Ben Davis (clothing)
Encyclopedia
Ben Davis is a United States
-based work clothing
line. It was founded by its namesake in 1935.
Company founder Benjamin Franklin Davis' grandfather Jacob Davis was instrumental in the creation of the original Levi's jeans.
Despite absolutely no advertising, Ben Davis is very popular amongst many music-related subcultures, especially West Coast rappers. The clothing is very popular among Chicano and "cholo
" youth culture. Ben Davis shirts have been shown in the 1992 "Let Me Ride" video from the artist Dr. Dre
, the Beastie Boys
have mentioned the brand in their music, and Eazy-e
used a Ben Davis shirt in his music video for the song Real Motherfuckin G's. Chicano rapper Lil Rob
has mentioned Ben Davis clothing in his songs. Ice Cube mentions Ben Davis in his song "Ghetto Vet" on his War and Peace Vol. 1 album and also wears a Ben Davis shirt on his "Friday" music video. On Bangin' on Wax, the 1993 album by Bloods & Crips
, Crip rapper AWOL refers to Ben Davis clothing on the song "K's Up". Kid Rock
mentions Ben Davis slacks in his song "American Bad Ass
" from the 2000 album The History of Rock. Its major competitor is Dickies
.
Ben Davis is run by his son Frank, who was interviewed in a 1995 Grand Royal
magazine article.
The logo of the brand is a smiling gorilla
which has been said to be the inspiration for the xlarge clothing logo, also a gorilla.
At one time the tags on Ben Davis items read "Union Made Plenty Tough" although this has now been changed to "USA Made Plenty Tough" as they had a dispute with the union workers.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-based work clothing
Clothing
Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies...
line. It was founded by its namesake in 1935.
Company founder Benjamin Franklin Davis' grandfather Jacob Davis was instrumental in the creation of the original Levi's jeans.
Despite absolutely no advertising, Ben Davis is very popular amongst many music-related subcultures, especially West Coast rappers. The clothing is very popular among Chicano and "cholo
Cholo
Cholo is an ethnic slur created by Hispanic criollos in the 16th century, and it has been applied to individuals of mixed or pure American Indian ancestry, or other racially mixed origin. The precise usage of "cholo" has varied widely in different times and places...
" youth culture. Ben Davis shirts have been shown in the 1992 "Let Me Ride" video from the artist Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, the Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
have mentioned the brand in their music, and Eazy-e
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
used a Ben Davis shirt in his music video for the song Real Motherfuckin G's. Chicano rapper Lil Rob
Lil Rob
Roberto Flores , best known by his stage name Lil Rob, is a Mexican American rapper, producer, and actor-Biography:...
has mentioned Ben Davis clothing in his songs. Ice Cube mentions Ben Davis in his song "Ghetto Vet" on his War and Peace Vol. 1 album and also wears a Ben Davis shirt on his "Friday" music video. On Bangin' on Wax, the 1993 album by Bloods & Crips
Bloods & Crips
Bloods & Crips was a musical collaboration between members of the Bloods & Crips gangs formed by Tweedy Bird Loc, Redrum 781 and Ronnie Phillips in 1993.-History:...
, Crip rapper AWOL refers to Ben Davis clothing on the song "K's Up". Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
mentions Ben Davis slacks in his song "American Bad Ass
American Bad Ass
"American Bad Ass" is a heavy metal song from American musician Kid Rock, released from his 2000 album The History of Rock. "American Bad Ass" uses the instrumental structure of Metallica's "Sad but True" The song was a victory lap for Devil Without a Cause's success...
" from the 2000 album The History of Rock. Its major competitor is Dickies
Dickies
Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company, more commonly referred to as the brand Dickies, is an American company headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas that manufactures and sells work-related clothing and other accessories, including back packs, steel-toe boots, and belts. Its major competitors are...
.
Ben Davis is run by his son Frank, who was interviewed in a 1995 Grand Royal
Grand Royal
Grand Royal was the Los Angeles, California based vanity record label set up in 1992 by the Beastie Boys in conjunction with Capitol Records after the group left Def Jam Recordings....
magazine article.
The logo of the brand is a smiling gorilla
Gorilla
Gorillas are the largest extant species of primates. They are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forests of central Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and either four or five subspecies...
which has been said to be the inspiration for the xlarge clothing logo, also a gorilla.
At one time the tags on Ben Davis items read "Union Made Plenty Tough" although this has now been changed to "USA Made Plenty Tough" as they had a dispute with the union workers.