The mid-90 paved way to gangsta rap which eventually altered the hip-hop fashion to something which would most recognize the current trends. Hip-hop fashion also plays an important role when it comes to the dichotomy between the urban poor African-American as well as the hetto fabulous?elites of high street shops. The gangsta hip-hop fashion is reported to be influenced by the styles of West Coast street thugs and prison inmates. It may be recognized in the style sense of Chicano gangsters that are frequently seen wearing baggy and dark denim jeans worn low and sagging with out a belt, sporting bandannas on the head while having their health painted with black ink tattoos. Hip-hop fashion could be traced back inside the Bronxreas in New York City where most low-income African-Americans reside. citation

Those who could not afford were conveniently catered by counterfeiters capitalizing on the hip-hop fashion craze. Today, hip-hop fashion is not only prevalent among African-American youth, because it became popularized worldwide by African-American trendsetters in the entertainment scene. Other cultural analysts would say that the sagging, baggy jeans style is brought about by the realities in urban poor communities wherein clothes must be passed down from the eldest member with the family to the youngest sibling to cut on clothing budget. The roots of hiphop fashion are influenced by Africanism and Black Nationalism with the 80 when most hip-hop artists and rappers don themselves with attire, hairstyle and accessories that reflect traditional African themes. Since the media is more hyped on the ghetto fabulous fashion, most African-American youth throughout the States are driven to sport the same expensive attire.

Gangsta fashion is still the name of the overall game but for those that can afford cheap hats,double-breasted suits, bowler hats, silks and alligator-skin shoes, the classic gangster fashion from the Godfather fame is more prevalent than the items discussed threadbare attire. Significant changes in hip-hop styles and trends may be due to such sporadic elements. Down the road, styles and distinctive elements happen to be influenced by the scenes in Los Angeles, Detroit, and Philadelphia among other cities where the hip-hop culture originated. From being a fashion statement that says a lot about idealism and beliefs, it's now apparent how hip-hop fashion has designed a 360 degrees shift to learning to be a fashion trend that emphasizes materialism and consumerism among today youth.