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