‘I’m Best-Dressed Moving Forward’: Kendrick Lamar Makes His Case With ‘The Hillbillies’ Music Video

Martine Rose gets shown the most love in the video for “The Hillbillies,” which should come as no surprise considering he said working with her on looks for his Big Steppers store was a bucket list moment. This particular piece is from the English designer’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection. The distressed grey dad cap features “Barnsley” embroidered across the bill in red, a nod to the town in England. You may have seen this cap previously worn by the likes of Ye and Tremaine Emory. 

Sometimes nothing beats a classic logo T-shirt. Another Martine Rose piece prominently featured in “The Hillbillies” is a T-shirt from the designer’s collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger. We get a closeup of the orange and blue co-branding on the chest of the oversized white top at the 1:12 mark. It was released as part of a 35-piece capsule in November 2022.

Kendrick layered his Tommy Hilfiger x Martine Rose T-shirt with a cropped bomber jacket from the English designer. Her riff on the classic military outerwear comes complete with ruched sleeves, a traditional orange liner, and minimal Martine Rose branding on the right stomach pocket. 

No, these aren’t just some used Dickies. This is yet another piece from the mind of Martine Rose. No blue collar job, no problem. These double knees have come pre-splattered with colorful paint. Looking for a pair for yourself? The SSENSE sale section comes in clutch once again.

Everyone should have a good pair of loafers in their closet. But Kendrick isn’t just rocking some G.H. Bass Weejuns. Of course, he also goes to Martine Rose for his footwear. This pair sets itself apart from the traditional loafer with its bulbous toe shape and addition of the addition of brass D-ring hardware. If you’re currently trying to experiment a bit with your wardrobe, you can score a pair for $804.

Yes, it’s easy to get sidetracked by all of the Martine Rose that Kendrick wears in this video, but some of the more interesting pieces are the one-off from more lowkey designers. This cashmere knit vest from Textile General Store is a great example. The Boston-based studio crafts all of its piece by hand in small batches. Its other creations include crocheted hats, balaclavas, bucket bags, and even bikini tops. 

True to his new Compton Cowboy persona, Kendrick made sure to show off some high quality boots in this video. The brown python pair is from Washington DC designer Sunni Dixon’s Sunni Sunni. It features a 3-inch heel, squared toe, and retails at $940. 

Anyone staking their claim as “best dressed” can’t just stick to the well-known designers that everyone else is wearing. Kendrick is proving he isn’t just getting roped into the current trend cycles by rocking some more lowkey accessories from up-and-coming designers. This uncuffed beanie from from Idris Balogun’s Winnie New York is a perfect example. The tan headwear was part of Look 7 from the his Spring/Summer 2022 collection.

No, that army zip-up you saw Lamar wearing in the video wasn’t some random cop from a Goodwill in LA. The hoodie is actually from Satoshi Nakamoto, named after the pseudonym for the person who helped develop the first bitcoin. It features studs in the “ARMY” lettering, a grey hood and sleeves that contrast its cream torso, and “Satoshi Nakamoto” embroidered above the split kangaroo pouch in green cursive lettering.

ASAP Rocky isn’t the only big artist co-signing Japanese label Proleta Re Art right now. Kendrick completes his Compton Cowboy ensemble with a pair of custom upcycled jeans made in collaboration with fellow Japanese brand Vuja Dé. The pair has been reworked with patchwork on the knee and stitching around the hems and pockets. We’d have probably opted for some sweatpants to lounge on the private jet if we were given the opportunity, but we have to respect his commitment to the fit here. 

K-Dot in some Rick? While the choice may seem surprising, we don’t blame him for his outerwear choice on his trip to London. This cropped puffer jacket is certainly a statement piece considering its unique teal and red pattern. If that wasn’t enough, it also comes complete with a built-in puffer scarf. It can get chilly across the pond. Might as well be fashionable and functional.

Every Kendrick fan’s favorite fitted cap also made an appearance in “The Hillbillies.” Kendrick can be seen sporting a black pgLang Dodgers cap in certain shots. Hopefully, fans will have a chance to cop their own soon. Up to this point, they have been a friends and family exclusive. 

Even Kendrick couldn’t resist the temptation of the fashion internet’s favorite shoe, the Adidas Samba. Lamar can be seen dancing around in front of Dodgers Stadium in a pair of the classic indoor soccer sneakers. There isn’t a clear enough shot to determine if he just went with and O white and black pair or the more elusive Wales Bonner collab. But given his shoutout to the English designer in the song, we wouldn’t be surprised if it was the latter.