The Synergy of Style and Sound
Introduction
Welcome to the inaugural issue of “Journal to Growth: About Style,” where we explore the intersection of culture, business, and technology. As we embark on this journey together, I’m thrilled to explore the stories and trends shaping our industries and defining our cultural landscape.
Long-time followers know that our podcast is also named Journal to Growth. The unified naming of this newsletter is intentional as it directly connects the various mediums of materials we produce to form a single multimedia club for everyone. Journal to Growth is about connecting the dots between life and business to help you navigate this world with greater comfort and ease than you might otherwise.
In this first issue, let’s explore a topic that’s as timeless as it is contemporary: the powerful synergy between music and fashion. This relationship has fueled cultural movements for decades, influencing what we wear and how we express ourselves to connect with the world around us.
The Cultural Dance Between Music and Fashion
From the rebellious leather jackets of rock ‘n’ roll to the avant-garde designs embraced by hip-hop artists, music and fashion have always been intertwined. This connection goes beyond mere aesthetics; it’s about identity, rebellion, and the desire to belong to something greater than ourselves.
Those of you who know me remember that in my blog Socioeconomic Lessons from Big Sean’s Detroit 2, I analyze Deep Reverence by Big Sean, featuring the late Nipsey Hussle as an example of black placemaking and its sociopolitical significance. Within the piece, I explain that double meanings are a longstanding tradition of African American musical heritage and that their use extends to many popular genres today.
In the music video, Big Sean uses colors and vivid imagery as a call signal to the population likely missing Nipsey the most: Los Angeles, California. The use of a golden yellow in combination with several hues of blue reminds me of the diametric pair of primary colors, the Rams logo, and the Detroit Lions uniform.
These next few paragraphs go further to connect music and fashion to the socioeconomic pulse of the United States and applicable foreign influences, which we’ll continue to discuss in later newsletter releases.
Let’s Explore Human Expression
Fashion as a Visual Language
Fashion has long been a way for musicians to communicate their message visually. Think of the punk movement of the 1970s, where ripped clothing and safety pins became symbols of anti-establishment attitudes. Or the rise of hip-hop in the 1980s, when streetwear brands like Adidas and later luxury labels became synonymous with the genre’s growing influence.
In each case, fashion is more than just clothing—it’s a visual language that conveys the ethos of the music and the values of its followers. Musicians, in turn, have become cultural icons for their sound and style, influencing millions of fans and spawning entire fashion trends.
Music as a Catalyst for Fashion Trends
On the other hand, music also profoundly influences fashion trends. Designers often look to the music scene, drawing inspiration from its energy, attitude, and visuals. The runway becomes a stage where the cultural vibrations of music are translated into fabric and form.
One of my favorite songs from Beyoncé’s Rennaisance album is Cozy. Within it, she asserts herself as a confident and capable Black woman. Perhaps that’s why I find her collaboration with Olivier Rousteing from Balmain so very breathtaking.
My favorite song, however, is Church Girl. As a Southern girl from Florida, I feel represented in the way she connects dancing, laughter, a driven nature, and having a good time to living the best life you can. It’s upbeat, fun, and healing.
“Comfortable in my skin
Cozy with who I am
Comfortable in my skin (cozy, cozy)
Comfortable in my skin
Feet up above your sins
I love myself, goddamn (cozy, cozy)”
In yet another contrast, while Renaissance uses haute couture and the pursuit of pleasurable experiences to celebrate individuality, companionship, and the perks of being a billionaire, her following album, Cowboy Carter, highlights what unifies a melting pot of origin stories across economic brackets and American culture.
The juxtaposition of living high in the clouds and staying down to Earth adds to Beyonce’s complex and captivating acts of self-expression. We are many things, and our choice of clothing and captions help us showcase what we most identify with day to day.
Take, for example, the glam rock era, where artists like David Bowie influenced designers to embrace bold, androgynous styles. Or the 90s grunge movement, where the music of Nirvana and Pearl Jam (but, really, Jane’s Addiction) gave rise to the popularity of flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and combat boots—a look that was as much about comfort as it was about defiance.
