Recently, new school rappers primarily Lil Uzi Vert, Jaden Smith, and Young Thug have been criticized for how they dress. Uzi dresses like he’s the missing member of The Clash, while Thugger and Jaden have broken gender barriers time and time again sporting dresses and other accessories, but for some reason people are shocked. Why though?
Since the ’70s, hip hop has been changing and expanding its identity as more rappers and artists enter the game with their own unique personalities and swag. From MC Hammers’s vibrant “parachute pants,” to Kris Kross rocking their clothes backwards, to Kanye West sporting a leather skirt, rap has always had fearless artist who aren’t afraid to push the boundaries of fashion. So, for those concerned about what Uzi and Jaden are rocking (we’re looking at your rap old heads), hip hop has already been doing for decades. They are just continuing the trend.
Let’s take a look at the evolution of rule breaking style moments in hip hop fashion.
Before Kanye and Pharrell, Notorious B.I.G. was one of the fashion trendsetters in hip hop. Remember his influential style moments in the video below.
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1 1982Getty Images
While hip hop was born and evolving in the Bronx, New York, Melle Mel was taking his style cues from the punk rock scene of downtown New York. -
2 1985Getty Images
Stan Smith’s were the it-shoe in the New York hip hop scene, but it was Run DMC who brought it to a mainstream level with their classic no laces style. -
3 1989Getty Images
While everyone else was rocking gold chains and finger rings, Flava Flav stood out from the others sporting a plethora of clocks around his neck and top hats. -
4 1990Getty Images
From his flashy outfits and iconic “parachute pants,” MC Hammer helped blend barriers of pop and hip hop culture together for a more mainstream look. -
5 1991Getty Images
Similar MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice brought a level of glam to hip hop by rocking vibrant outfits, colors and bedazzled clothing. -
6 1992Getty Images
As streetwear started taking over the fashion scene in hip hop, Kris Kross decided to reverse it, literally. They made their own signature look by rocking their clothes backwards. -
7 1998Getty Images
As other artists were more into material designer items, Missy Elliot liked to take on more bold futuristic approach including this blown up minimalistic outfit. -
8 2001Getty Images
Inspired by the ’70s flashy P-Funk fashion Andre 3000 brought on a new level of creativity to how rappers can dress with his flamboyant style blends. -
9 2003Getty Images
Cam’Ron made pink trendy after turning heads in this pink mink ’fit. -
10 2011Getty Images
Kanye West caused commotion over his leather kilt during the Watch the Throne tour, but it helped carve a lane for younger generations to push gender norms. -
11 2014Getty Images
While fitted caps and snapbacks are staple fashion items in hip hop, Pharrell took a different approach by rocking Vivienne Westwood and Brixton hats. -
12 2016Getty Images
Jaden Smith breaking gender norms while bravely rocking a dress. -
13 2017INstagram
Lil Uzi Vert bringing back ’70s punk rock vibes, while everyone else is rocking designer this and that.