Neo soul fashion on a rise ? Written by Jaz
Neo soul was the soundtrack to your mother and father’s black love story, your political voice for the black community, and just the all around black women soundtrack to life! I grow up in the era where Neo soul was at its most high in records sales! From the early 90’s we were introduced to these staggering artist. Artist like the Fugees, Maxwell, Lauryn Hill and so many more that paved the way for powerful black men and afro-centric women. Neo soul fashion started out with just a bunch of black men and women and artist happily embracing their culture and having love for one another. It gave a power platform for African Americans to speak what was on their mind through life and in the entertainment industry. Did I mention the men and women in the industry not only inspire others that wasn’t celebrities to embark on the trendy fashion.
When Kedar Massenburg, music industry entrepreneur and Motown former president marketed the genre Neo soul; Massenburg not only marketed a genre for great rappers, singers, and poets . With artists soulful lyrics,angelic voices,and power rhythms that was destined to heard. The fashion is what turned head in music video and red carpets and for award shows.
Erykah Badu unique head wraps to Lauryn Hill and Indie Arie naturally embracing their own hair, the Neo soul fashion gave black men and women a sense of self freedom to actually say hey this is my hair this is my style get over it !! The early 2000’s we had powerful women and men on tv shows, movies,also in the modeling industry, We even have tv network called BET (black entertainment television) to show us the black girl magic style and identity that black women was searching for! Women like Tracey Ellis-Ross giving us all types of Afro-centric vibes with her own little twist of sexy and confident diva . Ya ya DaCosta from America’s Next Top Model. Ripping every runaway in her natural hair and, also off the runway in her tribal dress. Not thinking twice about what the masses of the industry say “is unprofessional”. Tv shows like girlfriends, singers like Jill Scott, and actors like Jada Pinkett Smith all broke barriers for Neo soul, music. But emerged into a powerful fashion statement!
Neo soul and its fashion trends began to decline. After the early 2000’s Tv shows started to get canceled with the everyday,hardworking successful black women as the leading roles. Only very few Neo soul artist continue on with the movement. Only a few televisions networks continue to give the fashion and trail blazing music a spotlight. Instead platform such as MTV, E news and other networks decry the fashion and music instead of embracing it.
Since 2016-2018, I've noticed with the black girl magic movement, Neo soul fashion has became once again the talk of the town in urban community fashion. To the tribal skirts, the melanin popping shirt, and hair wraps that ARE WRAPS TO THE GODS !!! You can even see some inspiring looking in tv show again for example insecure with actor Issa Rae. She embodies the look and attitude of everyday black Afrocentric women on and off the tv screen. Singer song-writer Alicia Key who will now only embrace her natural skin and hair. By refusing to let magazine companies photoshop and alter her natural looks. Even smooth men like Ne-yo, Dewle, Anthony Hamilton,and Andre 3000. Who gives just the right amount of Neo soul swagger on the stage and on red carpets. That inspire great urban outfits for men on any social occasion.
The head wraps and Afrocentric looks are more than just fashion. It’s a reminder of our roots and where we came from.its a celebration for our history in a American and our integrity in a land that isn’t really the free for African American.Neo soul genre and its marvelous styles are something that every black man and women of today should have to look fly and turn heads at any party! It’s so many new styles when it come to the Neo soul fashion trend. You have Solange Knowles and Lisa bonnet with a Bohemian more centric look. H.E.R with her modern day Neo soul look. Ava DuVernay and Vola Davis slaying with their business chic Neo soul look on red carpet. While kicking down barriers with Afro style on Emmy winning, and Oscar nominated tv show, and movies. There are also classic male looks like dwele, Yasin Bey, Common, and the roots to keep you looking sexy chic and nerd fine !!! Neo soul fashion illustrate gorgeous styles and made statements throughout the years in the entertainment industry. Let’s hope the style and the confidence in women and men to embrace themselves for who they are is here to stay!
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