Rappers on the Red Carpet: 8 Iconic Met Gala Looks That We Can't Stop Obsessing Over

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit Gala, commonly known as the Met Gala, is regarded as one of the biggest fashion events of the year.

The Gala is an annual fundraising event for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. Each year, the biggest stars in Hollywood ascend on Manhattan for the grand celebration, and rappers are always front and center.

The Met Gala also serves as a place of convergence for music and fashion, as hip-hop stars mingle with industry insiders and fashion icons.

From Diddy to Kanye West, many hip-hop elites have graced the red carpet, wearing showstopping ensembles. The inclusion of rappers on the famed Met carpet underscores the influence hip-hop has on mainstream culture.

Here are some of the best Met Gala looks worn by rappers throughout the years.

In 2018, Travis Scott made waves at the Met Gala with his daring and distinctive style. Embracing the event's theme of "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," Scott arrived in a sleek black Alexander Wang ensemble adorned with religious iconography, including crosses and ornate detailing.

Diddy made a striking impression at the 2018 Met Gala, wearing a tailored Rick Owens suit and matching cape. The mogul was dating singer Cassie at the time, and their looks perfectly complimented one another.

For the 2023 Met Gala, Kendrick Lamar showed up dressed as himself. Kendrick rocked a leather Chanel jacket and a t-shirt to the fashion event, where the theme was "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty." Karl Lagerfeld, who died in 2019, was the creative director of Chanel until his death.

Lil Nas X made a triumphant return to the Met Gala in 2023, wearing nothing but body jewels. The “Old Town Road” rapper wore a metallic thong and covered his body in Swarovski crystals. Nas completed the look with a bedazzled face mask and a pair of platform boots.

Embracing the theme "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion," A$AP Rocky graced the red carpet in a curated ensemble that perfectly blended streetwear aesthetics with high fashion. Rocky donned a custom Gucci outfit, paying homage to Karl Lagerfeld. The ensemble featured a black blazer, a white collared dress shirt, a patterned kilt, a sleek black leather tie, and a pair of denim pants.

The 2019 Met Gala was the year that Cardi B made waves. The “Bodak Yellow” singer walked the famed red carpet in a massive Thom Browne gown, equipped with an even bigger train. The dress required its own set of handlers, who helped Cardi move along the carpet.

At the 2018 Met Gala, Nicki Minaj captured the spotlight with her Oscar de la Renta gown. The year’s theme was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," and she arrived in a stunning gown that exuded regality and drama.

Pharrell Williams was ahead of the game at the 2021 Met Gala. He rocked a leather Chanel getup for the event alongside his wife, Helen Lasichanh. They paired their nearly identical outfits with gold-toe black leather boots.