Hip hop hats are a key accessory in hip hop culture, with LL Cool J’s Kangol bucket hat being a major influence. Kente cloth hats and baseball caps also became popular in the 90s, along with prison-style durags. Hip hop fashion continues to evolve with individual expression and customization.
Hip hop hats are one of the most recognizable hip hop accessories, referring to various types of headwear that have become synonymous with hip hop culture and fashion. Hip hop has its roots in the 1980s, and from the very beginning the hat was an important part of completing a rapper’s persona. Although many hip hop artists helped influence hip hop style, legendary rapper LL Cool J has undoubtedly been the biggest early influence on the type of hip hop hats worn. In the 1980s, the teen rapper was just starting his career and could often be seen wearing Bermuda Casual bucket hats created by Kangol, a UK-based headwear designer, in his videos and stage performances. .
Regular bucket hats featured a wide, downward sloping brim. However, the Bermuda Casual Bucket Hat had a more structured bell-shaped design. This small difference gave the hat a more polished and fresh look that quickly helped establish Kangol as a favorite brand for hip hop fans and musicians.
Early hip hop was also influenced by black nationalism. As the young artists examined black culture and the black condition, they began to wear clothing that reflected their African roots, including Kente cloth hats. Kente cloth is an African textile in a range of patterns and bright colors created by weaving several strips of silk cloth. The bright, soulful headwear of hip hop was often paired with colors that reflected Africa, such as red and green.
In the 1990s, hip hop music became mainstream, and various styles emerged reflecting different regions of the US and different influences, from gangsta rap to street fashion. In the mid-decade, for example, some rappers were inspired by 1930s mob looks and could be seen wearing other men’s hats and dress hats. Among the most popular styles in hip hop hats to emerge in the 1990s was the baseball cap. These soft caps featured long, stiff brims and were worn in bright fluorescent colors. Often the cap was worn backwards or to the side to show a cheeky or confident attitude.
With some rappers having prison connections, the prison style also had an impact on rap in the 1990s. Durags, transparent cloth coverings that can be worn to protect hair, were adopted from the subculture of the prison. They would often be worn under hip hop caps.
Following the success of rap music in the 1990s, streetwear designers began creating clothing, hats, and sunglasses associated with hip hop fashion. Influential rappers of the time also began creating their own fashion lines and putting their own spin on hip hop headwear offerings, a trend that has continued into the new millennium. Hip hop music has always emphasized individual expression, and as of 2011, hip hop artists and fans continue to rock various headwear styles that reflect their own personal taste. Vintage and vintage-style Kangol hats, for example, have continued to be a trend. Hat customization has also become extremely popular among hip hop stars and fans. These hip hop caps are available in a variety of color combinations and can feature sports team logos, comic book characters, and bold graphics.
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