Hope and Change Ending the "Bling" Era

Has the sagging economy taken the shine out of "bling", or could it be something else?

(CNN) -- Gold teeth, luxury cars and diamond chains heavy enough to slump a bodybuilder's shoulders have been ubiquitous symbols in hip-hop music for years, if not decades.

Rapper Lil Wayne performs Sunday night at the Grammys wearing a modest necklace.

1 of 3 But -- as you may have noticed at the Grammys on Sunday -- there are signs that the genre's high-dollar bling may not survive the economic recession.

Many rappers came to the annual music awards show wearing sleek suits; their famous jewels were conspicuously absent. Artist Lil Wayne, who accepted two of rap's biggest awards -- Grammys for best solo rap performance and best rap album -- performed wearing a T-shirt. Only a modest necklace dangled from his neck.

Like everyone these days, rappers are feeling the effects of the country's economic meltdown. But industry commentators are split on whether they think financial woes will cause rappers to give up their hefty jewels.

Some experts contacted by CNN said the bling era soon will come crashing down.

However, some folks think the lack of bling could be caused by a higher purpose:

"This is not about just popping bottles and buying jewelry," he said, also attributing some of the trend to Obama's election. "Everyone's got to be responsible and mature."

If Obama's election can bring responsibility and maturity to the gangsta rap crowd, it might just be worth it.