# Rapper-Designed Gen Z Streetwear The AE x Young Money Collection was Created with Lil Wayne By Jana Pijak | Published 2019-08-12 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ae-x-young-money References: [ae](https://www.ae.com/us/en/x/ae-x-young-money) & [papermag](https://www.papermag.com/lil-wayne-american-eagle-2639209437.html) The AE x Young Money collection is a collaboration between the Gen Z retailer and [rapper, skateboarding enthusiast and business mogul](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/syna-collection) Lil Wayne. While Lil Wayne may be an icon among Millennials who grew up listening to his most acclaimed music, his most recent album Tha Carter V has garnered mass appeal among Gen Z audiences and features the hit Uproar which features Swizz Beats' iconic beat from 00s rap classic Special Delivery. The track is also featured in the official AE x Young Money TV spot which spotlights [technicolored streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/candy-drop) like Young Money logo merch, fanny packs and even a happy face chain necklace. In a recent interview with Paper, Lil Wayne explains the style direction for the line. "Shorts with some of those long-sleeved white shirts. Maybe with one of the bucket hats." And some Vans, obviously. "I would never leave home without a pair of good [skate shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zoo-york)." The collection is all about self-expression and versatility, featuring pieces that are ideal for mixing and matching and is both fashion-forward and functional for the back to school season ahead. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 80% | Activity: 87% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Youth](https://www.trendhunter.com/youth) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Gen Z Streetwear:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a streetwear brand that specifically targets Gen Z consumers, offering self-expression and versatility in fashion-forward and functional designs. - **Rapper-designed Collaborations:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with influential rappers to design and release limited-edition collections, leveraging their iconic status to appeal to a wide range of audiences. - **Skateboarding-inspired Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine skateboarding aesthetics with fashion, creating a unique style that resonates with both skateboarding enthusiasts and fashion-forward individuals. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fashion Retail:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate technology, like augmented reality (AR), into the fashion retail experience to provide interactive shopping experiences for customers. - **Music and Entertainment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new platforms or partnerships that connect musicians and entertainers with fashion brands to create unique merchandise collections and cross-promotional opportunities. - **Streetwear Market:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embrace sustainable and eco-friendly practices in the production and distribution of streetwear to cater to the growing demand for environmentally-conscious fashion. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Football Star Capsule](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tru-kolors-x-ae.md) - [Music-Informed Fashion Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roc-nation-and-moncler.md) - [Rapper-Collaborative Streetwear Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/p-by-gunna-collection.md) - [Cultural Newsletter Subscriptions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/off-the-cuff.md) - [Male Grooming Artist Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whaxe-pack.md) - [Active-Minded Refreshing Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/october-collection.md) - [K-Pop Playful Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bape-x-stray-kids.md) - [Rapper Apparel Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/syna-collection.md) - [Gen Z Fragrance Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fine-fragrance-collection.md)