Photo:Theo Wargo/Getty; Rich Fury/Getty
Theo Wargo/Getty; Rich Fury/Getty
Hip-hop may be known for its genre-defining beats and legends fromTupac ShakurtoJAY-Z, but the industry is also just as known for the iconic moments they’ve contributed to fashion history.
Starting with theSalt-N-Pepaand ending withDoja Cat, here are 16 iconic fashionable moments in hip-hop history.
01of 16Salt-N-Pepa in Their “Push It” Jackets in 1988Michael Ochs Archives/GettyIn what have now become iconic outfits, Salt-N-Pepa — a.k.a rappers Sandra “Pepa” Denton, Cheryl “Salt” James and DJ Spinderella — donned jackets emblazoned with phrases like “Idol Maker” and “Let There Be Music” and images like the comedy and tragedy masks and the Salt-N-Pepa logo for their “Push It” music video. The look has become synonymous with the girl group and continues to be recreated today, even as a Halloween costume.
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Salt-N-Pepa in Their “Push It” Jackets in 1988
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
In what have now become iconic outfits, Salt-N-Pepa — a.k.a rappers Sandra “Pepa” Denton, Cheryl “Salt” James and DJ Spinderella — donned jackets emblazoned with phrases like “Idol Maker” and “Let There Be Music” and images like the comedy and tragedy masks and the Salt-N-Pepa logo for their “Push It” music video. The look has become synonymous with the girl group and continues to be recreated today, even as a Halloween costume.
02of 16Queen Latifah in 1990Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/GettyQueen Latifahembraced her heritage from the beginning of her career, proudly donning a colorful kufi and a matching outfit with statement gold earrings. As one of the first trailblazing female rappers, she set the stage for many to come, even after she pivoted into a career in Hollywood.
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Queen Latifah in 1990
Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Queen Latifahembraced her heritage from the beginning of her career, proudly donning a colorful kufi and a matching outfit with statement gold earrings. As one of the first trailblazing female rappers, she set the stage for many to come, even after she pivoted into a career in Hollywood.
03of 16Tupac Shakur at Club USA in 1994Ron Galella Collection via GettyIn March 1994, six months before he was shot, Tupac enjoyed a night out at Club USA, one of New York City’s glitziest nightclubs at the time. The event was a party for the cowboy noir thrillerRed Rock Westso Tupac showed up in his best wild west attire. He wore his signature bandana — a look he came to be known for — and paired a brown leather vest with a plaid button-down and baggy jeans. For accessories, he went with a gold chain with a cross.
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Tupac Shakur at Club USA in 1994
Ron Galella Collection via Getty
In March 1994, six months before he was shot, Tupac enjoyed a night out at Club USA, one of New York City’s glitziest nightclubs at the time. The event was a party for the cowboy noir thrillerRed Rock Westso Tupac showed up in his best wild west attire. He wore his signature bandana — a look he came to be known for — and paired a brown leather vest with a plaid button-down and baggy jeans. For accessories, he went with a gold chain with a cross.
04of 16Missy Elliott at the Lilith Fair at Jones Beach in 1994Steve Eichner/GettyMissy Elliottperformed at the 1994 Lilith Fair — a music festival meant for women empowerment — in a black leather blow-up suit that came close to mimicking a garbage bag. Why? “I don’t know, cuz I’m Missy,” sheresponded to a fanwondering the same thing in 2019. Elliott rejected the hyper-sexualized costumes that were the norm for female stars and made the audience focus on her skills.
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Missy Elliott at the Lilith Fair at Jones Beach in 1994
Steve Eichner/Getty
Missy Elliottperformed at the 1994 Lilith Fair — a music festival meant for women empowerment — in a black leather blow-up suit that came close to mimicking a garbage bag. Why? “I don’t know, cuz I’m Missy,” sheresponded to a fanwondering the same thing in 2019. Elliott rejected the hyper-sexualized costumes that were the norm for female stars and made the audience focus on her skills.
05of 16The Notorious B.I.G. Outside His Mother’s House in Brooklyn in 1995Clarence Davis/NY Daily News Archive via GettyAs one of the most legendary hip-hop artists,Biggie Smallsmade waves in the fashion industry with his signature paperboy hats. In this moment from January 1995 — just two years before his death at 24 years old — Biggie is donning a leather jacket and a jersey while he rolls a cigar outside his mother’s home in Brooklyn, New York.
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The Notorious B.I.G. Outside His Mother’s House in Brooklyn in 1995
Clarence Davis/NY Daily News Archive via Getty
As one of the most legendary hip-hop artists,Biggie Smallsmade waves in the fashion industry with his signature paperboy hats. In this moment from January 1995 — just two years before his death at 24 years old — Biggie is donning a leather jacket and a jersey while he rolls a cigar outside his mother’s home in Brooklyn, New York.
06of 16Lauryn Hill in 1998Anthony Barboza/GettyOften recognized as one of the most influential people in hip-hop,Lauryn HillreleasedThe Miseducation of Lauryn Hillin 1998 and came out with accompanying promotion images, including this one. While a simple outfit with a purple vest sweater paired with a mesh skirt, strappy sandals and big hoops, Hill embraced late ’90s fashion — can’t forget the choker! — and showed the industry who she really is.
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Lauryn Hill in 1998
Anthony Barboza/Getty
Often recognized as one of the most influential people in hip-hop,Lauryn HillreleasedThe Miseducation of Lauryn Hillin 1998 and came out with accompanying promotion images, including this one. While a simple outfit with a purple vest sweater paired with a mesh skirt, strappy sandals and big hoops, Hill embraced late ’90s fashion — can’t forget the choker! — and showed the industry who she really is.
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Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
The girl group of the moment, the iconic TLC, showed up to the 1999 VMAs in matching outfits as they took home the Moonman for best group music video for their hit, “No Scrubs.” The threesome, comprised ofTionne “T-Boz” Watkins,Lisa “Left Eye” LopesandRozonda “Chilli” Thomas, had been showing up to award shows for years in matching looks and their black leather/mesh ensemble was no exception.
08of 16JAY-Z at the 15th Annual Soul Train Awards in 2001SGranitz/WireImageJAY-Z, né Shawn Carter, was making himself known in the fashion scene before he joined forces with wife Beyoncé as an It couple. He came to the 2001 Soul Train Awards dripped out in a denim jacket and plain white tee, both baggy and oversize, which came to be a marker of JAY-Z’s style in the early aughts.
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JAY-Z at the 15th Annual Soul Train Awards in 2001
SGranitz/WireImage
JAY-Z, né Shawn Carter, was making himself known in the fashion scene before he joined forces with wife Beyoncé as an It couple. He came to the 2001 Soul Train Awards dripped out in a denim jacket and plain white tee, both baggy and oversize, which came to be a marker of JAY-Z’s style in the early aughts.
09of 16Kanye West with the Drop Out Bear in 2004Theo Wargo/WireImageIn a now iconic image, a youngKanye Westposed with a bear mascot in a Ralph Lauren orange and blue striped polo shirt during hisCollege Dropoutalbum cover photo shoot. The bear, according toComplex,was not a premeditated plan but came to be iconic as West dressed up in the mascot’s costume for the album’s cover and his striped shirt with the green striped button-down shirt peeking out from underneath is now forever associated with this era. His elder daughter,North, evenrecreated the look during a recent Japan trip.
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Kanye West with the Drop Out Bear in 2004
Theo Wargo/WireImage
In a now iconic image, a youngKanye Westposed with a bear mascot in a Ralph Lauren orange and blue striped polo shirt during hisCollege Dropoutalbum cover photo shoot. The bear, according toComplex,was not a premeditated plan but came to be iconic as West dressed up in the mascot’s costume for the album’s cover and his striped shirt with the green striped button-down shirt peeking out from underneath is now forever associated with this era. His elder daughter,North, evenrecreated the look during a recent Japan trip.
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Nicki Minaj at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in 2012
Steve Granitz/WireImage
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Migos at the 2018 Met Gala
Taylor Jewell/Getty
12of 16Cardi B at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019Jon Kopaloff/GettyThe “WAP” rapper gave “Birth of Venus” energy on the red carpet at the 2019 Grammy Awards in her Mugler haute couture gown — which was later displayed in a museum. The dress made it appear as thoughCardi Bwere coming out of a shell, much like the myth of the goddess Venus, who was born from sea foam.
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Cardi B at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019
Jon Kopaloff/Getty
The “WAP” rapper gave “Birth of Venus” energy on the red carpet at the 2019 Grammy Awards in her Mugler haute couture gown — which was later displayed in a museum. The dress made it appear as thoughCardi Bwere coming out of a shell, much like the myth of the goddess Venus, who was born from sea foam.
13of 16Tyler, The Creator at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2020Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagicTyler, The Creatoris known for always doing something unique with his look and he delivered just that at the 2020 Grammy Awards. Showing up in a Golf Le Fleur bellhop cap and outfit, complete with white gloves and a suitcase, the rapper played the part on the red carpet, giving a very Wes Anderson-type of feel and bringing something new.
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Tyler, The Creator at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2020
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Tyler, The Creatoris known for always doing something unique with his look and he delivered just that at the 2020 Grammy Awards. Showing up in a Golf Le Fleur bellhop cap and outfit, complete with white gloves and a suitcase, the rapper played the part on the red carpet, giving a very Wes Anderson-type of feel and bringing something new.
14of 16A$AP Rocky at the 2021 Met GalaTheo Wargo/GettyA$AP Rocky, known in hip-hop as “Pretty Boy Flacko,” is often lauded for his fashion-forward outfits, in addition to his rapping skills. But his 2021 Met Gala look cemented him as a style icon, whether critics liked the look or not. The ERL quilt-cape got people talking and hopefully provided the rapper with a cozy feel for the night.
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A$AP Rocky at the 2021 Met Gala
Theo Wargo/Getty
A$AP Rocky, known in hip-hop as “Pretty Boy Flacko,” is often lauded for his fashion-forward outfits, in addition to his rapping skills. But his 2021 Met Gala look cemented him as a style icon, whether critics liked the look or not. The ERL quilt-cape got people talking and hopefully provided the rapper with a cozy feel for the night.
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Rihanna at the Fenty Beauty Universe Event in 2022
Rich Fury/Getty
16of 16Doja Cat at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 showJacopo Raule/GettyDoja Cat may have been an audience member at Schiaparelli haute couture spring summer 2023 show, but she was the center of attention in online discourse for her head-to-toe red outfit. TheWomansinger wascovered in red paintand wore 30,000 Swarovski crystals complete with boots that resembled “men’s toes,” as Doja CattoldVogue Franceas she got ready.
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Doja Cat at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show
Jacopo Raule/Getty
Doja Cat may have been an audience member at Schiaparelli haute couture spring summer 2023 show, but she was the center of attention in online discourse for her head-to-toe red outfit. TheWomansinger wascovered in red paintand wore 30,000 Swarovski crystals complete with boots that resembled “men’s toes,” as Doja CattoldVogue Franceas she got ready.
source: people.com
