IUC Fashion: Hip Hop Fashion Rides in Big Styles
- Flav the undisputed Fashion Icon of Hip Hop
Da’ Hip Hop scene has come a long way since Al Jolson busted out the blackface in the 20’s and pranced around the stage in an effort to keep the ennui induced by white culture at bay. Vulgar racism aside, Hip Hop fashinz’ of late have gleaned a little style tip from Jolson’s era and it has nothing to do with picking the kind of coal the won’t clog your pores; rather, Jolson and others of his generation would say always wear clothes that fit and, guess what sistahs, check out the recent magz, Diddy himself would agree.
Not only have flavor flav’s tyrrano-timekeepers disappeared from those hip-hoppers who are not considered laughable or ironic, so have giant jerseys, fat (not phat) ass Fubu jeans, and titanium teeth. With the success of the Hip-Hop industry (Diddy does have his own version of The Apprentice after all), it is quite natural for fashion to reflect a slightly more practical spirit.
On the gangsta’ gift guide one is more likely to find Casio’s Atomic timekeeper (yes a watch) accented with a hint of gold than an ‘iced out,’ multi-finger ring
that says ‘Big Time.’ Hip-hoppers are not going nerdy, the Cosby sweater is not making a comeback, but leather jackets, plaid shirts, and climber boots are all (to use a phrase no longer belonging to the whitey) par for the course.
The one giant part of Hip-Hop culture that has yet to have faded into oblivion is the use of the SUV. Really, it is a rather gross, white-man thing to self-congratulatorily ride around in a Prius, sipping on Starbucks and puling into a special spot reserved only for Hybrid vehicles, while the kid with crutches slowly hobbles his way to a nearby door. After all, it is understandable that the hip-hop world continues to ride in big styles – they spent enough time making room for white folks at the back of the bus. But thanks to the new hybrid Escalade series, blacks can drive SUVs “Lac and proud.” Move over Larry David, Diddy’s about to run you motha f..cka down.
(IUC Fashion Correspondent Erin Hershberg)
Its great to see Hip hop changing right in front of our eyes,just like a Das who gets to see his son grow at times i was mad at hip hop:when some of my kids got arrested or died due to violence in the rap community,sometimes i was proud of it;when it got the #1 billboard spot,when it broke 1st week sales.Nevertheless,now that Hip hop is over 21 and maturing,he left the baggy pants alone and traded them in for some form fitting pants.im proud of my son
ReplyI am a Hip Hop head. I love Hip Hop. But I plead with people, please do not confuse Hip Hop with what is more frequently on our airwaves and on BET nowadays, Crap Hop. Child, this shyt is outta control! I liked when Hip Hop was urban inspired not only by bling, but by realness. Remember the “back to back” shirts and the green baggy jeans with the Timberland boots? That was good times. My least favourite trend in Hip Hop today is grills. Do these fools know how dumb they look? I wish I could get one of their ancestors to comeback from the afterlife and give them a good ass whoopin! Why don’t they spend their money on hiring someone to write meaningful lyrics…does TUPAC and BIGGIE ring a bell??!! Lord where did all the good MCs go..the ones that were less about marketing and more about showing social devastation and revealing the street life?
ReplyI like some Hip Hop MCs out there. Kanye’s got style, Diddy, LL Cool J-but most of the men just look like some twisted version of children with too much money.
To me there is a difference between being a fashion icon and just being remembered for having wankster styles! Word.
I think in order for black America to be taken seriously, they need to look a little more serious.
So glad people are waking up….
Reply[...] IUC Fashion: Hip Hop Fashion Rides in Big Styles … for fashion to reflect a slightly more practical spirit. On the gangsta’ gift guide one is more likely to find Casio’s Atomic timekeeper (yes a watch) accented with a hint of gold than an ‘iced out,’ multi-finger ring that says ‘Big Time.’ Hip-hoppers are not going nerdy, the Cosby sweater is not making … [...]