A History of Kanye West's Style Inspirations

Yeezy takes style cues from some unexpected places.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Yeezus is finally here, and Kanye West has once again made his indelible mark on music, art, and style, as he does every time he releases new work. He also just had a kid with his maybe-wife-to-be Kim Kardashian. What a month this guy is having. He gets a lot of credit—deservedly so. He gives himself a lot of credit, too. Can't blame him for that, but we can consider the influences, whether he knows it or not, that have help guide him along the way.

'Ye is in a class of his own these days, a true pioneer sonically and stylistically, but without some of these surprising predecessors, his fashions choices might have been quite a bit different. Brace yourself, and meet some of the trendsetters who paved the way for Yeezy. Check out a History of Kanye West's Style Inspirations.

RELATED: How Men's Style Would Be Different Without Kanye West 
RELATED: The 15 Stages of Kanye West's Style

Lo-Lifes

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Boyz II Men

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Diddy

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Michael Jackson "Thriller" Album Cover

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Don Draper

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Keith Haring

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Al Pacino as Tony Montana in Scarface

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John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever

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Michael Jackson

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Peewee Herman

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The Beatles

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Richard Pryor

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Michael Jackson in "Billie Jean"

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Eddie Murphy

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Tupac

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Justin Timberlake

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Kurt Cobain

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Maximus from Gladiator

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Rambo

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The Human Spider

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Owls of Ga'Hoole

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Zao From Die Another Day

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Cobra Kai from Karate Kid

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Jon Snow From Game of Thrones

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Melle Mel

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Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver

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