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.”
NEWS
During a recent appearance on The Leona Graham Podcast, Embrace frontman Danny McNamara looked back on the unusual story behind the band's 2004 single "Gravity," a song that was ultimately handed over to them by Coldplay singer Chris Martin.
"The Gravity story, it all starts on Angelina Jolie's spaceship," McNamara explained. The memorable moment happened around two decades ago in the parking area of a major film studio just outside London. Coldplay had been visiting the set of the sci fi adventure film The Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow when the two musicians found themselves sitting atop a giant replica spacecraft. "Me and Chris from Coldplay, we were sat on this huge mock-up of a spaceship... about the size of about five double-decker buses. It was like gold and green and red, and we were sat on it in the car park in the midday sun playing each other songs on an acoustic guitar."
After McNamara played Martin a new Embrace song called "Ashes," the Coldplay frontman returned the favour by sharing a track that had not yet been released. "He played me 'Gravity.' And I just thought, 'Wow, that's like an amazing song.' It's up there with like 'Fix You' or 'The Scientist.' For me, it's like one of the best ballads they've ever written."
Some time later, McNamara received a surprise phone call from Martin late one evening. Gwyneth Paltrow, who was married to the singer at the time, could be heard encouraging him in the background. "Gwyneth was in the background saying, 'Go on, ask him. Ask him.' So anyway, he says, 'You know Gravity?' And I said, 'Yeah.' He said, 'Do you want it?'"
At first, McNamara was reluctant to accept the offer because he worried the attention surrounding Martin's involvement might take focus away from Embrace's comeback album, Out of Nothing. "My thought was like, 'I don't want this to be overshadowed by Chris offering us this song,' so initially I was sort of thinking no. But then I thought, 'Hang on a minute. He's the biggest rock star in the world. What are you doing?'" Curious about why Martin was willing to part with the song, he asked him directly and was told, "Well, I think it sounds too much like Embrace for us to use."
The experience only strengthened the admiration McNamara has held for Martin over the years. Rejecting the common perception that the Coldplay star is predictable or ordinary, he described him as one of the most captivating people he has ever encountered. "That guy is one of the most interesting, charismatic and fun to be around people I've ever met, if not the most," McNamara stated. "I've met a lot of people in my life, a lot of people even more famous than him, and he is far and away the most interesting person. Whenever he's there, I just stand back and just like let him shine. I love him to bits."
