Is Fashion In Music Dead?

Is this a novel occurrence? Of course not. As annoying as Diddy has been and will continue to be, anyone whose seen a Sean John show during New York's Fashion Week knows that the label is sound on both fashion and financial levels. And the myriad labels that exist to sell recycled versions of street style that we have come to know and love, Ecko Unlimited, Southpole, and Phat Farm come to mind, are in such abundance that there is no true originality to be found within these labels. That is why it is so refreshing to see someone who seeks to remind us all that, yes, there was a time when African-Americans were known and revered as beacons of fashion.

To return to the initial focal point of this post, Schuman writes, "If I felt totally comfortable talking about clothes with my guy friends it's because it was so normal in the music I was listening to at the time." Echoing this sentiment, it's high time that artists start taking not just the music more seriously, but how artists present themselves to their public. A wise man once said "Music is culture." This same person also said "letting society and commerce determine your sound instead of moving culture yourself doesn't make you an artist." As we prepare to welcome a historic event of monumental proportions that we have all been blessed to witness on January 20th, it's time to admit that judging a book by its cover may not always prove to be wise. Furthermore, it's time to admit that the clothes really not only make the man or woman, but the perception of the music as well. Creativity is not lacking in the music we know and love, but when it comes to the desire for new expressions of style by those at the music forefront, both artists and their fans have proven to be determined, focused sheep. As this website has and continues to show, the need to focus on the "good old days" is as futile as denying the new school their place in the fray of worthwhile music. Here's to hoping that originality, musicality, and style continues to coexist peacefully and beautifully as the perfectly positioned pocket square on Morris Day's brocade jacket.