Dapper Dan on hip-hop fashion, Harlem history and constant reinvention | The Limits

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On today's episode of The Limits, Jay talks to legendary fashion innovator, Dapper Dan. For over five decades, "Dap" has revolutionized the way hip-hop and fashion have influenced each other, dressing the likes of Eric B. and Rakim, LL Cool J and Salt-N-Pepa. He also always makes sure everything goes down in his native Harlem, where Jay met up with him. Once a gambling prodigy, Dap briefly went to prison on drug charges, but he came out with a renewed respect for Black culture and sensibilities. He started dressing gangsters and hustlers, and gained popularity for repurposing the logos of brands like Gucci for hip-hop icons. When the brands and the FBI came after his namesake Harlem store, it seemed like Dap would have to shut down for good. But he remained a cultural fixture, and in one of life's great ironies, built a new chapter in his career in a 2017 partnership with Gucci. At 77, Dap thinks like a historian, relating everything he has made to the musical and cultural movements of the time. He tells Jay how Harlem has evolved, how he's managed to always look forward, and who he sees as this generation's successor to his vision. Follow Jay on Instagram and Twitter. Email us at [email protected]. WHAT IS “THE LIMITS WITH JAY WILLIAMS”? Today, the art of celebrity doesn't look like it used to. Now, it's all about betting on yourself and expanding your personal brand—sometimes even beyond your comfort zone. Few understand the art of rebounding your life better than Williams, now an author, entrepreneur and ESPN host. Each week, he'll go deep with heavy-hitters from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and pop culture to understand the principles of faith, vision, and grit they live by in order to see past doubt and build their empires. From rappers-to-moguls, to talk show hosts-turned-CEOs, you'll learn the ways that successful people define, push, and conquer their limits. Email us at [email protected]. FOLLOW JAY WILLIAMS https://twitter.com/RealJayWilliams https://www.instagram.com/realjaywilliams FOLLOW NPR https://www.npr.org/ https://www.instagram.com/npr/ https://www.tiktok.com/@npr https://www.facebook.com/NPR See “The Limits” sponsors and promo codes https://www.nationalpublicmedia.com/podcastsponsors/the-limits-with-jay-williams/ The NPR shows you love are possible thanks to your support. Donate today: https://www.npr.org/donations/support -------------------------------------- VIDEO CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 4:59 - The evolution of Harlem 7:56 - The blueprint behind Dap’s vision 15:21 - Dap’s early fashion career and influence on hip-hop 18:48 - The FBI raids Dap’s Harlem boutique 21:52 - Internet outrage sparks a new Gucci partnership 31:29 - What cancel culture gets wrong