If you’ve shopped our SNIPES Brand Capsules, you’ll know that we like to bring out the best of the basics to provide elevated outfit essentials for any event. A colorful assortment of hoodies and sweatpants built for go-getters and tastemakers fill out this seasonal collection, but what differentiates these pieces from everyday fall fashion? We pay special attention to the specifics – the fabrics, colors, designs, and everything in between demands perfection for our loyal SNIPES family. The elements of each apparel item come together to create something whole, much like the four elements of Hip-Hop. If not for DJ Kool Herc, the Father of Hip-Hop who brought it all together, this rapidly growing music genre would have never reached the levels of popularity that it has today. Through the lens of the latest SNIPES Brand Capsule, let’s take a moment to appreciate all the creativity and ingenuity that Hip-Hop has to offer within its most basic elements.
MCing – Known as the Master of Ceremonies, the MC sets the vibe by rapping or freestyling to keep the audience engaged and on their feet. Bringing your best to the stage each night is no easy task. A Hip-Hop MC must show energy and effort throughout the evening when introducing acts or showcasing their own skill sets. The MC depends heavily on the DJ to help keep the crowd involved in the performance with their management of the music and beats.
DJing – Whether they’re scratching records or creating seamless transitions with turntables, the DJ uses music and beats to keep people dancing until the break of dawn. Credited as the original Hip-Hop DJs, Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash famously ruled block parties in the 70s and 80s by finding the “breaks” in songs and playing them repeatedly. Breaks or breakbeats heavily feature instrumentals or percussion, and these drawn-out musical sections allowed breakers to bust a move and create the all-important dance element of Hip-Hop.
Breaking – Also known as B-Boying or B-Girling, Breaking was the fundamental dance featured at all of DJ Kool Herc’s block parties. Recognized as one of the essential elements of Hip-Hop, Breaking consists of its own four elements: Toprock, Downrock, Power Moves, and Freezes come together to construct the most widely known Hip-Hop dance style today. B-Boys and B-Girls play a pivotal role in Hip-Hop as the growing subculture offers an innovative art form for dancers to dazzle in the spotlight.
Graffiti – Originating out of the subways of New York, Graffiti is an expressive visual art form that is often displayed as the backdrop for Hip-Hop demonstrations. Graffiti is the most overlooked element of Hip-Hop as the artwork is often completed illegally, and graf artists tend to keep their identities hidden. However, like the other three elements, the rising subculture of Graffiti is largely embraced by the Hip-Hop community and continues to make a push into mainstream acceptance.
The full fall collection lives here with several top and bottom options in Men’s and Women’s sizes available to mix and match. You can celebrate the Hip-Hop artists and creatives of past, present, and future from head to toe with this apparel assortment – so long as you remember to bring the energy and commit to keeping the crowd going crazy. For the latest news and sneaker/streetwear releases, follow us on our Instagram read up on our blog posts, and download the mobile app to stay up to date on everything SNIPES.
