Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

6-2026

Document Type

Master's Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Program

Liberal Studies

Advisor

Eugenia Paulicelli

Keywords

Fashion, Style, Music, Hip-Hop, Luxury

Abstract

Black creative thought is often regarded as a secondary means of expression, particularly within a meritocracy like the United States of America. Many Black intellectual thinkers and writers undoubtedly communicated with a style and prose that was widely understood amongst people of the culture. One of these creative communicating styles is the art of hip-hop and the use of language to tell a story. Born out of struggle in the 1970s, this musical derivative from funk, soul, and jazz penetrated the inner city communities and forced the upper class to listen to words from Black artists. Hip-hop initially represented four pillars: the MC (microphone checker / master of ceremony), the DJ (disc jockey), graffiti and breakdance. The MC evolved into the contemporary “rapper” - who developed a sly approach and used wit to make words rhyme. By the 1990s, rap music began to produce more explicit gangster-rap lyrics and became intentional

in its rhyming delivery. Its ability to penetrate a global market and influence a wide variety of cultures has always been a testament to its potency. However, what is not widely discussed is the cultural ramifications that certain lyrical messages create - in particular - a consumer behavior amongst the Black community with regard to fanaticism with luxury fashion. My capstone offers a look through the prism of three artistic forms: writing, music and performance - in an attempt to fully understand the critical relationship between luxury fashion and rap music, in addition to the historical use of rap lyrics to influence culture. This project is uniquely positioned to discuss the elements of luxury fashion and luxury rap simply because it has not yet been widely explored. Currently, my career as a music producer and fashion director also gives me the validity to have this discussion. This capstone project will combine several art forms in order to depict, display, and describe the influences of rap culture and its obsession with luxury fashion. Ultimately, the project will highlight specific brands and artists who have contributed to this conversation but have not explored deep into the consequences and issues that these relationships create. This creative project also explores the psychological reasoning behind certain attractions and fetishes towards clothing, silhouettes, and logos - as well as the reasoning behind the behavior of fanaticism and consumer spending.

Comments

II. Lyrics & Luxury: The Documentary can be accessed at the following link: https://youtu.be/0zCx4Ao1Z3k?si=lzaIgJGsftsEXU8L

III. Lyrics & Luxury: The Album can be accessed at the following link: https://on.soundcloud.com/ylTwJbcwqEJ4ZNg06F

IV. Lyrics & Luxury: The Album can be accessed at the following link: https://youtu.be/iC79mMkWKfw?si=_vhllT0UO68qFmjm

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