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A founding member of grime collective Boy Better Know, Skepta is a big name in the scene. But the Tottenham native isn't just about the music—he's had some iconic style moments, too, and has been extremely vocal about why fashion plays such an important part in his life. "I've been into clothes since I was a kid," said Skepta in a recent interview with Dazed, "going to garage raves and seeing all the Tottenham gangsters wearing Moschino and Versace; I just always had a passion for it."
Ahead of Boy Better Know's defense of their reigning champion status at the Red Bull Culture Clash tomorrow, we've compiled a list of the MC's best style moments.
When Everyone in London Called Trapper Hats, Skepta Hats.
The originator.
When He Had an "Ed Hardy Party"
Skepta was a really, really big fan of Ed Hardy back in the day. He even wrote a song about it:
I've got some dumb Ed Hardy jeans actually
Dumb Ed Hardy belts actually
Dumb Ed Hardy shades actually
My bedroom's like an Ed Hardy factory
Some dumb Ed Hardy creps
Walking with a dumb Ed Hardy what?
I've got so much Ed Hardy clothes I could open my own Ed Hardy shop
When He Called Out High Fashion For Ignoring Their Secondary Demographic
Skepta had a lot to tell Dazed & Confused about the way high fashion reacts to the urban demographic:
"I stopped wearing all that a little while ago. I just think that nowadays in the streets, loads of people are robbing each other and killing each other to keep up with rappers and everybody that’s got money. They think that buying Gucci and Louis and standing on their council estate with like £2 in their pocket and a £300 Gucci bag means that they are on a level. But when you look at the Gucci and Louis campaigns, they never pull no street guys, when it’s probably street guys and lap dancers that buy the most Louis and Gucci anyway! They’re keeping Gucci going, but they just ignore our culture and act like we don’t exist, so I threw that out there to say fuck them."
When He Beat Everyone to Loving Moschino Again
Skepta wore Moschino in the video for "Castles" in 2012. That's a good year-and-a-half he had on all of us.
When He Joined Forces With Nasir Mazhar
Skepta walked as part of Nasir Mazhar's London Collections: Men SS15 show. Mazhar is one of the designers leading London's fashion new wave, introducing the London culture they grew up with to the fashion masses. Tracksuit bottoms are their fashion, and Skepta has been reppin' Nasir as hard as Nasir has been reppin' his London roots.
When He Became Supreme's Favourite Grime MC
Supreme's skate/streetwear aesthetic is a style that Skepta has really warmed to, and the New York brand even had him perform at the after-party for their full-length skate film, Cherry, at the London premiere in 2014.
When He Styled Everybody in This Wiley Video Perfectly
Skepta took charge of the styling for Wiley's "On A Level" video and did a sterling job. Nasir Mazhar, Billionaire Boys Club, Off-White, Cav Empt, and Nike are all represented; everyone is dressed perfectly.
