Boxer Shorts and The Gangsta Rap Culture
One of the things that has been a highlight in Hip Hop and Gangsta Rap Culture in the West has been the dominance of what the Hip Hoppers wear. But what’s not really apparent is that the underwear of choice among the Rapsters has been Boxer Shorts, i.e., what you see when their shorts are hanging over the middle of the rear. That’s where this writer comes in to play.
It may already be apparent that I really don’t understand the need for Gangsta Rapper to parade around with shorts that hang so far down past their hips. Occasionally I hear humorous anecdotal evidence of those who burglarize businesses trying to flee and falling flat on their noses because the shorts they wore for their caper slid down their legs and tripped them. Of course it’s not humorous for those who get busted that way but that’s the good and bad of that culture.
In my countless observations, I’ve seen plenty of plain-colored boxer shorts. I haven’t run across a lot of fashion and design in that area. Why haven’t boxer shorts retailers capitalized on that fact and marketed Hip Hop fashion for the boxer shorts. Perhaps I can start a movement towards that end. A little variety could go a long way.
One thing I’ve observed when those outer shorts hang low is that most of the boxer shorts are made of cotton. Silk material does not seem to be a good option for undergarments under outer shorts (with no belt) as it would produce rapid slippage. I don’t know this for a fact, but it would appear that nothing’s worse than having your boxer shorts slip down rapidly when you’re trying to have a friendly motivational discussion with like-minded friends.
Of course, a discussion on the merits and disadvantages of boxer shorts that Gangsta Rappers wear would not be totally complete if I didn’t at least address the subject of belts, the Hip Hop variety. I’ll forgo a bit of political correctness here, and suggest that a cheapo belt would sure seem like a practical accessory to buy when combined with a fashionable designer baseball hat ($20-30) turned sideways on your head, draping tons of bling bling gold necklaces around the neck, and a $20 all white t-shirt (prominently showing your tattooed and bulging muscles). Certainly fifteen dollars (and upwards) for a leather belt might be the next fashion statement, especially if you’re grabbing and fleeing with some extra cash from an unwilling source.
One of these belts, even one that is wrapped tightly around your mid-thighs, could be the difference between a thousand dollars from a liquor store and 10-15 years in a Federal Prison. Perhaps I’m in the wrong market completely.
Gangsta, Hip Hop, or Rap Culture is here to stay. I’m not trying to change any of that. However, if only a young entrepreneur were to analyze the market and create a new multi-billion dollar industry: the Gangsta Rap Belt Industry, that would be my reward.