Like hip-hop, streetwear’s fanbase has expanded and diversified dramatically over the past decade. It’s no longer a minority. They’ve both achieved global mainstream appeal, especially with younger generations. Half of the people who attend Kendrick Lamar concerts are white suburban kids. They really do vibe with his music and message, and most are active proponents of his ideas.

That’s because of the age we live in today. The proliferation of information and ideas through the internet, alongside a new digital era of activism and social justice. It’s never been so easy and so cool to care about social issues.

But streetwear, the global millennial phenomena, has hardly anything to say on the issues. Considering the movement’s reach, its newfound demographic, and the environment we live in nowadays, it’s awfully strange (and mildly discomforting) its lack of socially conscious messages. Not only that brands rarely provide it, but because we as consumers don’t see a need for it.

Or maybe we do.

We’re Here to Help by 424 Fairfax

424 Fairfax, an LA streetwear boutique, dropped their own collection, Post Apocalyptic Gardening, in late 2015. A controversial release based wholly on police brutality. The “We’re Here to Help” design went viral partly due to being worn by Kylie Jenner, but it’s a powerfully relevant statement and a strong design at that. The innocuous text juxtaposed against police decked out in riot gear begs conversation.

The “Make Amerikkka Suck Again” design by Ev Bravado is another one of my favorites; it’s skillfully done. It was released in mid 2016 by Everard Best. The piece has been adorned by Joey Bada$$, who wore the crewneck in a photoshoot for his single, Land of the Free. A politically charged ballad in lieu of America’s political turmoil.

Make Amerikkka Suck Again by Ev Bravado

More so than one-off releases is the brand, Noah NYC, created by Brendon Babenzien, who was design director of Supreme for over a decade. But Noah is nowhere near the Supreme knock-off it was expected to be. It has numerous conscious messages embedded into each drop, with a thorough description of meaning for practically every piece.

He’s extended his social commentary so far as to explicitly share his disdain for President Trump through his brand’s Instagram. Even offering to refund any merchandise purchased by a Trump supporter in full.

Political correctness be damned.

And as the icing on the cake, one of the legendary conscious brands of the early 90’s, Cross Colours, actually reopened their doors in 2014. The brand with the motto, “Clothing Without Prejudice.” Maybe they‘re trying to seize a market opportunity, or they’re just distraught by the state of the world. Either way, it’s exciting to see some sort of resurgence of the early movement.

Whether these examples are anomalies or are indicators of change on the horizon, it’s hard to say. Explicit, controversial messages are always the first to gain media traction regardless. But it’s safe to say we can refer to these as “conscious streetwear.”

Consciousness at the level of modern hip-hop, as an integral aspect of streetwear, is a long ways away. But hopefully not too long.