Fashion has always been a core pillar of Hip-Hop culture, shaping how artists present themselves and how their music is received.
Long before runways caught on, Hip-Hop set trends, turning winter style into another form of self-expression. From heavy coats, boots, and layered outerwear worn by artists shaped by Northeastern and Midwestern winters, to the lighter, more relaxed cold-weather fits favored in the South and on the West Coast, regional climate has long influenced aesthetic choices.
Styles may shift, and brands may change, but the flavor and originality that our favorite hitmakers have brought to the fashion world cannot be understated. The clothes an artist wears function as both armor and storytelling, reflecting who they are, where they’re from, and what their music represents. And over the years, we’ve seen numerous stars rocking threads to turn heads, regardless of the weather, proving that Hip-Hop remains one of the most fashion-forward forces in culture.
With artists and fans reminiscing about 2016 and the landmark events that year, VIBE looks back at the best outfits our favorite music stars wore a decade ago.
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Rihanna

Image Credit: Kris Connor/WireImage Rihanna attends FENTY x PUMA by Rihanna at 23 Wall Street on February 12, 2016 in New York City.
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J. Cole

Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/WireImage Rapper J Cole performs onstage at Exposition Park on February 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Chance The Rapper

Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Chance The Rapper performs at Justin Bieber’s 2016 Purpose World Tour at Staples Center on March 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Lil Yachty

Image Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images Rapper Lil Yachty performs at the closing night of The Illmore SXSW 2016 after party at Saengerrunde Hall & Scholz Garden on March 19, 2016 in Austin, Texas.
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Lil Jon

Image Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Spike TV Rapper Lil Jon attends Spikes “Bar Rescue” 100th Episode Celebration with Jon Taffer at STK Midtown on March 1, 2016 in New York City.
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Mariah Carey

Image Credit: Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle/GC Images Mariah Carey seen leaving The Corinthia Hotel on March 17, 2016 in London, England.
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Eve

Image Credit: Matteo Valle/Getty Images Rapper Eve is seen backstage ahead of the Richmond show during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2016/17 on February 28, 2016 in Milan, Italy.
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Vince Staples

Image Credit: Anna Webber/Getty Images for Spotify Vince Staples performs at The Spotify House, SXSW 2016, on March 15, 2016 in Austin, Texas.
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Action Bronson

Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/WireImage Rapper Action Bronson performs onstage at Exposition Park on February 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Erykah Badu

Image Credit: Randy Shropshire/Getty Images Singer/actress Erykah Badu attends the Getty Images Portrait Studio Lounge hosted by Eddie Bauer during the 2016 Sundance Film Festival at Village at The Lift on January 25, 2016 in Park City, Utah.
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Nick Cannon

Image Credit: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for DuJour Rapper Nick Cannon attends as Jason Binn of DuJour celebrates January cover star Nick Cannon with Elite Daily, Related Rentals, Invicta and Philipp Plein at PHD Terrace at Dream Midtown on February 19, 2016 in New York City.
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French Montana

Image Credit: John Shearer/WireImage Rapper French Montana attends The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Rapsody

Image Credit: Jeff Vespa/WireImage Rapper Rapsody attends The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Missy Elliott

Image Credit: John Shearer/Getty Images for Kitty Purry, Inc. Rapper Missy Elliott attends The Creators Party, Presented by Spotify, Cicada, Los Angeles at Cicada on February 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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MGK

Image Credit: Vincent Sandoval/WireImage Rapper Machine Gun Kelly attends OK! Magazine’s Annual Pre GRAMMY party at Lure on February 12, 2016 in Hollywood, California.
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Usher

Image Credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images Singer/songwriter Usher attends the 2016 “Tina Brown Live Media’s American Justice Summit” at Gerald W. Lynch Theatre on January 29, 2016 in New York City.
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Foxy Brown

Image Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic Rapper Foxy Brown is seen outside FENTY PUMA by Rihanna AW16 Collection fashion show during Fall 2016 New York Fashion Week on February 12, 2016 in New York City.
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Wale

Image Credit: Kris Connor/WireImage Rapper Wale attends FENTY x PUMA by Rihanna at 23 Wall Street on February 12, 2016 in New York City.
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Fat Joe

Image Credit: Matthew Eisman/FilmMagic Rapper Fat Joe attends Rookie USA Presents Kids Rock! – Front Row & Backstage – Fall 2016 New York Fashion Week: The Shows at The Dock, Skylight at Moynihan Station on February 11, 2016 in New York City.
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Ne-Yo

Image Credit: Kris Connor/WireImage Rapper Ne-yo attends FENTY x PUMA by Rihanna at 23 Wall Street on February 12, 2016 in New York City.
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MC Lyte

Image Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Rapper MC Lyte attends the ESSENCE 7th annual Black Women In Music event at Avalon Hollywood on February 11, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Tyga

Image Credit: Marc Piasecki/GC Images Rapper Michael Ray Nguyen-Stevenson a.k.a. ‘Tyga’ arrives to attend the ‘Kanye West Yeezy Season 3’ at Madison Square Garden on February 11, 2016 in New York City.
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Kehlani

Image Credit: John Shearer/WireImage Recording artist Kehlani attends The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Lil’ Kim

Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Yeezy Season 3 Rapper Lil’ Kim appears during Kanye West Yeezy Season 3 on February 11, 2016 in New York City.
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2 Chainz

Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Yeezy Season 3 Rapper 2 Chainz attends Kanye West Yeezy Season 3 on February 11, 2016 in New York City.
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Diddy

Image Credit: Donato Sardella/WireImage Designer Jennifer Meyer (L) and rapper Sean “Puffy” Combs attend the Superga XO Jennifer Meyer Collection Launch Celebration at Chateau Marmont on February 9, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Kanye West

Image Credit: Raymond Hall/GC Images Rapper Kanye West is seen in Soho February 8, 2016 in New York City
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Andre 3000

Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images Rapper Andre 3000 of Outkast attends Grammy Nomination Celebration for Kawan “KP” Prather at 925 Scales on February 8, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Salt-N-Pepa

Image Credit: Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic Sandra Denton (L) and Cheryl James of the rap group Salt-N-Pepa attend “Deadpool” Fan Event at AMC Empire Theatre on February 8, 2016 in New York City.
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Mary J. Blige

Image Credit: Allen Berezovsky/WireImage Recording artist Mary J. Blige attends the U.S. Premiere of Debbie Allen’s “Freeze Frame” at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 4, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
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50 Cent

Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Playboy Rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent arrives at The Playboy Party during Super Bowl Weekend on February 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California.
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Iggy Azalea

Image Credit: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Rapper Iggy Azalea attends the Sports Illustrated Experience Friday Night Party on February 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California.
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Ludacris

Image Credit: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Haute Living Rapper Ludacris attends Haute Living And Louis XIII Celebrate Jim Brown’s 80th Birthday on February 4, 2016 in San Francisco, California.
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Migos

Image Credit: gotpap/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images Kiari ‘Offset’ Cephus, Kirshnik ‘Takeoff’ Ball and Quavious ‘Quavo’ Marshall of Migos are seen on January 28, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Sleepy Brown

Image Credit: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images Singer/songwriter Sleepy Brown attends the grand opening of the Jabbawockeez dance crew’s show “JREAMZ” at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on February 19, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Bas

Image Credit: Timothy Norris/Getty Images Bas performs at Exposition Park on February 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Young Thug

Image Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage Rapper Young Thug attends Rick Ross Private Birthday Affair at Rick Ross Mansion on January 28, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Ice-T

Image Credit: Tom Briglia/WireImage Ice-T & Coco host The Pool After Dark, Harrah’s Atlantic City on Saturday March 12, 2016 in Atlantic City, United States.
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Rick Ross

Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for The Vanity Group Rick Ross attends Rick Ross’ 40th Birthday Celebration on January 28, 2016 in Fayetteville, Georgia.
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Beyoncé

Image Credit: Mark Davis/WireImage Singer/songwriter Beyoncé attends The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Yo Gotti

Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for The Vanity Group Yo Gotti attends Rick Ross’ 40th Birthday Celebration on January 28, 2016 in Fayetteville, Georgia.
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Ace Hood

Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for The Vanity Group Ace Hood attends Rick Ross’ 40th Birthday Celebration January 28, 2016 in Fayetteville, Georgia.
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Kevin Gates

Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images Rapper Kevin Gates attends Kevin Gates Lounge at DTLR on January 27, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Nas

Image Credit: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Acura Rapper Nas attends “The Land” party at The Acura Studio at Sundance Film Festival 2016 on January 25, 2016 in Park City, Utah.
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Waka Flocka and Tammy Rivera

Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images Rapper Waka Flocka Flame (L) and his wife Tammy Rivera attend the 2016 Adult Video News Awards at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on January 23, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Travis Scott

Image Credit: Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images Rapper Travis Scott attends the Givenchy Menswear Fall/Winter 2016-2017 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 22, 2016 in Paris, France.
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Jazmine Sullivan

Image Credit: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET Singer/Songwriter Jazmine Sullivan attends the BET Music Matters Grammy Showcase at W Hollywood on February 13, 2016 in Hollywood, California.
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Ja Rule

Image Credit: David Becker/WireImage Rapper Ja Rule arrives at the afterparty for Jennifer Lopez’s residency “JENNIFER LOPEZ: ALL I HAVE” on January 20, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Pras

Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images Rapper Pras of the Fugees attends the launch of Jennifer Lopez’s residency “JENNIFER LOPEZ: ALL I HAVE” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 20, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Fabolous

Image Credit: Robert Kamau/GC Images Fabolous the Rapper seen at JFK Airport on January 17, 2016 in New York City.
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Post Malone

Image Credit: Mindy Small/FilmMagic Rapper Post Malone arrives at 1 OAK Nightclub at The Mirage Hotel & Casino on January 16, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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KRS-One

Image Credit: Steve Zak Photography/Getty Images Rapper KRS-One promotes his new book “The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument” on January 14, 2016 in New York City.
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FERG

Image Credit: Mat Hayward/Getty Images A$AP Ferg performs on stage during the ‘When It’s Dark Out’ tour at WaMu Theater on January 7, 2016 in Seattle, Washington.
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Alicia Keys

Image Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images Alicia Keys performs on Super Bowl Eve at Super Bowl City on February 6, 2016 in San Francisco, California.
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Romeo Miller

Image Credit: Paras Griffin/FilmMagic Rapper/actor Romeo Miller attends “Growing Up Hip Hop” Atlanta premiere at SCADshow on January 5, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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YFN Lucci

Image Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage Rapper YFN Lucci attends a Party at Medusa Lounge on November 5, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Latto

Image Credit: Marcus Ingram/Getty Images Rap artist Miss Mulatto attends the Lifetime premiere of ‘The Rap Game’ screening at Suite Lounge on January 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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apl.de.ap.

Image Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Rapper apl.de.ap. arrives at the 2016 Oscar Salute after party hosted by Kevin Hart at W Hollywood on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California.
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Ryan Lewis and Macklemore

Image Credit: Frederick M. Brown/DCNYRE2016/Getty Images for dcp Producer Ryan Lewis (L) and rapper Macklemore attend Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2016 on December 31, 2015 in Los Angeles, CA.
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Flavor Flav

Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images Rapper Flavor Flav dances in the stands during a game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Kent State Golden Flashes during the 2015 Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on December 23, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Future

Image Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage Rapper Future attends a Winter Wonderland at Bessie Branham Park on December 20, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Andra Day

Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Recording artist Andra Day performs onstage during The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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T.I.

Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images Rapper T.I. attends T.I. & Tameka “Tiny” Harris Private Baby Shower on March 6, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Flo Rida

Image Credit: Tom Briglia/WireImage Flo Rida performs at The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s Resort on Wednesday March 02, 2016 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
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Fetty Wap

Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images Rapper Fetty Wrap performs onstage at The Forum on February 28, 2016 in Inglewood, California.
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Snoop Dogg

Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images Rapper Snoop Dogg performs onstage at The Forum on February 28, 2016 in Inglewood, California.
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Big Sean

Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images Rapper Big Sean poses on the red carpet at The Forum on February 28, 2016 in Inglewood, California.
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Big Boi

Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/WireImage Rapper Big Boi of Outkast performs onstage with Big Grams at Exposition Park on February 21, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Teyana Taylor

Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage Recording artist Teyana Taylor backstage at S.O.B.’s on February 11, 2016 in New York City.
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Danny Brown

Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/WireImage Rapper Danny Brown performs onstage at Exposition Park on February 21, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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RZA

Image Credit: TIBRINA HOBSON/AFP via Getty Images US hip hop artist and actor Robert Fitzgerald Diggs aka RZA poses as he arrives to attend the Warner Music After Party, in Hollywood, California, on February 16, 2016.
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A$AP Rocky

Image Credit: Jeff Vespa/WireImage Hip-hop artist ASAP Rocky attends The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Common

Image Credit: VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images Hip Hop nartist Common arrives on the red carpet during the 58th Annual Grammy Music Awards in Los Angeles February 15, 2016.
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Vic Mensa

Image Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic Hip-hop artist Vic Mensa is seen outside the Alexander Wang Fall 2016 fashion show during New York Fashion Week at St. Bartholomew’s Church on February 13, 2016 in New York City.
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G-Eazy

Image Credit: Jesse Grant/WireImage Hip-hop artist G-Eazy attends the Westwood One Radio Remotes during The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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SZA

Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for FENTY PUMA SZA attends the FENTY PUMA by Rihanna AW16 Collection during Fall 2016 New York Fashion Week at 23 Wall Street on February 12, 2016 in New York City.
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LL Cool J

Image Credit: Vivien Killilea/WireImage Hip-hop artist LL Cool J attends the GRAMMY Gift Lounge during The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 12, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Too $hort

Image Credit: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Professional Bowlers Association Rapper Too Short attends the CP3 PBA Celebrity Invitational Charity Bowling Tournament presented by GoBowling.com at Lucky Strike Lanes at L.A. Live on February 23, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Ice Cube

Image Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards Hip-hop artist Ice Cube accepts award for Outstanding Motion Picture for ‘Straight Outta Compton’ onstage during the 47th NAACP Image Awards presented by TV One at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 5, 2016 in Pasadena, California.
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Joey Bada$$

Image Credit: Andrew Toth/Getty Images Hip hop artist Joey Badass is seen front row during Rochambeau New York Fashion Week Men’s Fall/Winter 2016 at Skylight at Clarkson Sq on February 4, 2016 in New York City.
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Wiz Khalifa

Image Credit: Rob Kim/Getty Images Wiz Khalifa visits Hip Hop Nation at SiriusXM Studios on February 2, 2016 in New York City.
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Kash Doll

Image Credit: Jenny Anderson/Getty Images Hip-hop artist Kash Doll visits Music Choice on January 29, 2016 in New York City.
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Swizz Beatz

Image Credit: Michael Stewart/FilmMagic Hip-Hop artist Swizz Beatz attends the Vandal Grand Opening at Vandal on January 15, 2016 in New York City.
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Janelle Monae

Image Credit: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage Recording artist Janelle Monae attends the 2016 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring Irving Azoff at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 14, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.
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Kendrick Lamar

Image Credit: Douglas Gorenstein/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images Hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar during an interview on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ on January 7, 2016.
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Meek Mill

Image Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images Hip-hop artist Meek Mill is seen arriving at a Teen Shelter on December 23, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Young Dolph

Image Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage Young Dolph attends His Album Release Party at Soho Lounge on February 29, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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The Weeknd

Image Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage The Weeknd arrives at the The Daily Front Row “Fashion Los Angeles Awards” 2016 at Sunset Tower Hotel on March 20, 2016 in West Hollywood, California.
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Miguel

Image Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage Singer Miguel attends the Saint Laurent show at The Hollywood Palladium on February 10, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Playboi Carti

Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage Recording artist Playboi Carti backstage at S.O.B.’s on February 24, 2016 in New York City.
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Chris Brown

Image Credit: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images Chris Brown attends the Givenchy show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2016/2017 on March 6, 2016 in Paris, France.
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Cardi B

Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images TV personality Cardi B attends Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show at Georgia World Congress Center on February 20, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Drake

Image Credit: Noel Vasquez/GC Images Drake attends a basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 21, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
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Jay-Z

Image Credit: Noel Vasquez/GC Images Jay-Z attend a basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
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Mac Miller

Image Credit: FilmMagic/FilmMagic for Okeechobee Mac Miller performs on stage at the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival, Day 3, on March 5, 2016 in Okeechobee, Florida.
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Tory Lanez

Image Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images Tory Lanez performs at The Spotify House on March 14, 2016 in Austin, Texas.
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Kelela

Image Credit: Roger Kisby/Getty Images Kelela attends the FADER FORT presented by Converse during SXSW on March 19, 2016 in Austin, Texas.
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Anderson Paak

Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage Anderson Paak attends S.O.B.’s on February 4, 2016 in New York City.
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Cozz

Image Credit: Brent N. Clarke/Getty Images Rap artist Cozz visits Music Choice on February 16, 2016 in New York City.
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Leon Bridges

Image Credit: Erika Goldring/Getty Images Leon Bridges performs at Ryman Auditorium on March 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee.





































































































