VMAs – a Hip Hop Fashion History: 1990 vs. 2010

September 28th, 2010 | By Paul Andre

The VMAs – a Hip Hop Fashion History: 1990 vs. 2010

The keywords are MTV, VMAs, Hip Hop and fashion – what comes to mind first? No! You weren’t listening if you said GaGa’s meat dress; we’re talking Hip Hop. Now everyone’s going to remember Kanye West’s garish red suit from this year’s festivities, but just how far has the Hip Hop community come over the years in terms of dress sense? Well, through VMA attire alone, we’re able to track just how many transitions we’ve gone through. We’re gonna do it like this: 2010 vs. 1990. Twenty years on how things have come. Any objections? Right then. Let’s go!

No, we’re not a girly mag, so we’re not going to criticise things like Drizzy’s odd footwear choice. In fact, however, his choice of clothes are certainly a statement. Minus whatever’s going on with his feet, the formal direction has significance. If we flip back two decades to 1990 (right in the high of New Jack Swing) it was nothing to see someone like MC Hammer rocking a freaky, torn-out jumpsuit, Digital Underground in their funkdafied African-styled garments, or even for Flava Flav (ever the show-off) sporting nasty green PJs. There’s certainly been growth and maturity.

Although it may be down to the fact that Hip Hoppers no longer have to fight for attention (with it only being the second year when a ‘Best Rap Video’ was acknowledged in 1990) the streetwear has certainly developed. Far-detached from days when vibrant and colourful displays were necessary, things have been relaxed as of late.

In the times between Rap’s first VMA category (1989) and now, the ceremony has become much more of a respectable occasion. Early on, any shows of this sort were a chance of rappers to create situations, but it doesn’t seem as common any more (we’ll let Kanye and Lil’ Mama’s actions last year slide for now) as now Hip Hop is given the same recognition as pretty much all other genres. This seems to have had a significant impact on not only the antics of those involved, but the choice of attire. Loud, attention-grabbing garms aren’t really necessary anymore; tying right in with the overriding colour of the 2010 show – black.

Jay’s ‘All-black everything’ is still making a lasting impression since he dropped “D.O.A.” and set a dark mood upon the Hip Hop fashion world. Although colour was splashed about (see Trey Songz coloured leather jacket) black wiped the rest out in 2010. From the actual award show to the after-parties, Hip Hop was a black affair.

To those expected to, formal dress was chosen, but this year did feature the fair bit of authentic street apparel too. Yes, the varsity jacket is back in full-effect. It seems like all the big streetwear brands are dropping a range of them this fall and of course it was reflected here. Even Bieber rocked a personalised one. Other than this, you could catch Waka Flocka in the straight black tee (keeping things ‘A’ as usual), Lil’ Jon rocking a gold rope chain for Hip Hop nostalgic purposes and numerous stars not allowing themselves to be caught without a New Era fitted. As it wasn’t really until the early to mid-nineties and beyond when the West Coast ‘gangsta’ style become embedded in mainstream Hip Hop fashion permanently, these two years are respectively pre- and post-Gangsta Hip Hop fashion. Nonetheless, they still offer insight as to how the middling phase came about and how it subtly still remains a part of it today (such as the big boots). Resultantly, streetwear at the big awards shows is still not a thing of the past.

Extra bits:

1990 Host – Arsenio Hall. 2010 Host: Chelsea Handler.

Best Rap Video (1990): MC Hammer “U Can’t Touch This” over “The Humpty Dance” – Digital Underground, “Just a Friend” – Biz Markie, “Principal’s Office” – Young MC

Best Hip-Hop Video (2010): “Not Afraid” – Eminem over “Airplanes” – B.o.B, “Forever” – Drake, “On to the Next One” – Jay-Z, “Pursuit of Happiness” – Kid Cudi

Sources: MTV, ONTD, KanyeWest.us

Posted by: Chiino – Filthy Dripped

RELEASING JORDAN RETRO III’S (WHITE/CEMENT)

September 3rd, 2010 | By BAROQUE

Jordan is releasing one of the sickest colorways of the Jordan III’s white and cement. Hittin the stores early next year and most likely gonna sell out fast!! Keep the date of Jan 22nd locked to grab you a couple of pairs! Heat!!

New shirts from DURKL just arrived!

March 10th, 2008 | By Paul Andre

Come to the shop and check out DURKL’s latest tees. Technivision and Technicolor!

Breezy Excursion

February 18th, 2008 | By Paul Andre

Just in! Breezy Excursion is a streetwear tee company based out of San Jose, CA. Many of our designs are nostalgic memories that relate to 80’s babies. B.E. brings to the table some radical shirts that are made at low quantities. In order to keep our products exclusive and rare, we promise to only make 45-145 units of each shirt design we produce. After that, it’s dead stocked.

Be on the look out for a Filthy x Breezy callabo!

The History of Rap Music

February 13th, 2008 | By Paul Andre

Let’s take the time to learn a little more how the hip hop culture evolved. Before there was the fashion style, there was music.

Hip hop rose to popularity in New York in the late 70s during the height of popularity of the so-called block parties. DJs usually played funk and soul music and later on tried to play only the break beats of the songs. It became a hit among block partygoers and the rest is history, so they say.

One of the famous DJs at the time was DJ Kool Herc, who is widely regarded as the godfather of hiphop. Aside from DJ-ing, he also began collaborating with emcees to supply the words to the music. A lot more DJs followed suit including hip hop legend Grandmaster Flash and helped develop the genre into what it is today.

But what’s hip hop without the emcees? Now popularly known as rappers, they supply the words to the music not by singing them but by rhythmically speaking them along the beat. The themes in the lyrics are varied ranging from partying, sex, drugs and even political ones.

As the music evolved, so did the art of rapping. Freestyle rapping is one popular form wherein rappers spit out lyrics spontaneously. This is also popular with rapping duels wherein two rappers go head-to-head and try to top each other in coming up with the best rhyme.

What could be considered as hip hop music’s golden age was in the 1980s when the genre was just starting to become recognized. Groups such as Run DMC and Beastie Boys, as well as solo acts like LL Cool J helped boost the popularity of the music was then limited to block parties.

Member’s Only Jackets: Women

November 1st, 2007 | By Paul Andre

By popular demand we are now offering our retro Member’s Only jackets for women, online!

SOLD OUT!

Members Only Vintage Retro Jackets

October 15th, 2007 | By Paul Andre

We’re bringing it back old school with retro brand, Members Only! You’ve maybe seen you dad, mom, uncle wear ‘em back in the days, now it’s your turn! The fabulous 80′s are revived in the form of these super-fresh Members Only jacket. The coveted piece of fashion memorabilia is designed with a zip-front, snap closure at neckline, shoulder epaulets, rib knit cuffs and waist with contrast colored piping, front slash lower pockets and contrast colored piping along the arms. The cotton/poly jacket is lined in nylon with the MEMBERS ONLY logo on chest pocket. Get yours now in store! Available in men and women sizes.