Winter fashion in Hip-Hop has always been about more than just bundling up—it’s a chance to stunt, to rep your block, and to make bold statements without saying a word. From the oversized puffer jackets and classic Timberlands that ruled the ‘90s to the luxury designer collabs that people still flex today, winter gear in Hip-Hop has never been just about practicality. It’s an evolution of style, culture, and the hustle.
Take a rugged Carhartt work jacket or a cozy North Face fleece—Hip-Hop’s never been shy about mixing function with fashion, making sure you look fresh while staying warm. In this feature, we’re throwin’ it back to 2000, a year when Hip-Hop legends were setting the tone for the dopest winter fits. We’re diving into the brands, the layers, and the statements that had the streets on lock back then.
VIBE’s got the rundown on the winter gear your favorite rappers were rockin’ in the winter of 2000—let’s step into that era and salute the icons who made the cold season look hot.
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JAY-Z
Image Credit: Martin Godwin/Getty Images American rapper Jay-Z poses for a portrait on February 11, 2000 in a hotel in London, UK.
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Common
Image Credit: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Rapper Common (Lonnie Corant Jaman Shuka Rashid Lynn) signs autographs and greets fans at George’s Music Room in Chicago, Illinois in March 2000.
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Trina
Image Credit: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Rapper Trina (Katrina Laverne Taylor) poses for photos during her album release party in Chicago, Illinois in March 2000.
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Yasiin Bey
Image Credit: Anthony Barboza/Getty Images Portrait of American rapper and actor Mos Def, New York, 2000.
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DJ Quik
Image Credit: Gregory Bojorquez/Getty Images Rapper and producer DJ Quik in 2000 in Encino, California.
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B.G.
Image Credit: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Rapper B.G. (Christopher Noel Dorsey) of Cash Money Millionaires poses for photos after rehearsals for his performance on ‘The Jenny Jones Show’ in Chicago, Illinois in February 2000.
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Snoop Dogg
Image Credit: Gregory Bojorquez/Getty Images American rapper Snoop Dogg at his home in January, 2000 in Chino Hills, California.
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Nas
Image Credit: David Tonge/Getty Images American rapper and actor Nas, London, circa 2000.
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Missy Elliott
Image Credit: Dave Hogan/Getty Images Missy Elliott in Versace at the 2000 Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, CA on February 24, 2000.
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Eve
Image Credit: Evan Agostini/Liaison Hip hop and rap artist Eve poses backstage at the Yigal Azrouel Fall 2000 fashion show February 8, 2000 in New York City.
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Turk
Image Credit: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Rapper Turk (Tab Virgil, Jr) of Cash Money Millionaires poses for photos after rehearsals for his performance on ‘The Jenny Jones Show’ in Chicago, Illinois in February 2000.
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Cap.One
Image Credit: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Rapper Cap.One (Leon Smith) poses for photos at the Hyatt Regency Chicago hotel in Chicago, Illinois in February 2000.
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Lil Wayne
Image Credit: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Rapper Lil Wayne (Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.) of Cash Money Millionaires poses for photos after rehearsals for his performance on ‘The Jenny Jones Show’ in Chicago, Illinois in February 2000.
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Mannie Fresh
Image Credit: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Rapper and producer Mannie Fresh (Byron Otto Thomas) of Cash Money Millionaires poses for photos after rehearsals for his performance on ‘The Jenny Jones Show’ in Chicago, Illinois in February 2000.
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Juvenile
Image Credit: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Rapper Juvenile (Terius Gray) of Cash Money Millionaires rehearses for his performance on ‘The Jenny Jones Show’ in Chicago, Illinois in February 2000.
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Birdman
Image Credit: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Rapper Birdman (Bryan Christopher Williams) of Cash Money Millionaires takes a break during rehearsals for his performance on ‘The Jenny Jones Show’ in Chicago, Illinois in February 2000.
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Slum Village
Image Credit: Gregory Bojorquez/Getty Images Hip hop group Slum Village photographed at the Key Club in 2000 in West Hollywood, California.
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DJ Jazzy Jeff
Image Credit: Marni Henderson/PYMCA/Avalon/Getty Images Hip Hop DJ, Jazzy Jeff, UK.
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Timbaland
Image Credit: Brian Sweeney/PYMCA/Avalon/Getty Images Rapper Timbaland.
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Yasiin Bey
Image Credit: Anthony Barboza/Getty Images Portrait of American actor and hip hop musician Mos Def (born Dante Smith), New York, New York, 2000.
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Busta Rhymes, Rah Digga
Image Credit: LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images US rap artist Busta Rhymes (L) arrives with partner Ratiga (R) at the 42nd Grammy Awards Ceremony 23 February2000 in Los Angeles, CA.
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Ice Cube
Image Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images Rapper Ice Cube during an interview with host Jay Leno on January 25, 2000
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LL Cool J
Image Credit: Mark Bonifacio/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rapper/actor LL Cool J and his wife listen to presidential hopeful Bill Bradley address the congregation of Allen AME Church in Jamaica, Queens.
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Queen Pen
Image Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rapper Queen Pen is on hand at Elizabeth Arden’s Fifth Ave. salon for Alize’s Operation Redhead 2.
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Black Rob
Image Credit: Linda Rosier/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rapper Black Rob at the offices of Bad Boy Records in Manhattan.
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Chuck D
Image Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rapper Chuck D arrives for the premiere of the movie “Bamboozled” at the Ziegfeld Theater.
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Reverend Run
Image Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rapper Joseph (Run) Simmons attends the launch and fashion show for the Rock Star Baby line of children’s clothing at the Puck Building on Lafayette St.
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Silkk The Shocker
Image Credit: Andrew Savulich/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rap artist Silkk the Shocker on the roof of Priority Records on W. 18th St. He is promoting his upcoming album entitled “My World, My Way.”
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Muhammad Ali, Method Man
Image Credit: Budd Williams/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Former heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali gives rapper Method Man a gentle right to the chin as they help launch MTV’s “Fight For Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Discrimination” at the network’s Broadway studio. MTV announced $250,000 in scholarships in its anti-discrimination program.
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Lil Jon
Image Credit: Naki/Redferns Portrait of rapper Lil Jon
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Left Eye
Image Credit: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images American rapper and singer Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes (1971 – 2002) attending Arista Records’ Pre-Grammy Party in Beverly Hills, California, February 22th 2000. Lopes arrived with her boyfriend, American football player Andre Rison.
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The Roots
Image Credit: VINCE BUCCI/AFP via Getty Images Rap artists from the group The Roots hold their Grammy award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “You Got Me” at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles 23 February, 2000.
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Dr. Dre
Image Credit: Sal Idriss/Redferns Photo of Dr. Dre
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Eve
Image Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Rapper Eve attends the 27th Annual American Music Awards on January 17, 2000 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.
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Timbaland
Image Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images R&B producer Timbaland (Tim Mosley) is on hand at Jimmy’s Uptown for a listening party for hip-hop artist Aaliyah’s new album.
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JAY-Z
Image Credit: Anthony Barboza/Getty Images Portrait of hip hop star Jay Z, New York, 2000.
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Will Smith
Image Credit: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images Rapper and actor Will Smith appears as master of ceremonies at the Millennium Gala ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial late 31 December 1999 to mark the advent of the year 2000.
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Eminem
Image Credit: Sal Idriss/Redferns Photo of Eminem
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Lil’ Kim
Image Credit: Arnaldo Magani Recording artist Lil” Kim attends a fashion show hosted by the Fashion Designers of America’s 7th on Sixth Fashion Week at Bryant Park in New York City February 5, 2000.
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Fat Joe
Image Credit: Arnaldo Magnani Latin rap artist “Fat Joe” eats the first celebrity sandwich of the new millennium, a sandwich in his honor, at the Stage Deli in New York City February 2, 2000.
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Foxy Brown
Image Credit: Evan Agostini/Liaison Hip hop and rap singer Foxy Brown attends the Yigal Azrouel Fall 2000 fashion show February 8, 2000 in New York City.
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Coolio
Image Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Rapper Coolio attends the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards Pre-Party Hosted by Clive Davis and Arista Records on February 22, 2000 at Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
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Snoop Dogg
Image Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Rapper Snoop Dogg and Lisa Raye attend the premiere of ‘Next Friday’ on January 11, 2000 at the Pacific Cinema Theater in Hollywood, California.
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DMX
Image Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Rapper DMX attends 14th Annual Soul Train Music Awards on March 4, 2000 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.
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Treach, Pepa
Image Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Rapper Treach of Naughty by Nature and singer Sandra “Pepa” Denton of Salt-n-Pepa attend the WBC/WBA/IBF Light Heavyweight Boxing Match: Roy Jones, Jr. vs. David Telesco on January 15, 2000 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
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Pras
Image Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rapper Praz arrives for the premiere of the movie “Bamboozled” at the Ziegfeld Theater.
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LL Cool J
Image Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rapper-actor LL Cool J arrives at the DGA Theater for the premiere of the HBO movie “Disappearing Acts.”
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Eminem
Image Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rapper Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem, shows his award backstage at the MTV Music Video Awards 2000 at Radio City Music Hall. He won for Best Male Artist and Best Video of the Year.
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Eve
Image Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rapper Eve is deejay for a day as she spins disks for the party at opening of the Chanel SoHo store on Spring St.
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Busta Rhymes
Image Credit: Todd Maisel/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rapper Busta Rhymes at his Broadway studio.
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JAY-Z
Image Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Rapper Jay-Z attends the opening of the W New York-Union Square hotel. After undergoing extensive renovations, the landmark Guardian Life Building reemerged as the posh, 270 room hotel.
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Common
Rapper Common (Lonnie Corant Jaman Shuka Rashid Lynn) signs autographs and greets fans at George’s Music Room in Chicago, Illinois in March 2000.
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Missy Elliott
Image Credit: Getty Images