Kendrick Lamar making noise with his flared denim jeans wasn’t on our bingo cards. While the Compton MC created headlines performing the Grammy-sweeping "Not Like Us" along with “Euphoria”, Lamar’s sartorial swag was celebrated on social media.
“I think Kendrick Lamar’s jeans are the real MVP,” wrote @sportsiren on X.
“Take note of Kendrick Lamar’s jeans. This is the perfect Jean [sic] and the perfect amount of flare for a guy,” wrote ThisIsCindyLou.
“Are kendrick’s [sic] jeans from american [sic] eagle’s women’s line circa 2007,” typed @thatgirlmoll.
Negative, @thatgirlmoll. Kendrick’s dark union wash jeans are from French fashion house Celine and retail for $1,200. That's a substantial price point given the cost of eggs.
In the 1960s flare jeans began to be coined as a main accessory to the counterculture sentiments floating around the USA. Whether worn by hippies, political rebels, or musicians, flares had a tight hold on Americans. The jeans were an ideogram for fighting back. And Kendrick’s entire performance was intended to push against the powers that be, one of them being Trump who was the first sitting president to attend the game.
Although his denim was the highlight of his outfit (Pay attention to how it elegantly touches the ground, just so.), the rest of his attire was also shining and deserves praise. Lamar wore a custom Martine Rose leather varsity jacket. This bright blue piece had the word ‘Gloria’ embossed on the front, repping the last track on his GNX album. Littered throughout the sleeves and the back were other small easter eggs, one being the logo for PgLang, his creative communications company that he runs with Dave Free.
Kendrick has been known to place hints of symbolism throughout both his songs and performances so it was no surprise that he stepped onto the stage surrounded by a sea of red, white, and blue. Did it represent America. For sure. Could it have also represented the bloods, crips, and signified the peace that Lamar is always seeking for LA gang culture? Also possible,
Kendrick is the ultimate allegory.