The celebration of Hip Hop 50 continues. In keeping with the year’s theme and focus, popular fashion brand Amiri has tapped rap duo Black Star—yasiin bey and Talib Kweli—for its autumn/winter 2023 icon campaign. With it being such a monumental moment for the genre, this rollout couldn’t have come at a better time.
The campaign images highlight the fluid tailoring, artful shapes, and a fusion of 1950s and 90s Americana. Reflecting Amiri’s long-standing relationship with music as an expression of cultural messaging and ideas, the campaign speaks to Black Star’s craft and the duo’s capacity to revolutionize old-school techniques through progressive flow and rhyme mirrors the collection’s artistry and silhouette.
The group’s legacy is imprinted within hip hop culture. A highly influential and prominent force during the defining 90s era, both Kweli and bey have pioneered the self-expressive and intellectual ‘conscious rap’ genre. Their seminal 1998 record, “Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star”, is cited as one of the genre’s most significant works, an intellectual album that addressed societal issues through hooks and punchlines. The pair joined forces again in 2022, to release their sophomore record, “No Fear of Time”, twenty-four years after their debut.
Below, check out some of the images from the new Amiri campaign.
Image: Karim Sadli for Amiri
Image: Karim Sadli for Amiri
Image: Karim Sadli for Amiri
