The “Not Like Us” rapper is the latest Chanel brand ambassador.
Screenshot: Instagram
With 22 GRAMMYs, six Billboard Hot 100 number one tracks, and a Pulitzer Prize to his name, Kendrick Lamar keeps showing us that when it comes to rappers, he is in a class by himself.
But while the “Not Like Us” rapper is renowned for his flow and his songwriting skills, we don’t spend nearly enough time talking about his sense of style, which has evolved over the course of his career.
This week, luxury brand Chanel announced Lamar as their newest ambassador, featuring him in a cool campaign for the brand’s spring eyewear collection. Chanel’s announcement on Instagram has received over 105,000 likes and has even convinced a few sunglass skeptics to try a pair.
“I don’t like glasses, but I’m gonna buy a pair for my Goat,” wrote someone in the comments.
In honor of Kendrick Lamar’s latest accomplishment, we’re looking back at some of our favorite looks over the years.
Chanel Shades
Screenshot: Instagram
The “Not Like Us” rapper is the epitome of cool rocking a pair of sunglasses from the Chanel Spring-Summer 2025 eyewear collection.
Head-to-Toe Chanel
Citizen Cover Issue
Screenshot: Instagram
All About The Accessories
Kendrick suited up to be photographed by David Nana Opoku Ansah for a 2022 Citizen Magazine cover issue.
Vintage Vibes
The leather trench in this black and white photo looks like something straight out of the 1970s.
Casual Chic
They Not Like Him
Early Days: The LA Aesthetic
Kendrick Lamar’s fashion journey began in 2012 with the release of his breakthrough album, good kid, m.A.A.d city. During this era, he embodied the essence of Los Angeles streetwear. His attire was a canvas that vividly expressed the spirit of the West Coast. The snapback caps, often bearing LA sports logos, served as symbols of local pride. His bandana-print T-shirts paid homage to the city’s gang culture while making a bold fashion statement. Baggy blue jeans, Timberland boots, and iconic Nike Air Force Ones were not just clothing items, but artefacts of urban life.
What set Kendrick apart during this phase was his ability to infuse authenticity into his style. It wasn’t merely a fashion choice; it was a reflection of his roots, his upbringing in Compton, and his commitment to storytelling through clothing. His outfits were a visual narrative, an homage to the city that raised him and the music that made him.
Transition: Refining the Basics
By 2017, as Kendrick prepared to release his third studio album, Damn, his style underwent a profound evolution. It was a pivotal moment in both his career and fashion journey. He shed the flashy streetwear of his earlier days and embraced a more minimalist aesthetic. The crisp white T-shirts he favoured were a canvas for his evolving identity. The Nike Cortez sneakers, iconic in Compton’s history, became a symbol of Kendrick’s connection to his hometown and the baggy chinos replaced the baggy jeans of his youth, a nod to LA culture, while signifying a shift towards maturity and a deeper sense of self.
This phase was not just about a change in wardrobe; it was also the visual representation of Kendrick’s growth as an artist. Coming into his own, his music had matured, tackling complex themes and societal issues. Likewise, his fashion choices matured, reflecting a more introspective and refined Kendrick Lamar.
Image Credit: @kendricklamarworld
Image Credit: @parsons
Image Credit: @kendricklamar
Image Credit: @gregnoire
Now:
The Rise of Experimentation
Kendrick’s willingness to push boundaries extended beyond the recording studio into his fashion choices. During this phase, he demonstrated that he was all about artistic expression and would use fashion as a medium. Onstage, he transformed into a visual storyteller. With his half-worn jumpsuits that were a nod to vulnerability and imperfection, a message that resonated with his audience. His kung fu-inspired looks were a representation of strength and discipline, mirroring the themes he was exploring in his music.
This experimentation was a testament to Kendrick’s multidimensionality as an artist. Like a few figures before him, he brilliantly blurred the lines between music and fashion, using both to convey complex narratives and emotions. His fashion became an extension of his performances, making each show a multisensory experience.
Today’s Style Icon
In the present day, Kendrick Lamar stands as a true style icon, not just in the realm of hip-hop but in the broader fashion world. Declaring in ‘Hillbillies’, the collaboration track with Baby Keem where he is “the best dressed”, his journey into luxury fashion represents the pinnacle of his evolution. What sets him apart is not just his ability to wear high-end designer pieces but to do so with an effortless fusion of streetwear sensibilities and disregard of any sartorial rules. He seamlessly combines the worlds of luxury and urban style, creating a unique signature that is recognised and celebrated globally.
Kendrick’s fashion choices have become symbolic of the evolving nature of hip-hop itself. Whether he is in Wales Bonner, Louis Vuitton, or Martine Rose, he embodies the genre’s ability to transcend boundaries, merge diverse influences, and redefine the norms. His style is a testament to the power of personal expression, growth and not being afraid to reinvent yourself in an ever-changing world of fashion.
Image Credit: @kendricklamar
Image Credit: @kendricklamar
The Rise of Experimentation
Beyond the superficial, Kendrick’s fashion evolution is a profound statement on the enduring power of personal expression. In an era where cultural landscapes are in a constant state of flux, his unwavering commitment to authenticity stands unmatched. It’s a reminder that, despite fads and trends, one’s sense of style remains powerful beyond temporary influences.
In essence, Kendrick Lamar’s fashion odyssey is a tapestry woven with threads of cultural resonance, artistic evolution, and the timeless allure of personal style. It’s not merely a journey from one fashion phase to another but is a testimony to the spirit of an artist who has harnessed the transformative potential of both music and fashion, creating a legacy that extends far beyond the realms of entertainment.
Image Credit: @jojoruski
Image Credit: @jojoruski