There couldn’t be a more important facet of Atlanta’s meteoric rise in the early 2000s than the implementation of grillz. Eddie Plein, better known as “Famous Eddie,” was responsible for the creation, rise, and favor of the widely-popularized grillz. Atlanta locals will remember his brick-and-mortar store next to the flea market, just a few minutes away from Greenbriar Mall. Within those walls sat a story that has never been told until today, thanks to director Lyle Lindgren.
A trove of archival footage was used to tell the story of Famous Eddie, a man of humble beginnings who started hosting house parties before finding his niche. First-person accounts came from the likes of A$AP Rocky, Goldie, Mike Tyson, Big Gip, Convertible Burt, and many other influential personalities.
The film is broken down into four chapters: “Kings of the Colosseum,” “Permanent Vacation,” “The New Mecca,” “Homage to Houston,” and “Haute Denture.” Each one details a pivotal point in Eddie’s life, culminating in a fashionable display of what’s now a global trend.
The in-person perspectives were the best part of the documentary. From attending Pele’s soccer camp to living on blended fruit in Miami, every story peeled back a layer of Eddie’s life and exposed it. So, how did Famous Eddie become a legend? It started when Just-Ice showed his grill on an album cover. Hip-hop culture is all about gaudy presentation. Albeit often a façade, jewelry and cars still mattered. So when a popular rapper pops out in a grill and puts that image on an album cover, the entire industry is going to take notice.
From the songs to the standalone stores, grillz became an instant hit in Atlanta. I remember just after finishing college, everyone wanted to find someone who lived in Atlanta and take them to Famous Eddie’s. Attending school next door in Alabama, I, along with other Georgia residents, suddenly became invaluable since word got around not to attempt the trip without a local. I’ll never forget watching faces go from excitement to dread after hearing the cost of the molding (remember, we just graduated from college). But that’s how it was. Literally everyone talked about grillz, but not just anyone could afford them, and most importantly, they didn’t want the fakes or the copycats. Everyone wanted to have the bragging rights of saying they got it from Eddie’s. Which is what made Gucci Mane’s breakout track controversial (aside from the ensuing beef with Jeezy) when he said, “Got a gold grill but it’s not from Eddie.”
After decades of dominance, new characters entered the game like Paul Wall and Johnny Dang. As time moved on, grillz started to evolve. What started with open faces and diamond cuts evolved into full-blown removable diamond sets. If the Just-Ice album cover rocketed Eddie to fame, imagine what the song “Grillz” did for Nelly and Paul Wall in the age of the internet and the budding of social media. Learning the entire story behind that track changed my perspective on it. That’s the sign of a legit documentary. Not necessarily to change an opinion, but to educate. After watching the film, it almost feels like I know him personally.
Whether you’re into hip-hop culture or not, it’s a documentary that’s worth watching. His story is motivational, no matter how you look at it. After moving from Suriname to New York City, a massive change in culture, weather, and pace, he and his siblings found their footing and thrived against all odds. Eddie Plein left a cultural imprint on hip-hop culture that will live on forever.
Mouth Full of Golds gets a 9 out of 10. I had always wondered what happened to Famous Eddie and his backstory. This documentary answers that and more. The time in Miami had some pretty entertaining anecdotes, but respectfully, the entire project is a gem that needs to be seen.
SCHEDULE:
Friday, June 12 – 8:30 PM | Spring Studios
Saturday, June 13 – 5:00 PM | AMC 19th St. East 6
Sunday, June 14 – 8:00 PM | AMC 19th St. East 6
Mouth Full of Golds made its world premiere at the 2026 Tribeca Festival tonight, June 12.
-Jon Jones
Category: Spotlight Documentary
Country: USA, UK, France
Director: Lyle Lindgren
Cast: A$AP Rocky, Famous Eddie Plein, Mike Tyson, Michele Lamy, Goldie Aka Clifford Price, Dolly Cohen
Runtime: 83 mins
Trailer: N/A
Language: English
U.S. Release Date: June 5, 2026