25 Style Risks Rappers Influenced Us to Try Out

Image via Complex Original

Who popularized it: Kanye West
When we were influenced:  2007

Ugh, this was just bad, guys. Back in '07, Kanye West was releasing his third studio album, Graduation, and dropping superb singles like Stronger and Can't Tell Me Nothing. During this big push, he brought out his newest fad, shutter shades, and unfortunately, people followed suit. 

Who popularized it: Jay Z
When we were influenced: 2003 

All it took was one song. One song. When "Change Clothes" dropped and the video was on everyone's television screen, we caught glimpse of a new style risk Hov the God decided to bless us with. His New Era fitted and "button up" look combined a normally business-y look with a hood favorite for what helped spur the "grown and sexy" movement that should make you want to vomit reading.

Who popularized it: Nelly
When we were influenced: 2002

The funny thing about the popularization of Nelly's band-aid usage is that its original intent was to cover a basketball injury. It grew into a silly, yet widespread accessory phenomenon that, though short-lived, gave the St. Louis native some stylish street cred he wasn't intentionally seeking.

Who popularized it: Paul Wall
When we were influenced: 2004

The South was the main player in the mainstream success of diamond-studded grills. Ask anyone who had the biggest hand in that and they'd say "Paul Wall, baby. What it do?" While he had the Internet goin' nuts, he was also lacin' his Houston brethren with grills, spurring the bandwagoning of other rappers and hip-hop fans who could afford 'em.

Who popularized it: Tyler, The Creator
When we were influenced: 2009 

Skate gear was not popularized by Tyler, The Creator. Skate gear was popularized in the young hip-hop community by Tyler, The Creator. In a world of all-black-everything, Timbs, and shades indoors, Tyler and his OFWGKTA crew's "IDGAF" style and attitude stemmed from their love of skating. And when you rock crazy tie-dye, tube socks, and Vans while screaming things that make suburban parents cover their ears, all of that resonates with the youth of today.

Who popularized it: Andre 3000
When we were influenced: 2003 

Though it may not be as popular as Kanye's or Pharrell's, Andre 3000's style transformation over the last decade has been incredible. It's had its ups and downs, but it has shown the full breadth of creativity the ATLien is capable of. Drawing inspiration from the black dandyism of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, 3 Stacks held no punches as he kept history intact down to his knickers, socks and wingtips. And the south latched on to history with him.

Who popularized it: Notorious B.I.G.
When we were influenced: 1994

"Livin' better now, Coogi sweater now," was a lyric that meant more than you know. Biggie equated his new favorite knit sweater to a better life, and why shouldn't he? The Australian brand's knits became a status symbol in the hood thanks to Biggie's affinity for them.

Who popularized it: Kanye West
When we were influenced: 2011 

Snapbacks are not a style risk. They've been around since damn near the beginning of hip-hop and are a style staple. But when you start throwing snakeskin accents on it and charging $400, then that changes things a bit. Don C's creations put a glistering light on hats that hadn't ever been seen before, especially when rappers like Ye and Jay sport them, forcing us to lust after them and forgoing a month's rent for one. 

Who popularized it: Cash Money
When we were influenced: 1997 

While by no means were they the first to rock the same gear together (there are plenty of predecessors in the rap game showcased affilitation via gear), but the way in which Cash Money's Hot Boyz did it was something that made fans want to copy. Whether it was red leather jackets, tall white tees, or no shirt at all, the Hot Boyz made sure they came through looking like a cohesive a unit—something many larger rap groups struggled with. Looking like an individual was tossed to the side to make room for crew love.

Who popularized it: Puffy Daddy & Notorious B.I.G.
When we were influenced: 1994 

Biggie made a huge transformation after "Ready to Die" dropped. Both his demeanor and style took huge strides into a don-like direction. He was much more calm and treated interactions like a mob boss. And what do you wear when you're a boss? Versace silks, duh. Him and Puff could be caught together rocking the silky shirts that had every wannabe don trading in their Rugby tops.

Their glamorization of the Italian fashion house has carried over into today with young bucks like Drake, A$AP Ferg, French Montana, and Migos carry the Versace torch into the new world of hip-hop.

Who popularized it: Wu-Tang
When we were influenced: 1992

Tommy Hilfiger. Polo and Polo Sport. Even the birth of Wu-Wear introduced Wu-Tang's affinity for bright-colored jackets to the world. While there are many things Wu has blessed us with, being a major proponent to the Ralph Lauren "Snow Beach" and Hilfiger jacket movements of the 90s, two brands that hadn't really marketed to the hood at all, was a big part of the bright and boisterous "streetwear" movement that completely took over a normally dark and drab style demeanor in the streets. 

Who popularized it: Tupac
When we were influenced: 1993

While he was constantly touting "Thug Life," Tupac had a way with style that was really anything but. In a good way, of course. Exhibit A; denim overalls, the ones we wore as a child because belts weren't our friends yet? Pac's "fuck it" attitude is the modern day equivalent to Cam'ron's pink movement. "I'm a thug and I'll rock shit I wanna rock," was his mindframe, which made hip-hop enthusiasts comfortable to do the same.

Who popularized it: Eminem
When we were influenced: 1999 

The signing of Eminem was met with much debate. Was he popular because he was good or because he was white? But all that talk went flying out the window as soon as he dropped one of the greatest debut albums of all time. While every race rocked with the foul-mouthed "trailer trash" from Detroit, Michigan, those signature blond locks had suburbanites across the country finding out whether blondes had more fun.

Who popularized it: Rakim
When we were influenced: 1985 

The story of Dapper Dan's Boutique in Harlem is one that cannot be left out when discussing hip-hop's stylish history. His customization of high-end fashion to give it more of a street edge was one that resonated with all of hip-hop, especially one of its head dogs: Rakim. That symbolism of luxury Rakim and his cohorts portrayed with Dapper Dan's kits were style risks because they were completely unheard of at the time. High-end fashion wasn't was it is today to hip-hop heads. And while Rakim's rhymes are frequently touted as pioneering hip-hop's domination, it's clear that his style needs similar recognition.

Who popularized it: Kanye West
When we were influenced: 2012 

Eddie Murphy killed the game in a red leather ensemble in his 1987 "Raw" set. Hell, we've seen leather pants just about every year since. But Kanye's re-interpretation of them, along with the leather shirt, was really something no one had ever fucked with. Fans of his style, including some unnamed rappers, took the style risk themselves and overdid it to a level that we hope not to see for a long time.

Who popularized it: Tupac, Juelz Santana
When we were influenced: 1992, 2001 

Two dominant eras for bandanas tied around the head; two completely different significances. Tupac's bandana propagated the life of a thug and an outlaw. It was a symbol of "don't fuck with me." Juelz Santana's version was much more style-conscious: It matched his outfit of the day, and he normally didn't tie it around his head but merely sat it upon the dome in the daintiest, yet coolest of ways. One thing is for sure; both appropriations had thugs, goons, mild-mannered suburbanites, and hip-hop enthusiasts alike taking the risk. 

Who popularized it: Fabolous
When we were influenced: 2001 

When F.A.B.O. stepped out in the royal and baby blue Los Angeles Lakers or the multi-colored mountain Denver Nuggets Mitchell & Ness jersey, hip-hop enthusiasts all over the country went to eBay or to their local sports shop to cop. Granted, they were running anywhere from $200-400 a pop and everyone wanted in on it, but to be caught without one was a tragedy.

Who popularized it: Notorious B.I.G.
When we were influenced: 1994

Sunglasses are normally seen as a necessity to, well, block out the sun. They've always been an accessory that can add or detract from an outfit. Though he didn't necessarily invent the trend, Biggie started rocking Versace sunglasses indoors all the time and people assumed it was merely for the stunt when it was really to detract from his wandering eye. His seemingly nonsensical style risk turned into a worldwide phenomenon on that is still a silly style staple today.

Who popularized it: Run DMC
When we were influenced: 1983 

Run DMC was revolutionary in just about every way thinkable. But their approach to style is one that may have the longest lasting effect. Paying homage to the B-Boys of the '80s and to those in prison with their Adidas tracksuits and laceless Adidas Superstars absolutely blew up and is still seen as one of the most iconic style risks a hip-hop act has ever taken.

Who popularized it: Pharrell
When we were influenced: 2004 

Skateboard P really put Bape on the map when he introduced its popular all-over camo print hoodies in the early 2000s. He popularized them so much that he built his own brand in BBC/Ice Cream off the strength. Ice cream cones, beepers and cigarettes became the new all-over print preference for hoodies and we ate that shit up.

Who popularized it: Cam'ron
When we were influenced: 2002 

Killa Cam's appreciation for the formerly feminine shade wasn't a gradual introduction. As he tends to do, Cam'ron went all-the-way-fuckin'-out with it. Pink tall tees. Pink bandanas. Pink furs. And of course, the infamous Pink Range Rover that looked like Laffy Taffy. Instantly, dudes that were wildin' on the block in fatigues and Timbs were wearing the same color as their sister and it was fucking cool.

Who popularized it: New Boyz
When we were influenced: 2009

Baggy jeans ruled hip-hop. The baggier the jeans the better. In hindsight, shit was absurd. It didn't seem like it was ever going to move towards a world of skinny "nut-huggers" that rock n' roll and punk owned. The New Boyz really revolutionized the outlook on skinny jeans with the youth of California following the "jerk" sect of hip-hop. Tight jeans that came in all types of colors went mainstream and were met with much praise and just as much, if not more, hate. But the same dudes who were wearing Akademiks jeans three sizes too big a year prior were now rocking the skinny jeans they couldn't fit their wallet in.

Who popularized it: A$AP Rocky
When we were influenced: 2011

It's hard to imagine one without the other nowadays because the line between high-end fashion and streetwear is pretty much gone. But a few years ago, it'd be tough to find someone mixing labels from the two then-separate worlds. A$AP Rocky came into the fold and, from a youthful perspective, fucked the game up. Mixing lofty high-end brands like 3.1 Phillip Lim or Balmain with streetwear brands like Bape or Black Scale, it was pulled off using a subtle mixture comprised of dark tones and good tailoring. This not only led rap fans to try the same, but it made brands re-think their entire direction.

Who popularized it: Snoop Dogg
When we were influenced: 1992

Gang relations in California were and still are no joke. Many have lost their lives or been incarcerated for the sake repping their squad. Snoop Dogg's fame in the early '90ss only shone light on this reality, and eventually put a mainstream spin on a very real problem. His affiliation with the Rollin' 20 Crips was proudly on display in videos and appearances, and fans began following suit. The glorification itself was a style risk, but its national spread to those with no gang affiliation whatsoever was a style risk of dire consequences in some streets.

Who popularized it: Thirstin Howll III, Kanye
When we were influenced: 1988, 2004 

Thirstin Howl III's infatuation with Ralph Lauren came full tilt in 1988 when a love-scorned female called him a "low life," which he flipped into a worldwide group of 'Lo lovers. And while his underground rap career has taken a backseat to it, Howl's influence on the Lo-Lifes has been substantial in the hip-hop community.

Fast forward 15 years and a Chicago-based rapper enters a throwback-jersey, tall-tee arena donning popped collars on pink Polos and Bear sweaters. And guess what? It stuck like glue and he would go on to lead a fashion revolution from then on.