Hip-hop's influence on all facets of culture is undeniable, but when it comes to fashion and self-expression, the artform has truly dominated. “My Adidas walk through concert doors and roam all over coliseum floors,” as D.M.C. proclaimed in 1986 on Run-D.M.C.’s “My Adidas.” Back then, the link between hip-hop and style was just hitting the mainstream, with kids all over the globe rocking the iconic shell toe sneakers that the legendary trio wore with such pride. Fast forward to 2023: One of hip-hop’s most iconic and influential artists and beatmakers, Pharrell Williams, has been named Louis Vuitton Men’s Creative Director.
The years that lie between “My Adidas'' and Pharrell taking the reins at Louis have seen countless collaborative movements, from LL Cool J popularizing the Kangol hat and sweatsuit, Biggie rocking the newsboy cap and Cooji sweater, and Missy Elliott rocking camo to Tyler, the Creator’s Golf Wang skate style. This connection has permeated iconic hip-hop tracks spanning decades. From Jay-Z and Pharrell’s “Change Clothes” and Nelly’s “Air Force Ones” to Lil Pump’s “Gucci Gang,” Lil Uzi Vert’s “Endless Fashion” with Nicki Minaj we’ll take you through “Killa Fashion”-inspired bangers as Fashion Week celebrations play out around the world, suit up.
LISTEN TO THE KILLA FASHION TRACKS PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
“Endless Fashion” by Lil Uzi Vert feat. Nicki Minaj
“Yes, I'm splashin' in fashion, I can't take no loss.”Burberry, Carhartt, Chanel, and Fendi are just a few of the brands Uzi and Nicki name-check as they give Eiffel 65’s “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” a stylish makeover.
“Isabel Marant” by Coi Leray
The red-hot rapper drops a fierce ode to French design icon Isabel Marant: “Walk in Christian Dior with Kenzo lows, red carpet, I'm casual Isabel Marant in Paris.”
“High Fashion” by Roddy Ricch feat. Mustard
Roddy collabs with Mustard to go “High Fashion” on this laid-back, throwback, R&B-inspired track, in which he takes inventory on high-end brands like Goyard, Patek, and Prada for his bae.
“NOSTYLIST” by Destroy Lonely
What you see is what you get, the Atlanta rapper Destroy Lonely effectively declares on this track. He doesn’t need a stylist to help him create his look: “I’m flyer than a pigeon” without one.
“Ric Flair Drip" by Offset and Metro Boomin
In the video for this instant classic, Offset wears a chain that bears the legendary wrestler’s image. Flair himself, of course, also appears in the video, which name-checks Balenciaga and Valentino boots.
“Versace” by Migos Feat. Drake
‘Versace, Versace, I love it, Versace the top of my Audi,” boasts Quavo on the Zaytoven produced banger from Migos. To amp things up further, Drake jumped on this remix and makes clear “we stay at the mansion when we in Miami,” living that high fashion lifestyle, all day.
“Chanel (Go Get It)” by Young Thug
Whatever Lola wants… “She want Chanel, go get it,” raps Young Thug. “She want this Fendi, go get it/She want a Birkin, go get it.”
“Gucci Gang” by Lil Pump
Lil Pump shot all the way to number three with this simple, chant like ode to one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands. It first debuted on his SoundCloud in the summer of 2017.
“RAF” by A$AP Mob
“Please don’t touch my RAF,” pleads A$AP Rocky on this joint collab with some of his most stylish peers. The song’s namesake, designer Raf Simons, “built a whole new religion around fashion,” as Rocky said.
“Shopping Spree” by Murda Beatz ft. Lil Pump & Sheck Wes
“When I go shopping I buy everything I see,” Lil Pump lets us know on this collab track. He’s got his eye on the Patek Philippe. You know what time it is.
“Tom Ford” by Jay-Z
“I don’t pop molly, I rock Tom Ford,” Hova declared on this status-affirming 2013 track. After Jay told the designer about the song that bears his name, Ford had to go to a rap translator online to understand it.
“Fashion Killa” by A$AP Rocky
Style and groove come together on Rocky’s ode to fashion royalty. “She be busy poppin’ tags/She got a lot of Prada/That Dolce and Gabbana,” boasts Rocky about he and Ri’s trendsetting top-shelf taste and wardrobe of course.
"New Patek” by Lil Uzi Vert
“Your girlfriend like my drip,” Uzi taunts. It’s the white diamonds on his wristwatch, but not just the bling: “Burberry pants, I got Burberry tennis shoes/I got the swag that probably, um, will finish you.”
“True Religion Fein" by Chief Keef f/ Yale Lucciani
The young woman Chief Keef is eyeing prefers a certain brand of jeans. Featured artist Yale Lucciani points out that they’re rather pricey for an NPC like you: “3 hunnit for pants/ You don’t stand a chance.”
“Fashion Week” by Wale feat. G-Eazy
For Wale, apparently, every night out is a visit to Fashion Week: “You should model, girl/Who do your booking?”
“Met Gala” by Gucci Mane ft. Offset
If you were pulling down a “mil in a week,” you’d probably be buying “a iced-out Philippe,” too. That’s how Offset kicks off his guest spot on this Gucci track from 2017, about hitting the Met Gala in style.
“Air Force Ones” by Nelly feat. Kyjuan, Ali, and Murphy Lee
Two decades later, Nelly still gets asked about Nike’s classic basketball shoe. “I like the all-white, high-top strap with the gum bottom,” he explains. And that last guy who messed with his? “Damn near shot ‘em.”
"Louis Vuitton" by Soulja Boy
“Everybody know that the kid’s gettin’ paid though,” Soulja rapped when he first dropped this mission statement. “I have to be presentable for my fans,” as he told the New York Post’s Page Six last year.
"BBC" by Jay-Z f/ Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Nas, Pharrell, Timbaland, and Swizz Beatz
“RIP to Gianni,” Jay repeats on the chorus to this all-star track from 2013. That would be Gianni Versace, who didn’t live long enough to see Hova and Queen Bey attend his brand’s ‘08 Fall/Winter show in Milan.
"Crooks & Castles" by Max B
Going back to 2008, the Harlem rapper paid tribute to the streetwise luxury brand that took its name from a certain truism: “Behind every castle, there’s always a crook.”
"Coogi" by OJ Da Juiceman
In a nod of sorts to the late, great Notorious B.I.G., Atlanta’s Juiceman saluted Biggie’s sweater brand of choice on this signature track: “I’m fresher than a mannequin/Outfit extravagant.”
“My Adidas” by Run-D.M.C.
“My Adidas and me as close can be/We make a mean team, my Adidas and me,” D.M.C. rapped back when – early proof that hip-hop sold product. Brand officers across the fashion world certainly took note.
“Change Clothes” by Jay-Z feat. Pharrell
The lead track from Jay-Z’s 2003 “The Black Album,” “Change Clothes” has an extra leg up in the style department: It was produced by the Neptunes, led by Pharrell. “You know I stay fresh to death,” Jay vows.
LISTEN TO THE KILLA FASHION TRACKS PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
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