The R&B Hip-Hop Influence

These past two weeks have been huge for the music industry, with notable artists such as Drake, 21 Savage, Joji, and Rihanna releasing new music. Having both a love for music and fashion, the R&B/Hip-hop industry has truly been a major influence on my personal style. Most importantly, the 2000s era of the music industry, popularly referred to as the Y2K era, heavily influences today’s fashion trends. Let’s jump into the historical and cultural icons who continue to influence many individuals to this day.

90s: Tupac and Aaliyah

You might have seen this iconic duo on graphic tees, posters, etc. They can easily be referred to as the blueprint of street fashion that is seen today. Tupac proved himself to be the original hip-hop fashion icon as Aaliyah has been called the R&B princess of the ’90s as we see their fashion mimicked in today’s culture with the popularity of baggy jeans, pants, and oversized sweaters.

This era included a lot of mainstream brand names, with logos printed as bold and large as they could; brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Dickies were all notorious for doing so. Denim is another material that was often in use, even layered or matching.

00s: Destiny’s Child and Nelly

I recall this era as the prime time of Y2K. Straying away from the bold brand prints, most fashion trends included everything baggy, bright, and sparkly. Destiny’s Child always coordinated their outfits and pulled off every look they wore.

Dating back to Nelly and Kelly’s “Dilemma” release, this sparked athleisure wear in street style. From the iconic headbands to the oversized jerseys; a special mention goes to my dad who kept his stash of gear from this era.

Present Day: Tyler the Creator and A$AP Rocky

Tyler the Creator and A$AP Rocky both set the bar for their modern take on streetwear as they each incorporate their individuality into their looks. A$AP pays tribute to both the 90s/00s era while adding sophistication to his outfits. Tyler’s release of his brand, GOLF, in 2011 created a new aesthetic integrating soft and pastel colour tones.

A special mention goes out to Silk Sonic and Bruno Mars who dedicate their style to the 70’s jazz look. Kali Uchis who has been featured in music alongside Daniel Caesar, Tyler, Don Toliver, as well as being a solo artist, proves herself as a fashion icon incorporating a modern Y2K take in her looks.

It is apparent throughout the years that the music industry plays a large role in influencing not only artists music but also their style. Having the opportunity to express my love for music in my style is truly something I look forward to continuing experimenting with and exploring.