Greetings to all my Hip-Hop Heads.You remember the era of oversized white T-shirts,Baggy jeans,Kangol caps and sneakers?In the 90s Hip-Hop scene, not only did we notice a new culture emerge, but there was an explosion of new fashions and trends. Sportswear and fashion brands such as Kangol,Le Coq Soprtiff,Adidas and Pro-Keds were established.
Today we’re looking into the world of Hip-Hop fashion and trends. We’re going to look at how it influenced the whole world of fashion.
1.The Influence of Celebrities in Street Fashion
2.The Identity Within The Image
3.Skaters Culture
4.Modern Fashion Scene(2000s-2010 and beyond)
5. Misdirection and Criticism
The Influence of Celebrities in Street Fashion
As the culture of Hip-Hop grew , so did the diverse trends and fashions. The look of the streets grew into commercial success in the 1990s. So what is it that made it grow into the fashion industry? Well since Hip-Hop music became increasingly influential , the fashion of the Hip-Hop scene became popularized by celebrities. They pioneered the street culture and street entrepreneurship.
N.W.A:Gangsta rap pioneers, N.W.A, popularized a particular form of street style. They used to wear Dickies pants,white T-shirts, Locs sunglasses,Air Jordan sneakers, Black Radider snapback hats and Raider Starter Jackets. It was inspired by the African-American gangs who were mimmicking cholo fashion, later becoming a status symbol.Even though it was often banded together with incidents of crimes in black neighbourhoods.
LL Cool J: Few people knew of the European hat maker, Kangol. Rapper LL Cool J popularized the Kangol hat back in the 80s.The style was widely adopted and it transforned a traditional,”old world” luxury symbol and made it modern. In 2003 they acknowledged the popularity by LL Cool J.
Aaliyah: Aaliyah created a fashion trend amongst women. A combinataion of baggy pants, a crop top or sports bra and a big flannel. This iconic look resembled their own version of femininity and that everything does not have to be form-fitting and tight to be sexy.
This is what popularized the several lists of brands with the street fashion.Hip-hop celebrities began to gain major influence and their influence contributed to the rising industry of Hip-Hop fashion.
The 21 brands that influenced the decade: https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/90s-hip-hop-fashion/?format=amp
The Identity Within The Image:
The history of slavery is tied with the history of Hip-hop, in fact Hip-hop is a continuous movement protesting against modern slavery. Oppression made the slaves loose their identity as years went by. Soul music was not as influential anymore. Our African traditions and customs were far from reach. Hip-Hop was an instrument that evolved and reinvented everything. It is the new age movement that protests against the current unfair economic practices.
This is where Black Nationalism comes in. Hip-hop empowers socially,politically and economically. The black communites needed to find themselves within this new movement. They needed to resist conforming to white culture, so they needed to find their own racial and national identity as black people.The trends that grew from the street had stemmed from that same need.
These fashions and trends are the ways in which we expand our Black Nationalism. They symbolise the racial and national identity of black people. They are a new age response to oppression.
Skater’s Culture:
Skating was never viewed as a Hip-hop element or a part of the culture. They were never recognised,but they too, created a diverse stream of fashion and trends that later became popular in the 20th and 21st century.
Odd Future member, Tyler The Creator, is the pioneer which popularized this street style back in 2010. He also went on to create a new merchandise line for himself named Golf Wang. This influenced the rise of new brands such as Supreme,Vans and Obey.
So we can say that the skaters are also a prominent role in Hip-hop scene.
Modern Fashion Scene(2000s-2010):
Today , we have multiple brands which rely on the Hip-hop fashion scene. It has taken over the whole fashion industry and im talking worldwide. Many of these brands see the wide range market that it has and, most improtantly, the potential of profit.
The Hip-hop fashion scene went from reviving old brands such as Kangol to creating a new form of street entrepreneurship.We have various brands that are owned by black people such as
•Michael Jordan (Jordan)
•Tyler,The Creator(Gof Wang)
•Diddy(Sean John and Enyce)
•Damon Dash and Jay z(Rocawear)
•Kanye West(Yeezy)
This is what was able to set the tone for Black Nationalism. It gave black people their identity back. Even though it has its upside , it was able to fulfil a puropse.
Misdirection and Criticism:
Materialism
In his 1992 rap song “Us” , Ice Cube said:
“Us niggaz will always sing the blues/Coz all we care about is hairstyles and tennis shoes.”
The mentality of Hip-Hop fashion has taken a short left away from the purpose. Nowadays in order to feel good about yourself , you need a pair of sneakers, gold chain and a luxury SUV or whatever the case may be. Mind due ,that you’re not even financially stable yet. The streets put too much value on these possessions. They do it for a mere status symbol in the community.
It may seem harmless for starters but it puts pressure on the youth. It becomes banded with a series of crime incidents. Young black males are getting killed for a pair of Air Jordan sneakers. Robberies in neighbourhoods are becoming a norm.
You want to know what i think? Its only a mere lack of information. Its a social idea built from a place envy and lust. The need of being socially validated and accepted played a huge role. In one simple word? Its Materialism.
Since huge and expensive brands such as Louis Vitton and Gucci use Hip-hop influencers to brand their images, there often comes a misinterpretation. The misinterpretation that this what you need to be validated. The misinterpretation that this is what you need to feel good about yourself.
This is the upside i mentioned earlier. The disadvangtage of street trends and fashion. Although it serves a beautiful purpose, people misinterpret the purpose and that is due to a lack knowledge.
This is why you should stay tuned for another episode of Hip-Hop Heads, its the only place to discover the real in Hip-hop.
Watch this video for more insight:
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