I'm currently writing a dissertation on the concept of Afro-American identity reflected through hip hop style and fashion. I'm interested in how, since its begginings, hip hop style has evolved from a very organic, urban, homegrown street style to being about opulent excess and luxury branding - and crucially the cultural processes that have provoked this.

I'd love to hear any comments / opinions / disagreements on this matter,
Do you think hip hop style has changed over the years? How / why? Where can you see it evolving to in the future? How do you use fashion and style to reflect your identity / beliefs?

Thanks! x

Sweetie u really wanna shed light on hip hop n r n b, u need ta really look back in time at how it all really started! It really did not get prominent or noticed until 60's/70's, but before then Sammy Davis n very few othas become legends throughout history with minimal TV shows that aired for a few minutes n lasted only a few weeks at a time!

These started as early as the 30's and when discrimination was extremely high and we still lived under the laws of segregation!

However, real style, per say developed in the 60's and r n b really began to become popular. It did however, die out again thru late 70's n 80's but took off going into the 90's! Not only did it take off on it's own, but it also took off in the dominant world of rock legends thanks to Areosmith and other groups bringing in Run DMC, etc into their music!

Dr. Dre (NWA), Too Short, etc. began the legend of controversy! It was their lyrics that gained the attention of political figures all over the world with how they referenced to women, life, politics, laws, etc. Their words were foul, vulgar, rude, sexually explicit n beyond anything that had ever been presented from a label! This opened the doors for lyrics from such groups as Color Me Badd with I wanna Sex U Up and paved the way for much more revealing clothing to be worn, independence in speech, etc.

The liberated woman these days is being claimed to have been developed by many avenues, however, if u really observe, this did not happen until this time frame! Even throughout disco and vietnam, the woman was still very submissive, covered up, etc. So you can really see the impact that this has had on our culture, as well as cultures world wide!

In the UK rap/hip hop are also very prominent! It is everywhere! Talents are at all time highs, incredible at the mic, on paper, on the screen and off! Everywhere! These legends are being copied from their clothes to their individual style! All walks are involved from str8 thugs n gangs to the wealthiest of individuals in society worldwide!

Hope this info helps n good luck on it!

Hip-Hop's culture isn't expressed through fashion... The fashion companys are actually controlling how some people proceve hip-hop... and not just music... for example you have these kids sporting ecko t's because they think graffiti is "hip"... but in reality, there are few kids who actually know somebody else writes (if the writer has kept the secret well), aside from other artists... its a close-knit society, and these companies are bringing it to mainstream thought... thats why graffiti in a lot of areas is dying in my opinion...

But moving on to other aspects... the major force that determines the state of fashion and hip-hop is MTV... whatever MTV plays, thats the new shit... You have rappers driving BMW's and wearing leather jackets, thats what the young black male procieves as "cool" or "fly"... What happened to the blank hoodie and striped adidas kicks? 50 Cent and Mannie Fresh... Who cares what you wear, as long as you have the skill to back up your rep... But now its unaceptable to be raw skill... you need glamor

I don't think fashion is a bad thing... but I don't think its right to market such brands as "Sean Jean" "RocaWear" and "Vokal" to black urban society when the price tag $50 per shirt...

Just my feelings...