RTB Apparel has launched a new line of jerseys,
"Rap Throwbacks."
The jerseys feature various rappers original
artwork and song titles. Numbers on the front and back commemorate the year
the song was released.
Created by husband and wife team Rodney and Knia
Bonds, their inaugural line is an attempt to prove that the jersey phenomenon
is not relegated to athletes.
"We had to build a brand from the Rap Throwbacks
line," Rodney Bonds said. "RTB Apparel came out of that. The product
basically represents fashion & Hip-Hop."
The jerseys come in four classifications of rap
music. "Classics" feature such pioneers as Kurtis Blow, The Furious
Five and The Cold Crush Brothers, The "True School" highlight rappers
from the 80’s such as Big Daddy Kane, Stetasonic, MC Lyte and Sweet Tee, "Commemorative"
pays homage to such fallen artists as Jam Master Jay, Left Eye, Tupac Shakur,
Notorious B.I.G. and Big Pun, while "The Cutmasters" honor such DJ’s
as Afrika Bambaataa, Kool DJ Red Alert, Chuck Chillout, Jazzy Jay, Jazzy Jeff
and A.J. Scratch.
Each artist featured receives a royalty on each
jersey sold.
"We were born of Hip-Hop culture, therefore
will always continue to stay within
that concept," Knia Bonds added. "We are trying to keep Hip-Hop culture
alive with our brand."