Fashion in Hip-Hop

The fashion game has evolved and changed over the 21 years that I have been on this planet called Earth. Where I grew up at people in my neighborhood wore Fila, Champion, Nike, Adidas, and Reebok among other big name clothing and shoe brands. Many musicians revolutionized and paved the way for having their very own clothes and shoes. At a young age I remember clothing lines like Rocawear, Phat Farm, Sean John. Rapper clothing lines/brands were a rarity once upon a time. Nowadays it seems like rappers get a clothing line as soon as they get a deal, which is unfortunate. Rappers are very busy people and it's hard being a great artist in two demanding industries. Only a few have been able to pull it off. Some simply put their name behind a clothing line to make a quick buck which in turn diminishes their personal brand because the clothes are so very. Faithful fans will rock their clothes even though kids nowadays make fun of them in school. Clothing labels like Rocawear, FUBU, Phat Farm and Wu-Wear has paved the way for rappers to be viewed not simply as recording artists, but as trendsetters, innovators and successful businessmen.

Perhaps the earliest embodiment of hip-hop’s embracing a more “inspirational” aesthetic was the adoption of “preppy” brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, and Polo Ralph Lauren. This was matched with an interest in luxury labels like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, Balmain, Prada, and Burberry. Nowadays rappers like A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, Travis Scott, don't just rock fancy clothes they also model clothing for big brands such as Gucci, Prada, Dior, Maison Martin Margiela, and HBA, Rick Owens, Yves Saint Laurent, and Moncler.

Between the years of 2000 and 2008 fashion in the rap game was at its high point. During this time rappers like 50 Cent had his own style which consisted of wearing tank-tops, New York Yankee fitted hats with the white wave cap underneath, baggy jeans, and bulletproof vests. Then you also had guys wearing really big white t-shirts, Grills in their mouth, big chains around their necks, and Nike Air Force One shoes.

The way this new generation is setup is that they so many more different brands to choose from. I also believe that most artists receive free stuff from the foreign expensive companies. I see so many artists today wearing skinny pants, $1,000+ sneakers, custom fitted suits and skirts.