Which Came First, the Music or the Image?

     One of the most interesting aspects of artists, or anyone in general really, is image control. Your image speaks volumes about you, whether you want it to or not, before you even have a chance to speak.

     Music has influenced fashion, and vice versa predominately over the last century. Hip hop in particular is one of the more interesting case studies to examine with this scenario. Many of the early hip hop styles were created because upcoming artists were making their image off of what they had, with limited resources, shaping a movement and a culture from the 1970s-1990s.

Ice T.

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     This concept however, can be reflected across all genres. Artists want to be perceived in a certain light before the consumer even hears their music. This is what causes the consumer to pick up the artist's album (or click on their link).

L.Trimm

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     It’s a question like “which came first, the chicken or the egg” when asking if fashion or music has a greater influence on the other. It is more like a cycle. Artists wear clothing that is either chosen by their stylists or themselves which has been made by a designer who may or may not have been inspired by today’s music or culture to make that piece of clothing. Keep in mind though, that designers begin working on a design about two years before you will ever see it on a runway. This means that fashion is ahead right? Not really. More important than the design itself, is the manner in which it is presented. This includes not only the styling of an outfit, but the set design of the shoot, the lighting that the photographer chooses, the graphics that are put into the album cover, poster or magazine article and so on.

Eric B & Rakim

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     So in the end, what it really boils down to is an untraceable web of creativity that cycles with gradual variations in evolutionary waves. The process itself is awe-inspiring to study, not to mention the images that it produces for us to identify with on a rapidly increasing basis.

Another interesting article on this subject: Clothing and Society