Shirt Kings

In the mid-80s, Jamaica, Queens was the spot. Rappers, celebs, and hip hop heads from all over NYC came to the Shirt Kings at the Coliseum Mall to get custom airbrushed tees—bright, bold, and totally original.

Taking graffiti from the trains to T-shirts, the Shirt Kings created a whole new look for hip hop. Their cartoon-style designs—Mickey in a Fila suit, Casper with gold teeth, Pink Panther rocking chains—blew up on album covers and in music videos, becoming part of the culture.

Shirt Kings: Pioneers of Hip Hop Fashion dives into their story through the archive of founding artist Edwin “PHADE” Sacasa. It’s a tribute to the art, the style, and the scene that made Shirt Kings legends.

Now back in print for hip hop’s 50th anniversary—grab the softcover and step back into the era when streetwear was born.

Paperback
Published by: Dokument Press
Author: Edwin Sacasa & Alain Mariduena
Size: 170 x 230cm
Pages: 144
Year: 2023