Hip hop is a space, and within that realm knowledge is produced and manifested in a multitude of forms. Because of the multi-pronged nature of hip hop, my discussion of its elements must express this multiplicity both in content and form. As such, I offer a drop from my drip of the scholarship that is hip hop. This sampling explores broader themes of hip hop culture then moves to more specific expressions of those themes. I begin with my conceptualization of the space of hip hop with regard to hip hop feminisms as part of the current generation of Black feminisms. I then move to discuss the ways Black femme subjects transform the notion of Black bodies as excessively loud to the voluminous possibilities expressed in hip hop culture through its music and fashion. Black femme subjects employ this volume to disrupt White supremacy.

Lately my consideration of hip hop has turned to the spatial world making nature of hip hop culture. As such, I have been increasingly drawn to identifying the various aspects that converge to build the world of hip hop. In my exploration of this world, the visual, material, and aural became essential to my telling of hip hop’s story. For this reason, my presentation centers the material medium of fashion and gathers sonic and visual pieces that examine hip hop aesthetics. These aesthetics express tenets of hip hop that communicate the impact of hip hop culture. Because hip hop is a communal project at its core, it was important to me to create something that is accessible to communities outside the academy. I wanted to present a discussion of hip hop that was recognizable to the populations who love it the most. I was intentional about each element.

The remixed Louis Vuitton print is my nod to Daniel “Dapper Dan” Day’s iconic role in shaping generations of fashion in hip hop. (I pause momentarily to shoutout my mother who told me to “make it drip” literally.) Day is most known for applying luxury brand signatures to robust silhouettes associated with populations of Black and Hispanic youth living in urban spaces. The juxtaposition of Day’s silhouette’s with luxury labels insert Black culture into racial capitalist arenas that typically exist outside the reach of Black subjects. Thus, Day’s creation institutes a rupture to social structures of class and presents Black subjects as cultural and economic influences.

Bagley, Jason. “Apple Bottom Jeans.” Flickr, 7 Oct. 2024, www.flickr.com/photos/jbagley/4067635185/.

Beckman, Janette. “‘My Jewels Are My Superhero Suit’: Slick Rick on Hip-Hop Bling.” The Guardian, 5 Sept. 2022, www.theguardian.com/fashion/2022/sep/05/slick-rick-on-hip-hop-jewellery.

“Custom Name Necklace: 14K Yellow Gold.” Patricia Field ARTFASHION, patriciafield.com/products/custom-nameplate-necklace?variant=38295771742402. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

“The Captivating Carrie Name Necklace: A Style Icon in Gold.” Joycenamenecklace, 19 May 2023, www.joycenamenecklace.com/blogs/jewelry%20tips/the-captivating-carrie-name-necklace-a-style-icon-in-gold.

Arora-Pawa, Jasmine. “15 Amazing Solange-Inspired Beaded Hairstyles You Have to See from Instagram.” Essence, 26 Oct. 2020, www.essence.com/hair/solange-inspired-beaded-hairstyles-from-instagram/.

“6 Things You Didn’t Know about Salt-n-Pepa.” Lifetime, www.mylifetime.com/movies/salt-n-pepa/pages/salt-n-pepa-movie-6-things-didnt-know. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Ford, Tanisha C. “Bamboo Earrings.” Dressed in Dreams A Black Girl’s Love Letter to the Power of Fashion, St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 2019, pp. 162–181.

Falquez, Camila. “Bad Bunny Will Do Whatever He Wants.” Allure, 12 Oct. 2021, www.allure.com/story/bad-bunny-cover-interview-november-2021.

Hussein, Samir. “Lauryn Hill Performs on the Pyramid Stage during Day Three Of...” Getty Images, 2019, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/lauryn-hill-performs-on-the-pyramid-stage-during-day-three-news-photo/1158869763?adppopup=true.

Jacobs, Shahida. “Gallery of Serena Williams’ Fashion Statements: Boots, Catsuits, Trench Coats.” Tennis365, 23 Aug. 2023, www.tennis365.com/french-open/gallery-of-serena-williams-fashion-statements-catsuits-trench-coats-and-boots.

The Kid. “Outkast’s ‘Aquemini’ Album Is the Greatest All-around Hip-Hop Album of All-Time & This Is Why.” According2HipHop, 29 Sept. 2023, according2hiphop.com/3outkasts-aquemini-albu/.

“The Lady of Rage.” Spotify, open.spotify.com/artist/5CxwOBCoGSvWxfDgNoa1Nv. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

LL Cool J: “Around the Way Girl.” Def Jam & Columbia, 1990.

Lil Baby, and Gunna. “Drip Too Hard.” YSL; Quality Control; Motown; Capitol, YouTube, 5 Oct. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=THcVOf1kNh0.

Mazur, Kevin. “The Casual Anti-Spectacle of Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show.” The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2023, www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-casual-anti-spectacle-of-rihannas-super-bowl-halftime-show.

Mendez, Chris Malone. “Lil Nas X Is an ‘industry Baby’ and Proud of It.” Forbes Magazine, 23 July 2021, www.forbes.com/sites/cmalone/2021/07/23/lil-nas-x-is-an-industry-baby-and-proud-of-it/.

“Megan Thee Stallion Teases New Track, New Grill Glistens: See Videos.” GRUNGECAKE, 29 Sept. 2024, grungecake.com/megan-thee-stallion-teases-new-track-and-new-grill-glistens-see-videos/articles/116214.

Medrano, Renell. “Kendrick Lamar’s ‘mr. Morale & the Big Steppers’ Offers an Imperfect Path to Healing.” Andscape, 20 May 2022, andscape.com/features/kendrick-lamars-mr-morale-the-big-steppers-offers-an-imperfect-path-to-healing/.

Missouri Liquidation. “Adidas Superstar XLG J Ig0289 Mens White Blue Lace up Athletic Sneaker Size 7.” eBay, www.ebay.com/itm/335176905339. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

“Men’s Gucci Slides.” Nordstrom.Com, www.nordstrom.com/browse/men/shoes/sandals/slide-sandals?filterByBrand=gucci. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

QualityAirbrushing. “Airbrushed T-Shirt 90’s Fly Girl Design 90s Party Graffiti 80s90s Hip Hop Party Custom Airbrush Custom T-Shirt Hip Hop Music Freaknik Shirt.” Etsy, www.etsy.com/listing/1305084682/airbrushed-t-shirt-90s-fly-girl-design. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

“Run-DMC.” Music in Global America, scalar.usc.edu/works/music-in-global-america/media/run-dmc. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

St. Félix, Doreen. “The Otherworldly Concept Albums of Janelle Monáe.” The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2018, www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-otherworldly-concept-albums-of-janelle-monae.

Verry, Peter. “Wale Opens up about His Latest Shoe Release, Most Expensive Kicks & More.” Footwear News, 23 July 2018, footwearnews.com/shoes/outdoor-footwear/wale-asics-villa-sneaker-release-most-expensive-kicks-interview-238358/.

Whack, Tierra, director. Clones . CLONES, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5djpcIOoiJU.

Translee and T.I., directors. Catch This Wave. Https://Www.Youtube.Com/Watch?v=KdsGyZdDx3A, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdsGyZdDx3A.

Most Recent Publication

“Reclaiming My Womb”

The Association for the Study of the Worldwide African Diaspora issued a call for papers that explore Black ecologies. In keeping with my interest in hip hop as a project in world making, the call offered an opportunity to explore the tangible impact of hip hop on the natural world. I immediately began thinking about Jermaine “J.” Cole’s Dreamville recording label and the annual Dreamville music festival. Both the label and the festival espouse the collaborative dream work of hip hop and work create new spaces in culture. Dreamville physically transforms the landscape of Raleigh, North Carolina and produces economic stimulus to the community. Furthermore, the stage and the label provide opportunities for artistic collaboration and communal restoration through initiatives of the Dreamville Foundation. Dreamville is an enterprise in Black ecological transformation. In all honesty I struggled to include all the sources that inform my exploration in a cohesive manner. There were some moments where I added information in a very pragmatic style without fully explaining the source’s purpose to the work I want to do concerning Dreamville.

Photo by Christian Ratliff-Mason

I have been told that I am a maximalist. It is not always to everyone’s liking, it was a struggle for me to discover that it’s ok that my style does not appeal to everyone. There is a thin line between garish and daring, and often people disagree about where exactly that line is. I will admit that I enjoy bold colors, and I don’t shy away from daring prints. My bold and vibrant personality shows up in everything I do, including my scholarship. My writing is typically succinct. I like to plainly explain my exact meaning as quickly as possible. I do not like fluff. More importantly, I truly care about people. Everything I write is preoccupied with the care of people. Sometimes this means showcasing the brilliance of people. Other times it means carefully parsing out the structures that threaten the well-being of people. It always means that I am thinking about how my work impacts others.