Overview

"Lo-Life tells the remarkable true story of the Lo Lifes’ OG founder, Rack-Lo, aka George Billips, who, at a young age, simultaneously formed an infamous Brooklyn street crew and introduced high fashion to street life. Now a veteran of a near-fatal gangster lifestyle, his story transformed into one of self-determination, culminating in a career as a successful fashion entrepreneur. ""A new autobiography from the Lo-Lifes' founder George “Rack-Lo” Billips, published by Brooklyn’s powerHouse books and distributed by Simon & Schuster, sheds light on the origins of the movement, its influence in hip-hop and streetwear, and Billips' journey from criminal to career counselor."" -- GOTHAMIST Rack-Lo made some bad choices: he left school, he thieved, he went to jail, he got shot; he had a lust for fast money, materialism, and clothes, and a knack for police run-ins, street confrontations, and skipping out on warrants. Rack-Lo was deep into street life in the late 1980s, when he united teenage crews from the notorious Brownsville and Crown Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn to found the legendary gang Lo Lifes, who made a name for themselves dressing head to toe in highly coveted Ralph Lauren’s Polo brand clothing—or “Lo.” They acquired this “preppy” fashion by any means necessary: stick-ups, shoplifting, and hustling. What started as an informal gang uniform, organized around clean designs and bright colors, became a devotion to a lifestyle brand, and eventually created an association between street-level crews and the luxury brands that would fundamentally change the pop culture foundation of the fashion industry. Rack-Lo’s personal testimony captures the Lo Life era (1988-2005) like no other. But Rack-Lo didn’t let the game change him. Instead, he changed the game. He survived gun violence, Riker’s Island, police brutality, street conflicts, a poor educational system, and domestic violence long enough to turn around his life and reinvent himself; Rack-Lo continues to be revered for his distinct fashion style, leadership, ability to mobilize his people and brotherhood to visualize and revolutionize a better society. This is the incredible true story of Rack-Lo."

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9781648230455

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Growing up in Brooklyn’s Brownsville and Crown Heights neighborhoods, Rack-Lo viewed the world at large through the lens of street life. It was on these streets where he built a legendary status that would go on to have a global impact. Credited as the “catalyst” of the Lo Life movement, he was responsible for introducing the Polo Ralph Lauren brand to Hip Hop culture. He established a fashion institution that resonates with folks of all ethnicities and racial backgrounds, and has penned five books based around his life and Hip Hop culture as it relates to style, fashion, community, and his role as a pioneer in leading a diversified fashion conglomerate. He is also the founder of the brand RL Jewelry specializing in quality accessories. Once a founding member of one of Brooklyn’s most infamous teenage gangs, Rack-Lo is now a prolific writer, published author, curator, film director, model, event coordinator, stylist, creative director, editor, podcaster, webmaster, husband, father, and grandfather.

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