Jim Jones and Fabolous clash over whether Harlem or Brooklyn runs hip-hop fashion [VIDEO]

A Heated Debate Over New York Fashion Influence

New York City has always been the heartbeat of hip-hop fashion, but which borough deserves the crown? That question sparked a fiery debate when Harlem’s Jim Jones and Dave East went head-to-head against Brooklyn’s Fabolous and Maino on the ATM Podcast. The nearly seven-minute clip, now viral on X, reignited an age-old rivalry: does Harlem hold the title for style originality, or has Brooklyn had the bigger impact on shaping the culture?

The conversation started when Fabolous confidently declared that Brooklyn’s influence—through icons like himself, The Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z—outweighed Harlem’s contributions. Jim Jones immediately pushed back, pointing to Harlem’s deep-rooted legacy in hip-hop fashion, from Dapper Dan’s logomania revolution in the 1980s to Dipset’s oversized jerseys, bandanas, and flashy jewelry in the 2000s.

What followed was a barbershop-style exchange full of jokes, jabs, and borough pride that highlighted not only the cultural history of fashion in hip-hop, but also the personal pride New Yorkers attach to their hometowns.

Brooklyn’s Case – Biggie, Jay-Z, and Fabolous as Global Icons

Fabolous laid out Brooklyn’s argument in simple terms: global reach. He pointed to Biggie’s legendary Coogi sweaters and Versace shades as staples of the 1990s. He reminded Jim and Dave East of Jay-Z’s influence in shifting the culture away from throwback jerseys toward button-ups and designer suits, a move that elevated hip-hop style into the luxury space.

Fab didn’t shy away from including himself in that conversation either, noting how his fitted caps, layered streetwear, and throwbacks in the early 2000s cemented him as one of rap’s go-to style icons. “Me, Big, and Hov outweighed Harlem’s [impact],” Fab said confidently.

The argument hinges on Brooklyn’s ability to not just create trends but to translate them into mainstream culture. Jay-Z turned Rocawear into a multi-million-dollar brand, Biggie’s luxury looks were replicated worldwide, and Fab’s modern streetwear fits remain Instagram staples for younger fans.

Harlem’s Response – Dapper Dan, Dipset, and A$AP Rocky as Innovators

Jim Jones wasn’t about to let Harlem’s fashion legacy be overlooked. “Don’t count yourself, brotha,” Jim fired back, reminding Fab that Harlem has been setting trends long before Brooklyn commercialized them.

He pointed to Dapper Dan, the Harlem legend who pioneered the art of remixing luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton into custom tracksuits, jackets, and accessories. What the fashion world once called “bootlegging” later became global high fashion, with Gucci eventually partnering with Dapper Dan in 2018.

Jim also shouted out his own Dipset movement, which in the early 2000s brought bandanas, velour tracksuits, pink furs, and oversized jewelry into the mainstream. “The jury game, that was us,” Jim said, insisting Harlem set the template for the bling era that rappers everywhere adopted.

Then there’s A$AP Rocky, the Harlem native who took high fashion to Paris runways while still staying true to street culture. As Dave East noted during the debate, “Rocky got a generation,” highlighting how Harlem continues to influence globally even in the 2010s and 2020s.

Jewelry, Watches, and Luxury – Who Owned the “Bling Era?”

One of the more animated parts of the debate came when jewelry and watches entered the conversation. Fab credited Brooklyn with popularizing tennis necklaces and luxury ice, while Jim argued Harlem’s creativity with iced-out Rolexes and bold chain layering elevated the game.

“Rolex diamonds, nobody was doing that before us,” Jim insisted. Fab countered that Jay-Z’s subtle yet sophisticated approach set a standard for luxury minimalism, proving that Brooklyn rappers also redefined what it meant to look “fly.”

It highlighted the different philosophies of the boroughs: Harlem favored flamboyance, bright colors, and statement pieces, while Brooklyn leaned toward understated, upscale cool. Both styles influenced the culture in different ways, creating a balance that hip-hop fashion still reflects today.

The “Borrowing” Argument – Innovation vs. Remixing

At one point, Jim accused Brooklyn of “stealing” Harlem’s styles and repackaging them. “Y’all steal in Brooklyn… robberies and stealing,” Jim joked, framing Harlem as the true innovators and Brooklyn as the remixers.

Fab didn’t deny it—he reframed it as innovation. “I might take a Harlem style,” he admitted, “but I bring it to Brooklyn in my own way.”

That back-and-forth revealed the heart of the debate: Harlem prides itself on originality, while Brooklyn prides itself on amplification. Harlem sparks the flame; Brooklyn turns it into a wildfire.

Fashion as an Extension of Hip-Hop Rivalries

This Harlem vs. Brooklyn argument isn’t just about clothes—it’s about identity, legacy, and regional pride. For decades, New York rappers have clashed over who runs the culture, from KRS-One vs. MC Shan (Bronx vs. Queens) in the ’80s to Nas vs. Jay-Z in the early 2000s.

Fashion has always been part of that story. Whether it’s Harlem’s pink furs or Brooklyn’s Yankee fitteds, what rappers wore shaped not only their personal brands but also hip-hop’s relationship with mainstream fashion.

X Reactions – Fans Lean Harlem but Respect Brooklyn’s Icons

The debate immediately lit up X, with over 454,000 views on the clip and thousands of replies, reposts, and quotes.

Many users sided with Harlem:

• “Harlem is the Urban Fashion Capital of THE WORLD. It’s not even debatable.”
• “A$AP Rocky alone clears this conversation.”

Others defended Brooklyn:

• “Fab was flyer than the whole Dipset.”
• “Hov made the Yankee cap more famous than a Yankee can.”

Neutral fans found it hilarious and quintessentially New York:

• “This the funniest debate ever.”
• “This whole exchange is the most NY stuff ever.”

The overwhelming sentiment was that Harlem is the birthplace of innovation, while Brooklyn represents the global amplification that made hip-hop fashion mainstream.

Final Thoughts – Who Really Runs Hip-Hop Fashion?

At the end of the day, there was no clear winner—and maybe that’s the point. Harlem and Brooklyn have both left undeniable marks on hip-hop fashion, each in their own way.

• Harlem’s strength lies in originality. From Dapper Dan’s logomania to Dipset’s audacious colors to A$AP Rocky’s high-fashion runway presence, Harlem has consistently set trends that ripple worldwide.
• Brooklyn’s strength lies in global reach. From Biggie’s Coogi sweaters to Jay-Z’s button-ups to Fabolous’s Instagram-worthy fits, Brooklyn made those Harlem-inspired ideas mainstream and lucrative.

As Jim Jones himself admitted with a laugh, “This will go forever.” And he’s right—fashion debates like this are as much a part of hip-hop as the music itself.

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