NEWS
Killer Mike has inserted himself into Lil Yachty‘s controversial fashion debate with a reminder about Big Boi‘s history as a trendsetter.
After Yachty ruffled feathers by claiming that Atlanta is responsible for starting all of the current fashion trends and that New York has been biting the city’s style, Mike somewhat defended him by highlighting the A’s long-running sartorial influence.
Crediting the OutKast legend with pioneering one of Hip Hop’s most iconic looks, he wrote on X: “I have Zero Interest in this lame ass debate BUT, Big Boi Started the Throw Back Jersey Trend with that cold ass Houston Astro’s Jersey.”
He added: “Kanye (Atlanta Born) set the record straight on that, God Bless Him. Honorable Mention the ‘Flip Flop’s and Sox’ look was Some shit from the Dungeon Family.”
The Run The Jewels lyricist also shared a screenshot of Big Boi rocking said Astros jersey in Goodie Mob’s “Black Ice (Sky High)” music video in 1998.
After a user pointed out that Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest would often wear sports jerseys before that video came out, Killer Mike clarified: “RIP OG Phife. He was a sports fan and inspired us all[.] with that said the Throw back Era is Something Big Boi who is also like us a Tribe Fan Started in 98 with that Black Ice Vid Houston Jersey. Long Live Tribe and Kast.”
Someone else pointed out that flip flops and socks had been prevelant in L.A. for years, to which Mike replied: “Cannot deny that BUT the Adidas Flop and Sox is what i am referring to not the OG Croaker Flops and House shoes. Adidas Flops and Soccer sox is some Rico Wade (RIP) shit.”
The debate began earlier this week after Lil Yachty said on his A Safe Place Podcast with special guest Cash Cobain: “I feel like New York didn’t have this — I don’t want to say identity — but everyone used to just kinda copy Atlanta. You said it yourself.
“Even, like, the influence was extremely heavy from Atlanta […] As far as style goes, I don’t think it’s shit going on when it comes to New York fashion.”
Lil Boat also took particular aim at people from the Bronx and Queens: “I feel just people on those outskirts — Queens, Bronx — do they even come to [Manhattan to shop]?”
His comments quickly caused a stir among New Yorkers, including fellow rappers Juelz Santana and Fivio Foreign.
“WE all Love Atl But did @lilyachty SAY say the flyes [ninja emoji] N the Most TRENDSETTERS Came from ALT WOW Much love bro,” Juelz wrote on Instagram.
He also highlighted the fashion imprint that both himself and fellow Dipset star Jim Jones have had on Hip Hop culture, as well as the impact of other fashion-forward NYC figures like A$AP Rocky and Fabolous.
Fivio, meanwhile, hit back on X: “How Yatchy say ATL dress better then ny w a whole NY fit.”
Jade Thirlwall has been learning to lean into a softer approach with her voice as she steps into life as a solo performer.
The former Little Mix member shared that she’s been carving out her own sound since the British girl group decided to go on an indefinite break in 2022.
Speaking with ELLE, Jade opened up about discovering that not every track on her debut solo album, That's Showbiz Baby, needed a full vocal showcase.
“That’s what I’ve discovered with this project, especially after Little Mix, is that I don’t always need to give a big vocal moment,” she said. “It’s actually been really nice to understand that part of my voice.”
She pointed to the group’s 2016 single Power, which has at times faced online comments about being a little too intense vocally.
“I’ll scroll through TikTok and see people talk about Power like, ‘These girlies are out here like, AHHH,’” she told the outlet. “Everyone trying to top each other with the loudest note for three minutes straight.”
Although Jade still loves that kind of performance, she said she’s learned the value of holding back.
“I still adore that energy, but it’s been kind of freeing to realise, babe, it doesn’t always need to end with this massive ad-lib run,” she shared.
She also mentioned that her song Angel of My Dreams was first recorded with a much bigger vocal take before she decided to go back and do it in a more relaxed, softer tone.
Jade officially dropped That's Showbiz Baby on 12 September. The record includes 14 tracks, among them IT Girl, Plastic Box, and the lead single Angel of My Dreams.
