melrose Avenue. The LA store is similar to the Houston one but has more Hollywood flair. It has a red carpet entrance and a mural of Johnny’s face on the wall. It also has a recording studio where Johnny can make music with his friends.
Career as a Rapper
Besides being a jeweler, Johnny is also a rapper who goes by the name of TV Johnny or King Johnny. He started rapping as a hobby but soon realized that he had talent and potential. He released his first mixtape in 2005 called The Takeover Vol. 1: The King of Grills. He followed it up with several other mixtapes and albums, such as The Takeover Vol. 2: The King of Bling, The Takeover Vol. 3: The King of Ice, and The Takeover Vol. 4: The King of Diamonds.
Johnny’s rap style is influenced by his Vietnamese heritage and his Houston roots. He raps in both English and Vietnamese, and he incorporates elements of Southern hip-hop, such as chopped and screwed beats, heavy bass, and catchy hooks. He often raps about his jewelry, his lifestyle, his success, and his struggles. Some of his popular songs are:
- “Stay Iced Up” featuring Paul Wall and C Stone
- “Grillz” featuring Nelly, Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp
- “Ice Out Everything” featuring Paul Wall and Slim Thug
- “Diamonds in My Mouth” featuring Chamillionaire and Lil Flip
- “King Johnny” featuring Z-Ro and Paul Wall
Johnny has also collaborated with other artists from different genres, such as pop, rock, country, and R&B. He has worked with artists such as Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Ashanti, John Legend, Kid Rock, and Willie Nelson.
Career as a Reality TV Star
Johnny is also a reality TV star who has appeared in several shows that document his life and work. He has been featured in shows such as:
- Super Sweet Sixteen on MTV, where he made a grill for a birthday girl.
- Spring Bling on BET, where he showcased his jewelry at a beach party.
- House of Dang on VICE, where he gave a tour of his Houston store and made a grill for Post Malone.
- On the Rocks on GQ, where he showed off his most expensive pieces and gave advice on how to buy jewelry.
- The Johnny Dang and Paul Wall Show on YouTube, where he and Paul Wall shared their stories and experiences in the music and jewelry industry.
Johnny has also made cameo appearances in movies such as:
- Furnace (2006), where he played a jeweler who sold a grill to Ja Rule’s character.
- All About the Benjamins (2002), where he played a jeweler who sold a grill to Ice Cube’s character.
- How High (2001), where he played a jeweler who sold a grill to Method Man’s character.
Personal Life
Johnny is married to Jennifer Dang, who is also his business partner. They have two children together: a son named Johnny Dang Jr. and a daughter named Tiffany Dang. They live in a mansion in Houston that has a pool, a basketball court, a movie theater, and a garage full of luxury cars.
Johnny is a devout Christian who attends church regularly. He also supports various charities and causes, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Red Cross, the Houston Food Bank, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
Johnny is an avid traveler who likes to visit different places around the world. He has been to countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, Thailand, Australia, and South Africa. He often posts photos and videos of his trips on his social media accounts.
Net Worth
According to various sources, Johnny Dang’s net worth is estimated to be between $9 million and $25 million. As of 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around $20 million. His company, Johnny Dang and Co., is valued between $13 million and $15 million.
His main source of income is his jewelry business, which generates millions of dollars in revenue every year. He also earns money from his rap career, his reality TV shows, his endorsements, and his investments.
His main expenses are his taxes, his employees’ salaries, his production costs, his marketing costs, and his security costs. He also spends money on his personal needs and wants, such as his family, his home, his cars, his clothes, his travel, and his entertainment.
Conclusion
Johnny Dang is one of the most successful jewelers in the world who has built an empire out of his passion and talent. He is also a rapper and a reality TV star who has entertained millions of fans with his music and personality. He is an inspiration to many people who dream of achieving their goals and living their best lives. He is truly the King of Bling.
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