25 Black Style Icons You Should Know

February is Black History Month, and no matter how you spin it, there have been a lot of black people that have had a profound effect on personal style. You've got people like Miles Davis and Tupac Shakur who dressed and carried themselves in an iconic way, and you even have designers like Ozwald Boateng and Willi Smith who were noted for their success in the fashion industry.

We took a look at the style history of various artists, musicians, luminaries, and in general the coolest men to walk the planet to bring you the 25 Black Style Icons You Should Know.

Occupation: Rapper, Actor

Don't get it confused, his recent movie roles are a maturated million-dollar evolution for Ice Cube, but in his heyday as a member of militant rap group N.W.A., Ice Cube also influenced a generation with his monochromatic wardrobe. Crisp chinos, button-down flannels and black hoodies — his style was simple, Cali-gangster cool, but it made a statement. He also rocked throwback jerseys and snapback caps long before they were cool.

Occupation: NBA Player

Warning: Advanced level style, do not try this at home. There are some people on this list that you can mimic and make it into your own, Walt Frazier's style is not one of those people. His pattern mixing is masterful, some find it glaring, but the color matching was always on point. Taking animal patterns and pairing them with camo, plaids, paisley, is no easy feat, and that's why we give Walt props for his style choices.

Occupation: NBA Player

You would think that being 6'11 would relegate you to tall tee's and ill-fitting jeans, but not when you're Amare Stoudemire. He's a Vogue and GQ favorite, and he has a penchant for choosing the right items and styling them in the right way. His recent collaboration with designer Rachel Roy shows his enthusiasm and interest in taking a bigger role in fashion, and will no doubt influence his style. And it goes without saying, his sneaker game is on point.

Occupation: Rapper

A hip-hop pioneer and every jeweler's fantasy, Slick Rick, aka Slick Rick the Ruler, made wearing an eyepatch cool in the 1980s. That alone is a feat worth making this list. With his signature multi-layered gold chains, some emblazoned with diamonds, he kept his clothing simple to crisp white-tee's, button-downs, and the occasional adidas track suit. When you are wearing close to a million dollars of jewelry at a time, you don't really need to wear anything else. His style was so serious it even inspired another modern-day stylish rap icon: Yasiin Bey.

Occupation: Comedian, Actor

There are few comedians who have had a career as successful as Eddie Murphy. He's won Golden Globes, been nominated for Academy Awards, and had some great style along the way. The red, all-leather outfit that he wore during his stand-up performance, Delirious, is still talked about today, and with his upcoming red carpet appearances, you should keep your eyes open for some great style moments to come, not to mention that he ranked at number two of our list of the 25 Most Stylish Comedians.

Occupation: Singer-songwriter, actor

If you've ever watched Shaft and nodded your head to the background music, then you know Isaac Hayes. He was the third African-American person to win an Academy Award (thanks to 1972's iconic Shaft theme song), and became a cultural icon. His on stage looks were provocative and attention-getting, and he was an early adapter of the gold chain.

Occupation: Soul and Gospel Singer

Ask your mom and dad if you have no idea who Al Green is, but beware, they might take a swing at you for your ignorance. Green was the voice of his generation, and he was also the gym-spiration for his time because he was ripped. He also was not afraid to mix patterns, and wear prints, but you can pull anything off when 99.9% of your fans are screaming women.

Occupation: Singer, entertainer

The smooth criminal himself was no stranger to memorable style choices. In his 1983 music video "Thriller," Michael Jackson played the role of a love-struck zombie, who happened to be wearing one of the sickest leather jackets in fashion history. You might also remember the glitter encrusted glove he wore on stage: it has created some iconic images that few artists will be able to achieve in their time. Before his passing, Jackson was diving deeper into his love of fashion, he was seen wearing Givenchy designed by Riccardo Tisci.

Occupation: Rapper, producer, designer

The front man of N.E.R.D, recent Academy Awards musical director, and named 2005's Best Dressed Man in the World by Esquire magazine, Pharrell knows how to get just as much attention in a tux as he does in a white tee and jeans, and still look put together. His clothing line Billionaire Boys Club/Ice Cream is an international success, and his recent partnership in an eco-conscious fabric company, Bionic Yarn, shows that he is forward-thinking in everything he does.

Occupation: Rapper, writer, producer, actor

You probably remember his flamboyant outfits — or rather costumes — from his early days with OutKast, but Andre 3000 quickly became a style icon when he launched his successful clothing line Benjamin Bixby, for which he which was nominated by GQ's Best New Designers in America in 2009. He's not afraid to wear pink or rock a bow tie in the day-time, all the more reason we respect his swag.

Occupation: President of the United States

In 2008 Barack Obama changed American history with his victory in becoming the first black president of the United States. He and his wife Michelle, have been the subject of talk within the fashion world because of their style choices, good and bad — who can forget the dad-jeans debacle? As any well-dressed man knows, you can't win them all the time, but when President Obama brings his A-game, he does it well in suits that fit to perfection, and smart tie choices.

Occupation: Rap Group

With tracks like "My adidas," where the crew rocked head-to-toe adidas track suits, to their unabashed accessorizing with oversized gold chains, Run DMC, comprised of Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay, took hip-hop by storm in the 1980s. Oversized Cazal sunglasses and black fedora hats would be commonplace amongst the youth all over the country, and shell toe adidas would become a status symbol. Run DMC made their mark on music and their style is still influencing streetwear today.

Occupation: Singer-songwriter, producer, actor

His ex-wife is Lisa Bonet, and his daughter is Zoe Kravitz, and any guy that is linked with two of the hottest women around, has surely got a unique style worth noting. He went from locks to a short curly 'fro and women still threw their panties at him. He's won Grammys and MTV awards, and he's currently rocking a lot of Rick Owens in the streets, a perfect example of how taking style risks all your life pays off.

Occupation: Minister, Human Rights Activist

Controversy surrounds Malcolm X, a Muslim minister and black rights activist, who raised eyebrows with his powerful speeches. He mostly wore suits, but his signature horn-rim eyeglasses has seen a resurgence lately. He'd often accessorize with tie clips and watches, and of course everything fit him perfectly, without making it look like he put it too much effort.

Occupation: Composer, pianist

Eat your heart out menswear bloggers, Duke Ellington did the hat and houndstooth combo back in the 1940s. Known as one of the greatest composers ever, Ellington was music pioneer, and an arbiter of style. If you do a quick google search you'll see Duke wearing everything from double breasted blazers to wide-lapel tuxedos, pretty much laying the ground work for others of his time to figure out how to get dressed up.

Occupation: Musician

Making records go platinum, before wearing platinum was cool is no small feat, and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (for being a key figure in the history of jazz), would be all of reason to talk about Miles Davis, but his style was impeccable as well. Synonymous with "the birth of cool," Davis often wore suits to perform, and when he wasn't suited and booted, he was usually rocking a crisp button-down.

Occupation: Comedian, Actor, Writer

The Emmy-award winning, five-time Grammy recipient, and the most jaw-dropping and thought provoking comedian of our time made a lot of jokes, but his clothes were no laughing matter. No stranger to suits and ties, Pryor consistently looked like an Oscar Award winner no matter if he was playing a small club in the south, or a huge venue in Los Angeles. If you need proof watch his epic 1982 stand-up act Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip, and be pleasurably offended. Pryor also topped our list of The 25 Most Stylish Comedians.

Occupation: Political Activist, co-founder of the Black Panther Party

When you think of the Black Panthers, you might think of their uniform of sleek black clothing and signature berets, but one of their leaders had a slick sense of style. When he wore a suit it fit impeccably, tie knotted to perfection, all to fight against the establishment. Some may question his actions but one thing if for sure, the man could dress.

Occupation: Rapper, producer

Kanye is the epitome of what it means to be a style icon, hands down. When we first met him, he was rocking LRG, and in in the process of making his own line, Pastelle. Now, he's all Givenchy, Balmain, and Acne everything, and has his own runway collection. Evolution is the number one sign that a person has true style, and hate it or love it, Kanye continues to push boundaries and set trends.

Occupation: Musician, Actor

World-famous actor and entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., got his start on the stage doing Vaudville plays, and became a member of Frank Sinatra's "Rat Pack." He was in the original version of Ocean's 11, and during his career he'd been nominated for several Golden Globe and Emmy awards. Davis' style was sharp. He'd often wear white blazers, tuxedo jackets, bowties, and pocket squares, and in any image of him that you run across, he's always the best dressed man in the group.

Occupation: Actor, film director, author, diplomat

Poitier was the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lillies of the Field, so he knows a thing or two about looking like a star. If you ever want to know how to pull off a suit the right way, just look at vintage photos of this guy on the red cartpet instead of modern-day celebrities.

Occupation: Artist

From his early start as a graffiti artist, tagging up buildings all over Lower Manhattan as SAMO, Brooklyn-born Jean-Michel Basquiat not only had art in his mind, but he made an art form of the way he dressed. Whether he was wearing a graphic striped button-down shirt, or a slick tweed suit with a chambray shirt and skinny tie, Basquiat inspired a generation beyond his physical art. Basquiat was also noted for his array of unorthodox, creative hairstyle, which have been influencing young, urban-minded, artsy black males ever since.

Occupation: Guitarist, Singer-Songwriter

You may have heard of Jimi Hendrix — he's only one of the greatest guitarists in history. Anyone who has been the headliner at Woodstock sure has some style cards in his deck. His most iconic look was wearing a vintage band jacket — not only to perform, but in his day-to-day life. Take a close look at Jimi's style, you'll see that he has influenced one of our favorite rappers greatly.

Occupation: Novelist, poet, playwright

If you haven't read "Notes of a Native Son," or "No Name In The Street," it's time you educate yourself on the works of James Baldwin. He was known for asking the questions people didn't want to ask, and challenging the establishment of race, sexuality, and class in America — and doing it all in style.

Occupation: Singer-songwriter, musician

With a three-octave vocal range, and style to match, Marvin Gaye was a talent behind the mic and off stage. This Motown-signed Grammy award-winning musician's most coveted items were denim shirts, and knit beanies. He had so much swag that he wasn't afraid to embellish the shit out of a shirt, or show some man-cleavage.