Quick, name five rappers that double as fashion icons. Were any of those artists that came to mind Kendrick Lamar? Probably not. While the Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning artist is more known for his deft wordplay and ability to eviscerate a fellow rap superstar, he’s covertly one of the most stylish rappers in modern hip-hop.
Let us not forget the flared jeans from this year’s Super Bowl, or last year’s Tupac-inspired Pop Out concert fit — Kendrick has some serious style, so it doesn’t surprise us that Chanel just named him the new face and brand ambassador of its eyewear.
Considering Chanel exclusively makes clothes for women, Kendrick might not seem like the most obvious choice, but the brand has tapped male icons in the past, including Timothée Chalamet and G-Dragon. We’re going to assume even Kendrick never thought he’d have anything in common with a Hollywood heartthrob and a K-Pop sensation (aside from all being artists at the top of their game).
In a statement following the announcement, Kendrick said of the partnership
“Chanel has a timeless legacy and that is always something I can get behind.” So this is essentially a case of game recognizing game!
This isn’t the first time the pair have collaborated; Kendrick scored the Dave Free-directed Margaret Qualley-starring Chanel short film The Button, which dropped in 2024 and is definitely worth a watch if you’re fans of any of those three people. An ad campaign shot by renowned fashion photographer Karim Sadli is set to drop sometime this week.