Born X Raised: A Voice for Los Angeles’ Unfiltered Spirit
Born X Raised: A Voice for Los Angeles’ Unfiltered Spirit
Blog Article
Born X Raised is more than a clothing brand — it’s a cultural movement that emerged from the streets of Los Angeles, capturing the city’s raw energy, its layered histories, and the struggles of communities often left in the margins. Founded in 2013 by Chris "Spanto" Printup and Alex "2Tone" Erdmann, Born X Raised was conceived as a deeply personal project, shaped by the founders’ own experiences growing up in the changing neighborhoods of LA. At its core, the brand tells a story about identity, community, and resistance in the face of gentrification and cultural erasure.
The phrase "Born X Raised" itself is a statement of authenticity — a way of distinguishing those who carry the traditions and burdens of their hometown from those who come later, often altering the fabric of that place. For Spanto, who hailed from Venice Beach, the brand became a tool to honor his roots in a neighborhood that was rapidly losing its original character due to waves of development and rising costs of living. This theme of holding on to heritage in the face of change is woven into the DNA of Born X Raised's designs, which often reference old-school LA motifs, gang iconography, and the aesthetics of Chicano and street cultures.
From its earliest releases, Born X Raised made it clear that it wasn’t trying to follow fashion industry trends. Instead, it sought to offer an unfiltered reflection of LA street life. Their first collections were raw and unapologetic, featuring bold slogans like "Gentrification is Genocide," which directly called out the forces that were displacing families and reshaping communities. This confrontational stance resonated with people who felt ignored by mainstream narratives, and quickly earned Born X Raised a loyal following, both within LA and beyond.
The brand’s appeal lies not just in its designs but also in its refusal to compromise on its principles. Spanto and 2Tone brought a punk ethos to the streetwear scene, treating Born X Raised not just as a fashion label but as a platform for cultural commentary. They worked with local artists, photographers, and musicians, keeping the brand's operations tightly connected to the community that inspired it. Unlike many streetwear brands that expanded quickly, Born X Raised maintained a more controlled growth, ensuring that its collaborations and projects aligned with its values.
Over the years, Born X Raised has collaborated with a range of high-profile partners, including Nike, Converse, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, yet each partnership retained the gritty, homegrown spirit that defines the brand. For example, their collaboration with the Dodgers wasn’t just a merchandising exercise — it was a celebration of LA's diverse neighborhoods and the blue-collar fans who have supported the team for generations. This ability to scale up while staying true to its roots is a rare quality in the streetwear world and has helped Born X Raised stand out in a crowded market.
One of the most powerful aspects of Born X Raised is its deep connection to LA’s Chicano culture. The brand often incorporates fonts, colors, and symbols that pay homage to this heritage, from Old English lettering to imagery drawn from lowrider culture and mural art. This connection isn’t surface-level — it reflects the lived realities of people like Spanto, whose family history is intertwined with the cultural evolution of Venice and greater Los Angeles. By foregrounding Chicano influences, Born X Raised gives visibility to a culture that has often been appropriated or sidelined in mainstream media.
Spanto's personal journey also adds layers of meaning to the brand. In 2013, shortly after founding Born X Raised, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. This life-altering event infused the brand with an even greater sense of urgency and authenticity. Spanto’s fight against his illness became a source of inspiration, not just for fans of the brand but for the broader community who saw in him a symbol of resilience and defiance. Against the odds, he went into remission and continued to build Born X Raised into a global name while staying fiercely loyal to his origins.
Despite its growing popularity, Born X Raised has never lost sight of its mission to represent and uplift the people of Los Angeles. The brand frequently uses its platform to give back, hosting community events, supporting local causes, and using its voice to raise awareness about social issues affecting LA residents. Whether it’s highlighting the impact of gentrification or celebrating underrepresented artists, Born X Raised continues to operate as a conduit between street culture and the larger conversations happening around identity and belonging.
Visually, Born X Raised's aesthetic is distinct. It combines sharp, often aggressive graphics with nostalgic references to old LA, creating a juxtaposition that feels both modern and timeless. There’s a sense of pride and defiance in the clothing — a statement that while the city may change, the spirit of its original communities endures. This is perhaps why the brand resonates not just in LA, but in cities around the world grappling with similar issues of displacement, cultural preservation, and urban transformation.
In the world of streetwear, where brands often come and go with the shifting winds of hype, Born X Raised has carved out a lasting place by staying true to its message. It is not just selling clothes; it is selling a narrative, a memory, and a stance. Each hoodie, cap, or T-shirt carries with it the weight of LA’s turbulent history and the voices of those who refuse to be erased.
Looking ahead, Born X Raised seems poised to continue its dual mission: expanding its reach while remaining anchored in the stories and struggles that gave birth to it. In an era where authenticity is often manufactured for the sake of marketing, Born X Raised offers the real thing — an uncompromising commitment to community, culture, and the fight to hold onto one's roots in a rapidly changing world.
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