# Noblemen Rapper Portraits Kai Aspire Turns Hip-Hop into Renaissance Music By Harris Jay Rosenberg Alterman | Published 2012-04-08 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kai-aspire References: [complex](http://www.complex.com/art-design/2012/04/kai-aspire-paints-eminem-and-kanye-as-medieval-noblemen) & [kaiaspire](http://www.kaiaspire.com/) Street artist Kai [Aspire](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aspire-chroma-pump) has taken a break from spray-painting walls and pavement to create a series of portraits that feature famous rappers as old English noblemen. All of the rappers depicted in Aspire's paintings look very intellectual, which comes out though their ridiculous poses and over-the-top outfits. Kanye West is dressed like an old fashioned knight, as he poses with his helmet and red sash. Eminem has been given a monk's robe and a pointy beard, which makes him look like a priest from the 1400s. Even Jay-Z is getting in on the old school fashion with his medieval collar, which is extremely fluffy. Aspire isn't done yet, and still plans to add to the collection of [rapper portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thrilljoy-pix). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 46% | Activity: 32% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Renaissance-inspired Portraits:** Using historical imagery to give artistic expression. - **Street Art Crossover:** Blending street art techniques with traditional art to create a new expressive form. - **Pop Culture Folk Art:** Transforming pop culture references into traditional Folk Art design. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art:** Opportunities for visual artists to tap into the current trend of creating Renaissance-inspired work for a new generation. - **Marketing:** Brands can engage with younger audiences by incorporating Renaissance-inspired visuals into their advertising campaigns. - **Entertainment:** Film and TV production companies can showcase more diverse and thought-provoking works by incorporating Renaissance imagery. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Miniature Artful Hip-Hop Landmarks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/danny-cortes.md) - [Music-Informed Fashion Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roc-nation-and-moncler.md) - [Sneaker-Inspired Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drip.md) - [Rapper Jewelry Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pav-nite.md) - [Rapper-Collaborative Artful Carpets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skyline-carpet.md) - [Rap Group Streetwear Collaboration](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supreme-x-wutang-clan.md) - [Celebratory Hip-Hop Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hiphop-collaboration.md) - [Streetwear-Inspired NFTs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hapebeasts.md) - [American Artist Bag Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eastpak-launched.md)