A major part of the growth of Hip-Hop has been the way that the culture connected with the global marketplace. From Run-DMC's connection with ADIDAS to LL Cool J rocking Kangol hats, branding has been a major part of the culture moving forward. After many years of rappers shouting out their favorite fashion brands on wax, it was only a matter of time before products became influenced by Hip-Hop in return.
Reports are saying that Brooklyn rap vet Jay-Z is suing famed photographer Jonathan Mannion for exploiting photos he took of Hov for his 1996 debut album, 'Reasonable Doubt.'