5 Rappers and Their Favorite Eyewear
Credit: Wiz Khalifa on Instagram.
Hip-hop fashion has always been grounded in asserting individuality, pushing boundaries, and reflecting an artist’s style and culture.
From shirts and hoodies splashed with colorful artwork to shiny accessories and baggy pants, rappers and hip-hop artists have influenced fashion by introducing iconic pieces that shaped identities and, in some cases, challenged norms. Today, the street style that hip-hop is known for has made its way to the mainstream, with brands like Adidas and Kangol becoming hip-hop staples.
Although trends continue to evolve, rappers remain true to hip-hop fashion’s ethos of personalization by making their mark in the music industry – whether through their music style or fashion choices. One way to express their individuality is through the eyewear they usually sport. With the range of new designs and collaborations, eyewear has become more than just a vision correction tool — it’s become a fashion statement. That said, here’s a look at five rappers and their favorite eyewear:
Cardi B
Credit: Cardi B on Instagram.
Cardi B’s career is nothing short of impressive, being the only female rapper with the most number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Her fashion choices are as vibrant as her personality, as seen in the colored contacts she usually wears. While subtle shades from lines like Air Optix Colors are a popular option, Cardi B can also be seen wearing green, blue, gray, and even pink contact lenses to add a subtle yet unique boost to her looks. Her style proves that the artist, who Forbes named one of the most influential female rappers of all time, knows a thing about standing out.
Snoop Dogg
Credit: Snoop Dogg on Instagram.
When it comes to the West Coast hip-hop music scene, Snoop Dogg is one artist that quickly comes to mind. Snoop Dogg’s cartoonish public persona, coupled with his laid-back demeanor, is what makes him a crowd favorite. The 16-time Grammy nominee likes to flaunt his style by wearing extravagant sunglasses with round or oversized frames with a touch of golden embellishments. In the recently concluded Paris Olympics, Snoop Dogg also wore a pair of Olympics logo sunglasses, proving that eyewear is essential to his style.
Wiz Khalifa
Credit: Whiz Khalifa on Instagram.
Wiz Khalifa is one of the most successful rappers from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, along with Mel-Man and the late Mac Miller. Best known for his hits Black and Yellow and See You Again, the artist has captivated audiences with his melodic style of alternating between rapping and singing. Wiz Khalifa typically sports wraparound sunglasses like the Balenciaga BB0251S 001 and black frames with gold detailing, such as the Versace Medusa sunnies, showcasing his opulent style. These sunnies and other accessories like earrings and gold chains help add a stylish and expensive touch to his outfits.
Jay-Z
Credit: Jay-Z on Instagram.
You can’t talk about successful rappers without mentioning Jay-Z. After all, all of his 13 studio albums are certified platinum, and he is the rapper with the most Grammy wins of all time, along with Kanye West. The best-selling rapper is also a big fan of eyewear, often wearing dark lenses even in his music videos to evoke a sense of privacy and mystique. Jay-Z’s fashion-forward style ties in with his preferred high-end frames like Gucci and sunnies from his brand, Rocawear.
Kanye West
Credit: concert_hub_2.0 on Instagram.
Kanye West is another rapper who knows how to make a name for himself in the industry. Aside from tying with Jay-Z in having the most Grammy wins as a rapper, he also holds the joint record for most albums that topped the annual Pazz & Jop critics poll alongside Bob Dylan. The Grammy Award-winning artist likes to sport the classic aviator style, as seen in his music video Stronger. He also wears wraparound and oversized sunglasses, like the YZY SHDZ sunnies he released, which are sleek and frameless – providing ample eye coverage and making him stand out.
Hip-hop fashion has always been about expressing individuality; these rappers know it best. From unique rapping styles to sleek eyewear, these rappers know how to stand out and make a mark in the industry.
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