Fashion has always been a very big part of the hip hop and it is only getting bigger. Today we are witnessing a number of rappers who treat style as an important part of their career and lifestyle. Not only are they wearing the latest collections, they are also being invited into the fashion world. Many of these rappers are frequents guests of Fashion Week whether in New York or Paris.
Young Thug
Young Thug’s fashion sense can be best described as daring and unique, to say the least. Like it or love it, the rapper is breaking boundaries in hip hop fashion.
Earlier this year, the rapper shocked many when he posted a picture of himself in a skirt-crop top ensemble. Prior to this, he was also seen in a leopard print dress on a photoshoot. Young Thug likes to mix up his fashion. He throws clashing prints together and wears items not usually seen on rappers, such as bandana print pants and classic polo blue blazers.
It's not just his clothing choice where Young Thug likes to set himself apart. The Atlanta artist also has numerous tattoos, as well as a septum and lip piercing.
Theophilus London
Theophilus London and style go hand-in-hand. He is a household name around the fashion scene. Very recently, he headed out to Paris Fashion Week with his good friends Kanye West and Virgil. Theophilus also has a very well-documented friendship with designer Karl Lagerfield who was responsible for designing his Vibes album cover. He has also performed for both Chanel and Vogue.
London also has his own fashion line, LVRS, and has also collaborated with designer Cole Haan to make his own shoe. The on-trend rapper is a fan of the most exclusive Air Jordans, shredded Ksubi jeans and sequin plaid shirts.
Kanye West
Everyone is aware of Kanye’s passion for fashion, as well as his struggles in the industry. From the beginning, Yeezy has made it clear how important fashion is to him and has helped solidify its connection with hip hop. In some ways, West has helped editorial fashion to become fashionable in the new age of rap.
West has openly taken praise for trends such as the leather jogging pant. Ye’s influence on fashion in hip hop is pretty huge. We only have to look at the rapper's success with his shoe line the Air Yeezys. The Red Octobers sold out within seconds. West has gone onto to input his style into other collaborations with Louis Vuitton, BAPE and Adidas.
A$AP Rocky
A$AP Rocky
A$AP Rocky has always been straight up about his love for fashion and looking good. Even in his music, he told us “I be that pretty muthafucka”. You may also remember “Fashion Killa” from his LongLiveA$AP album, about his ideal woman in the finest clothes.
Rocky is often seen wearing some big designers. He is not scared to experiment with avant garde pieces like a floral print Balenciaga shirt and matching jacket seen in the video for “Wild For The Night”. At New York Fashion Week last year, Rocky was spotted wearing a balaclava, setting him apart from the crowd. Whether it is Dior, Supreme or Hood By Air, A$AP Rocky always looks good.
Pharrell Williams
If there is one man who has a proven influence on fashion, it is Pharrell. Commercially, Williams has made a nice profit from his clothing lines Billionaires Boys Club and ICE CREAM. Pharrell’s fashion usually gets people talking, you may remember his Vivienne Westwood ‘mountain’ hat. But for the Neptunes star, fashion is all about variety. Some days you may see him in some dope streetwear, other days he is in ankle swingers and guyliner.
Andre 3000
Andre 3000 has always been eccentric in his fashion choices. Wherever the Outkast rapper is, expect to see loud prints and bright colours. Andre’s fashion sense very much matches his outlandish musical style. He has shown men that it is perfectly acceptable to wear pink and corduroy, and that preppy-chic is always cool.
The rapper’s style got a salute recently when it was announced that his jumpsuits from Outkast’s recent 20th anniversary tour would be on exhibition at the Art Basil Show in Miami next month.
Wiz Khalifa
Wiz Khalifa’s style is extremely varied. A true fashion head, he often pulls off difficult looks, whilst also being able to keep it simple with dope streetwear. We all know that Wiz has a signature look often consisting of a tee, a waistcoat, the coolest eyewear, a hat and not forgetting those all important Chucks (he even has his own line). However he is not afraid to don a stylish suit, prints, and other hypnotizing patterns. Wiz’s fashion taste is so valued that he appeared on E!’s Fashion Police.
There are no boundaries for Wiz’s style demonstrated by his purple hair. He also helped set the trend for skinny pants, advocating “baggy jeans are done”.
Danny Brown
In recent years, we have seen the rise of rappers who are bringing along a very distinct style, Danny Brown is one of them. Brown has definitely made it fashionable to have a few teeth missing and donning an asymmetric haircut. But this isn’t all that he brings to the table with his style. Brown has had a liking for fashion from a young age, following the influence of his father. He is said to have sported some Timbalands back in 6th grade. Some of his current favourite designers include Mark McNairy and Cassette Playa.
Danny Brown is most definitely a new age rapper where fashion is crucial. Last year he told Esquire magazine how he wracked his brains over what to wear at Coachella.
Big Sean
Big Sean loves to switch his style up now again. He has shown his impeccable ability to dress appropriately whatever the events. Sean has been seen in some impressive designer suits, such as the Burberry navy blue one he donned at the TrevorLIVE LA event. At the same time, he often keeps it simplistic looking effortlessly dope in black pants and a white shirt.