T-Shirt Designers Say "Black Icons Are Cool"

What's hip in t-shirt design, you ask? T-shirt designerssongwriter Wyclef Jean has been spotted wearing
say nothing's cooler than Black Icons. Yes, they meanMuhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Junior, and Dr.
African American Pop Icons...visionaries, entertainers,Malcolm X Shabazz.
athletes, and activists. And why are t-shirts with theKids all over America are wearing black icons...black
likes of Muhammad Ali, Richard Pryor, George Clinton,inner city youth and white suburbanites alike. The fad
and Martin Luther King Junior all the rage? Becausewhich started in the streets probably made it to the
these brothers are cool....real cool. Is it the color of theirburbs by way of television through music videos and
skin? Is it their fame? Is it their struggle? Is it whatother forms of entertainment.
they've accomplished? It's all of that, but most of all it'sIn a predominantly white middle school in New Jersey
because they're all leaders in their own right. Andone student has came up with an interesting class
people, regardless of race, respect and admire peopleproject for black history month. He has proposed that
who take charge. And if you're a brother in charge,on the first Friday in February everyone in his history
well then more power to ya.class wear a t-shirt embellished with a black icon. They
Some fashion critics say it's also the Hip Hopwill get partial credit for participating in the project, but
movement that's bringing famous brothers and sisterswill be graded on how well they deliver a biographical
to the fashion forefront. Recent polls show that Hipspeech about the icon they are wearing.
Hop gear is the most popular attire for American kidsWho's popular? O.K., so now you're wondering if it is
in their early teens to mid-twenties. Thanks to Hip Hopcool to wear any old black icon on your chest. Well,
pioneers like Russell Simmons, chairman & CEO ofthe answer is yes, but in case you don't want to
Rush Communications, which founded Def Jamchance it, here is a list of some of the more popular
Recordings and Phat Farm Clothing and Seanblack icon tees.
"P-Diddy" Combs, the founder of Bad BoyMusic: Bob Marley, Ray Charles, Aaliyah, Jimi Hendrix,
Entertainment and Sean John Clothing, the Hip HopRick James, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Miles Davis,
lifestyle has gone mainstream. Kids and young adultsTupac. Sports: Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Don
from all over the world are embracing the music,King, Dr. J., 1968 Olympic Protest, Jim Brown. Activists:
clothing, and swaggerous way of living that is Hip Hop.Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks. T.V. &
So who's wearing black icon tees? Everyone...from theMovie Personalities: Richard Pryor, Red Foxx as Fred
girl next door to the biggest names in entertainmentSanford, Jimmy Walker as JJ, Fred Berry as Rerun,
and sports...Rappers, Singers, Actors, Athletes, streetFat Albert.
kids, and even silver spooners are repping theirHow much do the cost and where are they sold?
favorite black icon.These shirts usually cost between $12 on the very low
P. Diddy has been sporting t-shirts embellished withend to $30 on the high end. But the average price for
images of his friend and rap prodigy the late Notoriousa quality tee shirt is about 20 bucks. You'll find these
BIG, since shortly after his death. Diddy has also beenshirts just about anywhere you look. Huge department
known to wear other late greats such as Marvin Gayestores like Target and Wal*Mart carry them, but the
and Jam Master Jay. Rappers The Game and Snoopcooler, more original shirts can be found in the small
Dogg have been photographed wearing their Westboutique type apparel stores in most major cities or on
Coast mentor and friend Tupac Shakur. Producer,the Internet.