Until recently, leopard print was mostly restricted to your mom’s hot, divorced friend, but apparently the safari look is in style now in the millionaire-rapper circle. First Kanye sported a leopard print jacket and then Drake followed by taking to the stage a few times in jungle-cat style and kept pushing it until he was caught in zebra print. Finally, Lil’ Wayne took the stage at the VMA’s in the worst thing that has happened to hip hop since Auto-Tune: A pair of leopard print leggings. Now it’s just a race to tiger print.

Maybe he was celebrating his Scottish heritage or maybe he was just a little too blunted to find the leg holes in any of his pants, but Kid Cudi wearing a kilt is one trend that’s certain to not catch on. Maybe his next hit will feature some bagpipes.

Despite the fact that this suit was covering up his costume for a tribute to Michael Jackson at this year’s BET awards, there’s no redeeming this. The bulging shoulders and knees are reminiscent of Frankenstein’s monster, but apparently no amount of monstrous behavior will get the villagers to run Breezy out of town.

Lauryn Hill usually has a pretty on-point style, but last year at Rock the Bells, L Boogie showed up in some sort of stapled-up garbage bag resembling bat wings. Maybe she was summoned by a signal in the sky to restore some respect for female MCs, but she was probably just too late to find real clothes.

Although he’s about fifty in rapper-years, there’s no call for 50 Cent to start dressing like Redd Foxx just yet. Maybe it’s because he was at the premier of the geriatric comedy Red, or maybe it’s an unofficial announcement of his retirement from the rap game, there’s no doubt the Fitty has peddled as much junk as Fred Sanford.

With all of these lines vying for attention (and dollars) from consumers, the selection for streetwear fans can become a burdensome process. That’s why we looked high and low to find the brands that not only put out the best lines, but also showcased them with the most style. Our list of the 10 best Fall lookbooks is your guide to this season’s freshest streetwear.

11. Lifted Research Group (LRG)

The ten-thousand-pound gorilla of the independent streetwear scene, Lifted Research’s new Fall line sticks to the tenants that have made them successful all along. Despite the recent and tragic passing of one of the brands co-founders (RIP Jonas), the label moves forward with a basic-but-not-too-basic line-up of Fall essentials. Encapsulated in a stylish and interesting video, LRG’s Fall 2011 lookbook definitely scores big points.

Price: $24.00 – $84.00
Buy: LRG Online Store

LRG Fall 2011 from LRG on Vimeo.

10. Butter Goods

Although their collection is fairly basic over all, we have to show love to a brand that represents Wu-Tang. Protect Ya Neck with the Butter Goods Fall 2011 line.

Price: $59.95 (AU) – $109.95 (AU)
Buy: Butter Goods online

9. Supreme

Supreme is one of the freshest brands on the market. Blending urban streetwear with refined style, their newest offering is one of the dopest line ups that works both on the streets at the workplace.

Price: $28.00 – $140.00
Buy: HUF Worldwide Online Store

8. Black Apple NY

Inspired by the economic downturn that hit New York in 1977, the fairly-new imprint offers a strong collection of new clothing and a lookbook that works as a visual tour of the city’s various different districts.

Price: $35.00 – $170.00
Buy: Black Apple Online Store

7. HUF

HUF’s new lineup is heavily influenced by skate and street culture but also features a lot of extra-fresh fabrics and color combos. With a full line spanning everything from tees to outwear, it wouldn’t be hard to outfit a whole wardrobe from their catalog.

Price: $28.00 – $140.00
Buy: HUF Worldwide Online Store

First, for Fashion Friday, we’d like to highlight one of many Japan relief projects that are currently under way. This collaboration, between fragment design and Stussy, using classic Stussy t-shirt styling with a message of unity and peace.

Retail: $36.00 | Pre-Order: Stussy.com

Nike SB Dunk Premium (Grit Black/Fossil)

A fresh colorway on these Nike SB Dunk Premiums. They’re currently available at the Primitive shop in Encino.

Here’s what Freshnessmag.com has to say:

Its appearance doesn’t do it justice, but this Nike SB Dunk High Premium is base on the newly introduced Dunk SB silhouette. Built from the outside in, the design team at Nike Skateboarding first created a new outsole for better grip. Next, it was all about comfort and lots of it. Alteration of fit to prevent heel slippage, injected Phylon midsole to increase cushioning, and in case that wasn’t enough, Zoom Air unit on the heel and poron on the forefoot to further reduce impact.

OriginalFake Gingham “X” Shirt

Get your Sabzi on with these new checkered button-ups from OriginalFake.

Retail: $95.00 | Cop: Head-porter.org

RAW x Cormega – The Realness Collection

Something for the skateboarders and the ‘Mega heads. The hip hop legend teams up with RAW company to produce his very own skate deck, along with a fitted and some t-shirts.

Retail: $55.00 (deck) | Cop: RAW Store

Marvel x Stussy

This one’s a bit of a mystery, but it’s almost certain to be promising. The legendary clothing brand, Stussy, recently teased at the fact that they’ll be collaborating with Marvel Comics for an upcoming line. No details are out yet, but we’ll stay on top of the news as it comes forward.

Wu-Tang was not only one of the best groups of the 90s, providing a launching pad to a few of hip hops biggest stars, but the nine-piece group has become a cultural icon. From the infamous “W” logo to the well-recited “C.R.E.A.M” motto, the Wu has had as widespread effect as many artists can ask for.  19 years after the groups assembly, their legacy is being enshrined (once again) by a well known streetwear brand, Rocksmith Tokyo.

The group recently collaborated with Rocksmith to unveil an entire line-up of new Wu gear. The line includes a few tees, honoring both the entire group, as well as Ghostface Killah individually, a sweatshirt in three colorways and a beanie that comes in both gray and red.

The t-shirts and beanie can be found at DrJays.com, while the hoodie is over on Digital Gravel.

“What time is it?” Me: *looks at phone*.  We all do this, don’t act pretentious and say you don’t.  Just because 90% of this generation cannot read an analog watch, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear one.  A watch is one of the most noticeable accessories that you can wear.  And while G-Shock watches are good on occasion (I wear one frequently), there are plenty of days that call for a more fashionable timepiece. This week Hanhart, located in Germany, previewed their Primus Chonograph Collection, a stylish watch that comes with either calf skin or rubber strap.  Step up your game and become an adult, it’s time to wear a watch.

Source: HB

Phones are a part of fashion.  They have been since Zack Morris was rocking the brick at Bayside High.  Ever since the iPhone was released, there have been thousands (maybe millions?) of phone cases released to make the trendiest phone even trendier. Austrian company Hard Graft is a must-see brand when looking for a case, bringing wool into play.  The Pocket iPhone Case puts two needs into one produce, delivering a wool phone case with a built in card/cash holder.  If you are always carrying your phone, why not keep your cash in hand too?

Source: HG

Dear rappers, put away the damn Jansport. They suck. To all backpack rappers, or those who understand they should quit and go back to school, get a clean backpack such as the new FUCT SSDD A-3 Backpack, which comes in both khaki and black.  This backpack isn’t bold and won’t make a huge statement, but it shouldn’t. Instead it will go with anything you wear and separate you from most of your peers. Keep watch for this product to release in May.

Source: HS

The final piece to putting everything together is the shoes.  To quote a famous commercial, “its gotta be the shoes”. This week Nike showed off another color of their Zoom Huarache Trainer.  If you’re going to wear bright shoes, they better be nice, and these are.

Source: HB

It’s tough to find a brand that is fully dedicated to hip hop without bordering on being corny.  New York brand ChiefRocka Industries has found the perfect niche, creating products that represent the past and present of the culture in a fashionable manner.  From their “Absolut Classics” shirt, which features a stack of tapes that embody the majority of classic hip hop, to their special edition “Premo’s” shirt, in honor of the one and only DJ Premier, ChiefRocka is worth checking out for any hip hop head.

Head over to their online shop and check out a hip hop brand that is honoring the culture in the right way.

Jordan III

With spring approaching, its time to get your footwear game up.  Check out a few of these and don’t be left hating your life.

There were a lot of shoe previews that came out this week, but if you’re like me, there is one in particular that deserves focus this week.  The Jordan 3 in the white/cement colorway is more than the average sneaker, it’s iconic. Dave White dedicated art to this sneaker.  The elephant print became a must-have trend. Get in line this Saturday outside of select retailers, and make sure you get your hands on a pair of these, which will once again be packaged in the elephant print box.

(via HB)

Bread & Butter

Bread & Butter announced a release from their “Sport & Street” team, a collaborative release with Clae for the Bread & Butter trade show that began yesterday in Berlin. The product, which will be released next week, uses Clae’s Romare Hi design combined with the B&B “Sport & Street” theme, “Winter Village”.  In addition to the shoe, the company will also release a matching fitted hat with New Era, which has brown earflaps on each side to carry the theme.  These sneakers are extremely clean, but good luck getting your hands on a pair.  The company will only sell 10 of the 100 pairs. This news also came one day after Clae previewed their Spring/Summer line.

(via HS)

Black History Month

This week Nike released images of their 2011 Black History Month pack, bringing sneakers connected with some of the most prolific African-American basketball players, MJ, Kobe and Dr. J.  While it makes me sick to my stomach that Nike’s conglomerate consumed the history of Converse and is now spewing out the remains, the package is a good tribute to American icons.  It includes an Air Force 1, a Nike Zoom Kobe VI, an Air Jordan 3 and a Converse Star Player Evo. Each is completely black with gold lettering and symbols, but has yet to receive a release date.

(via NK)

Cheaper Kicks

If these limited editions aren’t in your budget, or within access, here are two more affordable and available options:

Vans will be releasing their Vault Chukka Boot 69 LX this spring in three colorways, Red/Sudan Brown, Black/Sudan Brown, and Insignia Blue/Sudan Brown.  These will be available at Vans retail stores and Vans accounts.

Nike showed off their Dunk Hi Premium, “Medium Gray”, a denim sneaker that isn’t flashy, but goes with most jean options.

(via NK)

It’s really a shame, but, as the saying goes, fool me once, shame on me; fool me twice, I’ll hate you rappers more than Pack FM.

Luckily for us internet types, the track is usually pretty good. It’s just every once in a while, listening to that track makes you feel like more of a dumbass than an English goalie staring at what should have been an easy save (Team USA!). That’s the power of aesthetics – the ability for first impressions to shape actions. While it may lead to more regrettable mouse clicks than porn pop-ups in the office, fashion’s role in hip hop is actually changing an entire dynamic. It’s role in judging an artist has gone from defining factor to petty insignificance – and that change is opening up hip hop as a culture and returning the music to the common man.

Fashion has always been a part of hip hop, as Seattle emcee J.Pinder explains “Hip hop is fashion, overall hip hop was a statement, people expressing themselves, and fashion is the biggest way for people to express themselves non-verbally.” From baggy jeans to FUBU, clocks to big chains, and Nikes to Supras, rappers have long been the trendsetters for kids across the globe. According to J.Pinder, “hip hop is one of the leading pace makers in all genres of music, it is the most mainstream genre, so it sets a lot of the trends.” It’s also been one of the ways that rappers have employed successful marketing and become entrepreneurs.

But, when the internet became such a prominent player in the music game, this effect was amplified, and with it came a sense of precaution. The importance of pictures plastered above a download link initially became more prevalent, and in many cases it allowed artists to compensate for their lack of talent with their hip fashion sense. TH, an MC from the Seattle group State of the Artist (SOTA) says, “It’s fucked up because the clothing will start making the rapper, and the rapper won’t make the clothing.”

In following the music blogs, there are dozens, even hundreds, of songs posted daily. With this many songs available and the growing skepticism of blog visitors, tracks from quality artists used to get skipped over while artists who have attempted to make a name for themselves with their fashion rather than their talent continued to pollute the pages.

Although these overcompensating artists began to receive undeserved opportunities, the importance of fashion for an artist’s success began to regress as readers became more savvy. While the mold of what is “cool” in hip hop will always remain, the “cool” people are no longer the only one’s getting plays. The past decade has opened the door for absolutely anyone to be a rapper, regardless of race or appearance, as emcee Hyphen8ed (SOTA) says, “Kids aren’t discouraged anymore, you can walk down the street, and have no idea who’s a rapper.” Artists like Outasight and Travie McCoy have become successful in hip hop, despite appearances defined by high fashion and even looks more becoming of rockers or skaters than rappers. An artist wearing cargo shorts and an old shabby sweatshirt is just as likely to have an on-point flow as a guy wearing Louis Vuitton and a giant chain.

Ten years ago, no one would have listened to (one of Seattle’s most well-known emcees) Grynch, if they saw his picture on a blog, but they also would have missed out on a promising young west coast artist just because he wasn’t rocking a chain or streetwear. With this change, hip hop has found growth that’s given it a larger crop of talent than a Hugh Heffner party.

Fashion has also created cross-promotional marketing opportunities for artists. One of the biggest streetwear brands, Lifted Research Group (LRG), has presented mixtapes with a variety of up-and-coming artists, including one that helped fuel the rise of now-superstar B.o.B. The mixtapes have helped the artists gain notoriety and simultaneously helped the brand gain credibility within hip hop crowds. Even on a local level, J.Pinder and Seattle streetwear/skate boutique, Goods, collaborated on a shirt and skateboard deck to coincide with the release of Pinder’s recently-released Code Red EP. Pinder sees this as an opportunity to “create a brand and continue the music.” As a culture, this has provided the opportunity for designers and emcees to grow together, moving the art forward and achieving the hip hop dream of making it big.

Fashion’s place in hip hop is taking the culture full circle. Artists will always be conscious of their appearance, “you always have to think about the aesthetic and design when presenting your product,” says SOTA emcee/producer Parker – the product of course, isn’t just the music, but the artists themselves. And, while fashion will remain important, it’s back with the people. The fashion doesn’t have to be expensive or flashy, and it’s re-opened an opportunity for artists to come from nothing and make a name through raw talent. This progression has led to an expansion in the number of rappers trying to do just that. While some may kill your eardrums, there is now more talent in the genre and the culture as a whole is expanding as fast as ever.

In 2010, we have endured numerous urban fashion faux pas and come a long way from the fluorescent track-suits and backwards clothing of the 80’s and 90’s. However, despite some missteps, many trends from the same time period are reincarnating to become popular again. “Door-knocker” earrings, form fitting jeans (a.k.a. skinny jeans) and eccentric, brightly colored cartoon graphic hoodies and tees have made a come back and can be found in closets of the hip (or hipster). Even though a handful of updated fads from the past have made it back to the present, today’s styles and designs are simple, sophisticated and hopefully, timeless.

All of that said, we’ve compiled a list of 10 independent companies that manufacture some of the hottest, most innovative, intriguing and stylish threads influenced by hip-hop that are, in our opinion, a must have. Now, you will notice that major players, such as Stussy, LRG, Scifen, etc., are absent from the ranks. This is not saying we don’t like their products, because we do. A lot. The purpose of this list is to introduce you to dope companies that produce exciting and fresh gear that you may not know or hear of otherwise.

In No Particular Order:

1. Group Fly

Founded in 2007, and currently preparing to release Volume 3 of their clothing line, Oklahoma City’s Group Fly is undoubtedly a design forerunner in the urban clothing scene. While Oklahoma isn’t necessarily renowned for their hip-hop scene or output of street-wear, GrpFly ignores that and welcomes the challenge of defying the odds. Vernon Deas, the founder, CEO and designer, considers the brand not just clothing, but a lifestyle. With that mindset future volumes are sure to continue to be a great representation of urban culture.

2. Manifest Worldwide

Starting out in 2001 with t-shirts being printed on a kitchen table in North Carolina, Manifest has grown significantly from it’s home-based operation and is now being sold in select stores around the world. Proud to be dedicated to the golden age of urban culture, the styles and designs of Manifest stay completely true to the old-school as well as pay tribute to classic hip-hop artists/groups of that time. It’s not very often you find a company wanting to educate their consumers about hip-hop heritage through their clothing line!

3. Exact Science

Based in San Francisco, California, Exact Science is “motivated by the hybrid, collaborative and fundamentally grassroots experience that spawns distinctive strains of urban art”, and it shows in their clothing designs.  And not only does Exact Science create original, distinctive clothing but they double as a music label that organizes and performs at events while working to introduce local talent to the masses. Having such a strong focus on the musical aspects of the culture provides a monumental advantage during the creative process of constructing graphics for their clothing.

Continue reading for #4-6 »