“I’m best-dressed moving forward.”
Kendrick Lamar wasn’t shy about claiming his spot as the best-dressed rapper in the game to open up his new Baby Keem-assisted track “The Hillbillies.”
And throughout the video directed by Neil Farmer, Kendrick certainly makes a good case. There’s a colorful Rick Owens puffer jacket, accessories from up-and-coming labels like Winnie New York and Sunni Sunni, a super exclusive pgLang Dodgers fitted cap on his dome, and so much Martine Rose it looks like he raided her studio.
Whether Kendrick actually is the best-dressed rapper in the game right now or not is up for debate, but he’s certainly been positioning himself to at least be part of the discussion as of late. There was his full Martine Rose ensemble fresh off the runway at the Grammys. He showed up to the Met Gala in a Chanel look complete with double Cs on a custom diamond tooth. And who could forget the crown of thorns by Tiffany and Co. that featured over 8,000 diamonds? Look back a bit further, he was showing love to Drew Curry’s young label, Airei, on the stage at Day N Vegas in 2021 (he also wore pieces from the brand in his “Count Me Out” video).
We would also be remiss to not give some credit to stylist Taylor McNeill, who has been helping craft Kendricks’s new style for the past few years and Taz Arnold, a style icon in his own right who Kendrick put on his “Mount Rushmore of style” back in 2022. He even refers to himself as “Tiny Taz Arn” in the opening moments of the new track. The jeans and cowboy boots are likely a nod to one of Arnold’s signature looks.
Kendrick has come a long way from white tees and a pair of Nike Cortez. And it’s clear he is making a concerted effort to place his name among the likes of some of rap’s most fashionable individuals like ASAP Rocky or Tyler, the Creator. Whether you think he’s at that level yet or not, he undeniably gets some fits off in his latest visual. Check out some of the pieces seen on Kendrick in “The Hillbillies” below.
“I’m best-dressed moving forward.”
Kendrick Lamar wasn’t shy about claiming his spot as the best-dressed rapper in the game to open up his new Baby Keem-assisted track “The Hillbillies.”
And throughout the video directed by Neil Farmer, Kendrick certainly makes a good case. There’s a colorful Rick Owens puffer jacket, accessories from up-and-coming labels like Winnie New York and Sunni Sunni, a super exclusive pgLang Dodgers fitted cap on his dome, and so much Martine Rose it looks like he raided her studio.
Whether Kendrick actually is the best-dressed rapper in the game right now or not is up for debate, but he’s certainly been positioning himself to at least be part of the discussion as of late. There was his full Martine Rose ensemble fresh off the runway at the Grammys. He showed up to the Met Gala in a Chanel look complete with double Cs on a custom diamond tooth. And who could forget the crown of thorns by Tiffany and Co. that featured over 8,000 diamonds? Look back a bit further, he was showing love to Drew Curry’s young label, Airei, on the stage at Day N Vegas in 2021 (he also wore pieces from the brand in his “Count Me Out” video).
We would also be remiss to not give some credit to stylist Taylor McNeill, who has been helping craft Kendricks’s new style for the past few years and Taz Arnold, a style icon in his own right who Kendrick put on his “Mount Rushmore of style” back in 2022. He even refers to himself as “Tiny Taz Arn” in the opening moments of the new track. The jeans and cowboy boots are likely a nod to one of Arnold’s signature looks.
Kendrick has come a long way from white tees and a pair of Nike Cortez. And it’s clear he is making a concerted effort to place his name among the likes of some of rap’s most fashionable individuals like ASAP Rocky or Tyler, the Creator. Whether you think he’s at that level yet or not, he undeniably gets some fits off in his latest visual. Check out some of the pieces seen on Kendrick in “The Hillbillies” below.
Martine Rose 'Barnsley' Cap
Martine Rose gets shown the most love in the video for “The Hillbillies,” which should come as no surprise considering he said working with her on looks for his Big Steppers store was a bucket list moment. This particular piece is from the English designer’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection. The distressed grey dad cap features “Barnsley” embroidered across the bill in red, a nod to the town in England. You may have seen this cap previously worn by the likes of Ye and Tremaine Emory.
Martine Rose x Tommy Jeans Oversized T-Shirt
Sometimes nothing beats a classic logo T-shirt. Another Martine Rose piece prominently featured in “The Hillbillies” is a T-shirt from the designer’s collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger. We get a closeup of the orange and blue co-branding on the chest of the oversized white top at the 1:12 mark. It was released as part of a 35-piece capsule in November 2022.
Martine Rose Bomber Jacket
Kendrick layered his Tommy Hilfiger x Martine Rose T-shirt with a cropped bomber jacket from the English designer. Her riff on the classic military outerwear comes complete with ruched sleeves, a traditional orange liner, and minimal Martine Rose branding on the right stomach pocket.
Martine Rose Painter Trouser
No, these aren’t just some used Dickies. This is yet another piece from the mind of Martine Rose. No blue collar job, no problem. These double knees have come pre-splattered with colorful paint. Looking for a pair for yourself? The SSENSE sale section comes in clutch once again.
Martine Rose Bulb Toe Ring Loafer
Everyone should have a good pair of loafers in their closet. But Kendrick isn’t just rocking some G.H. Bass Weejuns. Of course, he also goes to Martine Rose for his footwear. This pair sets itself apart from the traditional loafer with its bulbous toe shape and addition of the addition of brass D-ring hardware. If you’re currently trying to experiment a bit with your wardrobe, you can score a pair for $804.
Textile General Store Cashmere Knit Vest
Yes, it’s easy to get sidetracked by all of the Martine Rose that Kendrick wears in this video, but some of the more interesting pieces are the one-off from more lowkey designers. This cashmere knit vest from Textile General Store is a great example. The Boston-based studio crafts all of its piece by hand in small batches. Its other creations include crocheted hats, balaclavas, bucket bags, and even bikini tops.
Sunni Sunni Reese Boots
True to his new Compton Cowboy persona, Kendrick made sure to show off some high quality boots in this video. The brown python pair is from Washington DC designer Sunni Dixon’s Sunni Sunni. It features a 3-inch heel, squared toe, and retails at $940.
Winnie New York SS22 Hat
Anyone staking their claim as “best dressed” can’t just stick to the well-known designers that everyone else is wearing. Kendrick is proving he isn’t just getting roped into the current trend cycles by rocking some more lowkey accessories from up-and-coming designers. This uncuffed beanie from from Idris Balogun’s Winnie New York is a perfect example. The tan headwear was part of Look 7 from the his Spring/Summer 2022 collection.
Satoshi Nakamoto Studded Army Hoodie
No, that army zip-up you saw Lamar wearing in the video wasn’t some random cop from a Goodwill in LA. The hoodie is actually from Satoshi Nakamoto, named after the pseudonym for the person who helped develop the first bitcoin. It features studs in the “ARMY” lettering, a grey hood and sleeves that contrast its cream torso, and “Satoshi Nakamoto” embroidered above the split kangaroo pouch in green cursive lettering.
Proleta Re Art x Vuja Dé Jeans
ASAP Rocky isn’t the only big artist co-signing Japanese label Proleta Re Art right now. Kendrick completes his Compton Cowboy ensemble with a pair of custom upcycled jeans made in collaboration with fellow Japanese brand Vuja Dé. The pair has been reworked with patchwork on the knee and stitching around the hems and pockets. We’d have probably opted for some sweatpants to lounge on the private jet if we were given the opportunity, but we have to respect his commitment to the fit here.
Rick Owens Cropped Printed Quilted Down Velvet Jacket
K-Dot in some Rick? While the choice may seem surprising, we don’t blame him for his outerwear choice on his trip to London. This cropped puffer jacket is certainly a statement piece considering its unique teal and red pattern. If that wasn’t enough, it also comes complete with a built-in puffer scarf. It can get chilly across the pond. Might as well be fashionable and functional.
pgLang Los Angeles Dodgers Fitted Hat
Every Kendrick fan’s favorite fitted cap also made an appearance in “The Hillbillies.” Kendrick can be seen sporting a black pgLang Dodgers cap in certain shots. Hopefully, fans will have a chance to cop their own soon. Up to this point, they have been a friends and family exclusive.
Adidas Sambas
Even Kendrick couldn’t resist the temptation of the fashion internet’s favorite shoe, the Adidas Samba. Lamar can be seen dancing around in front of Dodgers Stadium in a pair of the classic indoor soccer sneakers. There isn’t a clear enough shot to determine if he just went with and O white and black pair or the more elusive Wales Bonner collab. But given his shoutout to the English designer in the song, we wouldn’t be surprised if it was the latter.