Kanye WestThe internet has been giving Kanye West a hard time since last week when a photo of the "Power" rapper wearing a kilt hit the web. Blogs and commenters have called the item a dress and questioned his masculinity for his controversial fashion statement.
But Ariel Kaiser, Yahoo! Shine wardrobe stylist and lifestyle blogger, doesn't think Kanye's style choice is a big deal."I don't think he looks like a woman," Kasier said. "He wasn't wearing a pink … He wasn't wearing a dress with heels. He was wearing something reminiscent of ancient warrior clothing."
Kanye's thigh-length, black leather skirt is from the Paris designer Givenchy's Spring Summer 2012 men's collection.
Kaiser, who describes Kanye's kilt as cool, said the United States is bit more conservative when it comes to this particular men's item. "There are men all over the world who wear skirts. It's very big in eastern culture. It's not like a western thing obviously, but it happens."
Kaiser believes Kanye's motivation might be partly inspired by his desire to set himself apart from the norm. "Anything Kanye does does not surprise me," she said. "It's like Gaga. There's always a meaning behind it, and it's always trying to get a rise."
Kaiser's ancient warrior correlation also makes sense. On Kanye's song "Monster," he raps about being a pharaoh. His moving portrait video for "Power" took its cues from Greek mythology, and he often wears clothing and jewelry with similar images.
Historian and attorney LeGrand Clegg said Kanye isn't the first male pop star to bring attention to wearing a skirt with historical ties. "I think Michael Jackson sorta popularized the image of the pharaonic dress with his video 'Remember The Time' and what they're reflecting is the way Africans dressed in antiquity."
Even Backstreet boy Kevin Richardson, wore a skit when appearing on the VH! Special "Men Strike Back" in 2000.
A spokesperson for Kanye had not yet responded to Yahoo! Music's request for comment.
Kanye's wardrobe, however, was hardly the biggest shock in music news this week. A Justin Bieber fan accused the teen idol of fathering her child. But the "Baby" singer refutes the claims. Rihanna's string of impressive accomplishments continues to grow. This week she scored her 11th No. 1 song which means she is now tied to Whitney Houston, and just surpassed Janet Jackson's record of 10 chart topping singles.
Adele, the year's best album seller, on the other hand, had to cancel her remaining tour dates. She has to undergo surgery on her throat. Lastly, this Thursday the trial for Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray ended. The jurors will now decide whether or not the physician should be charged in the death of the king of pop.
See the links below for more information on this week's stories, and be sure to check back next week for another music news round up.
THIS WEEK'S TOP 5 MUSIC NEWS STORIES
1) Fashion Forward -- Kanye's criticized for wearing a skirt.
2) Billie Jean -- Justin Bieber says the kid is not his son.
3) Record Breaker -- Rihanna ties chart record with Whitney Houston.
4) Jury Duty -- Dr. Conrad Murray trial goes to jury.
5) Get Well Soon -- Adele cancels 2011 gigs for surgery.
Kanye West photo credit: Stephen Dougherty
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