Gospel-rap artists the Duncan Clan are fashionistas, too: Fashion Flash The Creation of Fashion

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Gospel-rap artists the Duncan Clan are fashionistas, too: Fashion Flash

Posted July 20th, 2011 by Amy Windradyne No Comments »

Gospel rapper Alan C. Duncan Watch video

Alan C. Duncan, his two brothers, Ryan and Evan, and pal Tom Sawyer are the talents behind Duncan Clan Productions. And no, they’re not a bagpipe act. The four came together to turn out Alan’s gospel-rap videos, and later grew into a “Christ-centered production group.” Today, the well-dressed men make music videos, documentaries and concert films. Though hard at work on a new album — Alan rhymes, Evan is beat producer and video editor, Ryan creates cover art and other visuals, and Tom plays the drums — they dropped into the Plain Dealer studios. Before they were done, they’d shared their sartorial philosophies, given an impromptu performance (go to cleveland.com/fashion-flash to see it) and schooled us on the burgeoning Christian hip-hop industry.

Gospel rap? Wait, let me get my mind around that. OK, continue.

Alan: Well, if you think about it, all rap is espousing some belief system or some worldview, and so we just talk about ours.

Where is your studio?

Alan: It’s based right here in Cleveland. We do a lot of it from home with laptops and Macs.

How big is the gospel hip-hop scene?

Alan: It’s getting a lot bigger. The artist that a lot of people may know is a guy named Lecrae. He’s been profiled on CNN and has sold millions of units on iTunes. So the Christian hip-hop industry is really booming.

Now let’s talk about fashion, shall we? Alan, what influenced your retro look?

I have been listening to Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue,” and I just read the making of the “Kind of Blue” album, which was recorded in two days only, which is remarkable. Two sessions. I loved all the pictures of him in there. A simple, classic kind of a look, well-tailored pants. These are Christian Dior, for guess how many dollars? $3.

No — instead of $300! Where?

Salvation Army in Strongsville. The shirt is from the Salvation Army as well. My whole thing is simplicity right now. I would rather have 10 pieces in my closet that fit me perfectly and that really fit a style profile than a closet full of things that I only halfway tolerate.

Well put.

I’m a new dad. I have a 6-month-old son. I can’t afford to be buying Christian Dior pants off the rack right now. And even if I could, I don’t know that it would be the best use of my money. So I got ‘em for $3 and just got ‘em tailored at Hedi’s Alterations [in Rocky River]. I gotta shout them out. People need to know you can get a nice pair of pants for $3 that will last the rest of your life — just go get ‘em tailored. They’ll fit you perfectly.

Evan, I like the rolled-up cords. Bold choice.

Usually, I just wear ‘em down, but Alan told me we were coming to the studio today, so I thought I’d try something new. I call it the Hobbit look.

Ha! How tall are you?

6-foot-4 — with shoes.

Ryan, I love the vest.

That is his (he points to Tom). The vest makes the outfit.

I agree. Where did you get the vest, Tom?

American Eagle, $4 on clearance. It’s all about the hunt. It’s more fun that way.

I’m also loving your kicks.

They’re Toms’ Botas shoes. They’re a little bit more than I usually pay for shoes, but I love the cause: Every pair of shoes that you buy, they give a pair to a child in Africa [and other countries around the world]. You’re essentially buying two pairs of shoes.

How about the rest of your look?

The jeans are $10 from J.C. Penney. Mom taught me to shop with coupons . . . The shirt is from T.J. Maxx and then underneath (he reaches under his shirt and pulls out a chain and dog tags). My uncle fought in Vietnam. He died in Vietnam. He actually looks almost identical to me, so it’s one of my favorite things to wear.

I have to ask you about the glasses — they’re so good.

I went into a local eyewear store and [asked for] the biggest frame they had. I like the glasses like the elderly wear. The big ones with Coke-bottle lenses. Old people are always in fashion.

Alan: (Plucking the fabric of his Christian Dior trousers). An old guy probably took these to the Salvation Army.

Evan: Always look at the old guy — he knows how to dress.

I see you brought your own props — the old vinyl is wonderful. “Come See About Me,” by the Supremes. “Downtown” by Petula Clark. “Suppertime” by the Hixon Trio?

Alan: It’s an old-time gospel that my dad sang background vocals on. We thought maybe one day we’d sample something off of that and make it into a rap song.

Oh, you must. So your dad was a singer?

Alan: Our dad is actually the pastor of a church called Cuyahoga Valley Church in Broadview Heights. And when he started, it was a very small church, so he had to do everything: preach the message, sing the songs, play the piano, take the offering, all of the tasks. So he can sing a little bit.

Do you have gospel groupies?

Alan: No. We do have some good people who support what we do, and hopefully that’s growing.

Get ready. You’re going to have a big fan base after this story runs.

Alan: I was kind of debating in my mind, should we do this shoot? And here was the conflict: As Christian-based artists, I think all of us appreciate the fun and art behind fashion, but fashion can seem very materialistic or very vain. I know you’re going to ask about pet peeves. I think for myself, my fashion pet peeve would be when I start to focus on my outer appearance more than who I am inside. So I think a question that I need to ask myself is, “Does God think my heart looks as fashionable as my outer appearance?”

God would be glad you went to the Salvation Army.

Alan: Exactly. It allows you to use money for other things. There is an orphanage in El Salvador that members of our church are running. I think Jesus would have rather me mail a check to my sponsor child before I got these pants tailored. That’s the dirt on me.

Pet peeves? Anyone else? Fashion do’s and don’ts?

Ryan: Have some original thoughts. Don’t just blindly follow trends. Do what you want.

Tom: I guess one of my pet peeves is cleanliness.

As in freshly bathed or clean cut?

Tom: Both.

The Creation of Fashion