Hip Hop and Streetwear

Hip-Hop culture is currently running the world of streetwear.

Just like every detail of a beat or lyric is taken into account of in terms of importance so is every type of stitching and color worn. You can sow a lot deeper meaning into something if you really pay attention and that’s exactly what Hip-Hop artists want you to do. Using a staple pieces like TaReef Knockout does with FSU Merch is a big part of who he is and speaks volumes into where he is from and the pride that comes with that. Some hot pieces that are on the accessible market right now are the chunky white Nike Airforce 1’s, Gucci belts, and designer labeled fanny packs. Many have adopted these looks as their own and can identify with the contemporary aesthetic which Streetwear provides. There is no limit to Streetwear’s ability to evolve and positively shock the public into new, unparalleled versions of fashion. Hip-Hop culture has run the world of Streetwear fashion for decades. Typically known to follow limited edition releases or fusing multiple elements, streetwear has become a style of clothing that has given people a new outlet of artistic expression. As new Hip-Hop artists pop up on the scene with each passing second, influxes of bold color palettes and parachute pants are seen to be making a comeback. Many critics against the movement have tried to categorize the 21st century as one “without any true staple style” and label Streetwear as “too messy and lacking uniform”. Yet in recent years, designers and fashion influencers everywhere have taken note of the Streetwear trend and have begun blending the eye-catching patterns with their ideas of haute couture. Elite fashion labels have also begun collecting more Hip-Hop artist opinion/suggestion to incorporate into their own original pieces. Last fall at the Alexander Wang 2018 Fall/Winter Collection, Rap artist and Streetwear regular, Cardi B, was personally invited to sit front row. Wang, along with Gucci and DNKY, has been well known to have adopted the concept of Streetwear into his own collections. This stylistic choice shines light on the intricacy of designers like Wang and shows us what they value in fashion, simplicity is out, and vibrancy and detail is in. Depicted in an image by Nick Tracanna, Local Tallahassee Rapper TaReef Knockout is styled in a vintage FSU windbreaker and snapback, here we see how the Hip-Hop industry is bringing back all sorts of pieces to represent where they’re from and where they’re going. Taking their cities to the forefront of the worlds stage both musically and stylistically. Hip-Hops influence on streetwear is a lot more than a look, it’s a statement, rappers see this as another layer of individuality and representation. Pictured Left: Tallahassee Rapper, TaReef, performing in staple FSU merchandise By: Susan Cavailhon