Rappers with Painted Nails: A Growing Trend in Hip-Hop
Rappers with painted nails. It’s definitely a trend that is on the rise with more and more male rappers choosing to express themselves in a way that has long been considered a feminine aesthetic. But how and when did this growing trend get started in hip hop? Who are some of the early adopters, and why do they choose to adopt this sign of expression? And this trend isn’t without controversy, as negative opinions have filled the comment sections of some of these rappers. The “issue” of rappers with painted nails has definitely started conversations and debates about the ways that people choose to express themselves in hip hop. Let’s get into it.
The Rise of Nail Polish in Hip-Hop
Men wearing nail polish is not new. And if we look at it historically, male Babylonian warriors wore ground minerals on their nails around 3500 BC. It was reportedly part of a pre-battle ritual to intimidate their enemies. Ancient Egyptians used henna to dye their nails, and ancient Greeks wore a mix of yellow flower petals, pollen, and potassium salt to color their nails. (University of Rochester Medical Center)
While men wearing nail polish isn’t new, the rise of it in hip hop, and the attention it’s gotten, is relatively new. If we go back to the 80s, David Bowie wore nail polish, and in the 90s it was worn by Kurt Cobain and Dennis Rodman. So who are the rappers with painted nails?
Notable Rappers Who Paint Their Nails
Not only are some of these male rappers wearing nail polish, some have even started their own lines of polish. A$AP Rocky, Lil Yachty, Kid Cudi, Tyler, The Creator, Drake, Post Malone, Lil Nas X, and Machine Gun Kelly have all confidently rocked painted nails. In a 2019 interview with Vogue, A$AP Rocky said this, “I feel like men should be able to do nail art without feeling feminine.” Rocky is also known to use nail decals as well, and has even encouraged other rappers to paint their nails.
Lil Yachty was one of the people Rocky inspired to get manicures and clear polish. In a GQ interview, he said, “I started doing it about three or four years ago,” he said. “I got compliments instantly. I felt clean. My nails weren’t dirty and nasty. I felt more mature.” Then, during the pandemic, he decided to dig deeper and a nail tech named Rosa Yee DM’d him a manicure offer. Here was the result.
Lil Yachty even had his own polish line called Crete. Tyler, The Creator and Machine Gun Kelly did the same. We not only have rappers with painted nails, we have rappers painting other’s nails.
Public Reaction and Controversy
Of course you know that the topic of rappers with painted nails isn’t without controversy. Fat Joe was one person who was outspoken about his thoughts on the topic. On an Instagram Live back in April, he talked about rappers doing it for attention and record sales. He went on to say, “It feels like it’s been a new trend, new swag, a new style. Paint your nails, use a bag, wear a dress. I wonder if in my era, if it would be accepted like that if it was a trend. It would blow my mind to see what rapper would do that. I’m just saying, in my era, I don’t think we would have seen that.”
He also insinuated a connection between painted nails and sexuality when he talked about not having a problem with anyone being gay, but doesn’t understand current rappers who identify as straight but are “painting their nails or they walking with Birkin bags.” (Black Enterprise)
Meanwhile DJ Akademiks stirred the pot posting Drake wearing yellow nail polish, and let’s just say, the comment section was a mess!
The trend of rappers with painted nails isn’t going anywhere, nor should it. In fact, it looks like it could be adopted by more rappers, and even if it isn’t, could just become common sight that we don’t even think twice about. It’s a way of expression, and for a cultural movement that was built on elements like self-expression, liberation, and social consciousness, it only makes sense that rappers with painted nails gives us pause, and forces us to take a look at ourselves and why we would fight against this foundation. And as rapper Trippie Redd said, “It’s a way of expressing ur feelings. Being true to your self and self care.” Like it or not, rappers with painted nails are here to stay!
