Image via Complex Original
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There are certain things that go along with being the second-richest man in hip-hop—one of those things being you have the world wondering what kind of clothes you're spending all that money on. In Jay-Z's case, we have a pretty good idea. No doubt he can pull off the dapper black tie look, but we like that he appreciates a good tee and denim, too.
Hov has been one of the first rappers to rock certain streetwear brands and still dons the likes of BBC and Crooks & Castles to this day. Even though his bank account may allow a bigger budget on clothes, we might have more in common with Mr. Carter than we think. Check out the History of Jay-Z's Streetwear Co-Signs.
Champion
Champion
WHERE: Unknown
WHEN: 90s
COMPLEX SAYS: Champion became a huge brand throughout the hip-hop scene. A young Hov was just trying to be cool. Now the tables have turned and fans look to him for trends.
Play Cloths
Play Cloths
WHERE: Leaving Nobu Restaraunt in NYC
WHEN: July 23, 2009
COMPLEX SAYS: Just because it's Jay doesn't mean he can't rock affordable clothing. You can cop this Play Cloths tee for only $36.
Bape
Bape
WHERE: 105.1′s “Powerhouse 2005: Operation Takeover”
WHEN: October 27, 2005
COMPLEX SAYS: 2005 was the year Bape opened its first flagship in the U.S., and not even a whole year went by before the brand was co-signed by Jay. It's hard not to want this sick KAWS collab jacket.
G-Star
G-Star
WHERE: 2009 MTV Video Music Awards
WHEN: September 13, 2009
COMPLEX SAYS: One of Jay's better 'fits. Too bad this impeccable example of layering for the urban dude got overshadowed by Lil' Mama's self-ethering.
PRPS
PRPS
WHERE: Leaving dinner
WHEN: April 12, 2010
COMPLEX SAYS: We'd recognize that destroyed denim from anywhere. Your denim game isn't complete without a pair of PRPS jeans, ripped or not.
Rocksmith
Rocksmith
WHERE: Lyor Cohen's dinner party
WHEN: May 12, 2009
COMPLEX SAYS: Hov's crispy tee outshines T.I.'s AKOO crewneck. Also, rest In peace B.I.G.
Billionaire Boys Club
Billionaire Boys Club
WHERE: Concert
WHEN: November 2, 2009
COMPLEX SAYS: Not that it's the only reason Jay-Z is wearing this shirt, but if you had a BBC product designed in commemoration of your Pharrell-produced track, would you ignore it? Exactly.
Rocawear
Rocawear
WHERE: Ad campaign
WHEN: 2009
COMPLEX SAYS: We'd be crazy to forget the obvious. Hov has stood behind his own brand even when the world was weary of its success. This was also before we knew Rocawear would come to rack in $700 million annually. Ballin'!
Crooks & Castles
Crooks & Castles
WHERE: New York
WHEN: November 28, 2009
COMPLEX SAYS: Jay-Z was one of the first rappers to co-sign Crooks and continues to rock it to this day. See, you too can have something in common with a hip-hop icon.
The Hundreds
The Hundreds
WHERE: New York "One Day" Tour
WHEN: November 18, 2006
COMPLEX SAYS: Don't front, all-over print was the shit back then. Hov was just going with the flow of trends and we're not mad at him.
Orchard
Orchard Street
WHERE: Bon Jovi Concert
WHEN: September 19, 2005
COMPLEX SAYS: Orchard Street was one of the first brands to recognize the power of having their gear on Jigga. When Jay rocked OS, T-shirts moved.