Born x Raised: More Than a Brand, A Voice for the Forgotten

Born x Raised: More Than a Brand, A Voice for the Forgotten

In a world where streetwear has often been co-opted, commercialized, and stripped of its roots, Born x Raised stands tall as a brand that never forgot where it came from. Founded on the hardened streets of Los Angeles, Born x Raised isn’t just a name stitched on hoodies or caps—it’s a statement, a protest, a tribute, and a form of resistance wrapped in cotton and ink.

The brainchild of Chris "Spanto" Printup and Alex "2Tone" Erdmann, Born x Raised emerged from a deeply personal space—one filled with memory, grief, cultural pride, and a fierce defense of heritage. The brand was born in Venice, a neighborhood that, over the years, has been reshaped by gentrification and disconnection. What was once a tight-knit community with deep roots slowly transformed into a playground for outsiders. Amid this change, Spanto and 2Tone recognized a need—not for clothes, but for a platform. A platform to remember what was, to document what’s been lost, and to protect what still remains.

At its heart, Born x Raised is about identity. The clothes speak for those who were pushed to the margins, displaced by the tide of urban development. The imagery is often sharp and unapologetic—skulls, gothic fonts, religious symbols, and West Coast iconography all play into the brand’s visual vocabulary. This aesthetic isn’t just for shock value; it’s a reflection of culture, of survival, of pride in being from a place that the rest of the world wants to erase or rebrand.

Spanto, who tragically passed away in 2023, poured his lived experience into every collection. A member of the Native American community and deeply entrenched in L.A.’s street culture, he infused the brand with a raw authenticity that simply can’t be manufactured. His story, riddled with both hardship and triumph—including a cancer battle and time spent in prison—was mirrored in the clothes themselves. Each drop felt like a page from a diary or a chapter in an oral history passed down on fabric rather than paper.

Born x Raised is also deeply hyperlocal. While it now enjoys global recognition, its heart has never left Los Angeles. The brand has always prioritized representing the real city—not the tourist-friendly postcard version, but the gritty, diverse, and beautifully complicated city full of stories, culture, and resilience. Collaborations with local artists, tributes to public figures and community leaders, and designs that reflect neighborhood nuances all reinforce this deep hometown love.

That said, its appeal has stretched far beyond California. Born x Raised resonates with anyone who’s felt displaced, overlooked, or misrepresented. The messaging speaks universally: “We were here. We are here. And we’re not going anywhere.”

Fashion-wise, Born x Raised has managed to do what few streetwear brands can—merge message with style. The pieces don’t sacrifice wearability for meaning. Oversized graphic tees, varsity jackets, trucker hats, and matching sets come emblazoned with slogans that spark thought: On the Turf, No Justice, No Peace, Gentrification is Genocide. These aren’t empty slogans—they’re grounded in history, in protest, in community memory.

Its collaborations reflect the brand’s versatility and ethos. Partnering with giants like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Levi’s, Nike, and even the NFL, Born x Raised has shown it can play on the global stage without selling out. These collabs don’t feel like a brand trying to chase clout—they feel like extensions of its mission. Even when working with large institutions, the message remains unfiltered: the people come first.

But it’s not just about the clothes. Community is the thread that runs through every collection, campaign, and collaboration. Born x Raised has used its platform to raise funds for social justice movements, support families affected by systemic violence, and highlight stories that mainstream media ignores. It's a brand that knows its power and uses it with purpose.

There’s a certain poetry in the way Born x Raised has grown. From humble beginnings to becoming a globally recognized name in fashion, it’s stayed grounded. That growth has been organic, fueled not by trends or hype but by loyalty. Supporters of the brand don’t just wear it—they believe in it. They wear Born x Raised to represent their neighborhoods, to honor their families, to assert their place in a world that often tries to erase them.

The passing of Spanto hit the community hard. His presence was magnetic, and his loss was felt deeply. But even in his absence, the brand marches forward—powered by the foundation he built, the stories he told, and the legacy he leaves behind. Born x Raised continues not as a company chasing profit, but as a movement that refuses to be silenced.

In an era of fast fashion and fleeting hype, Born x Raised reminds us of the power of authenticity. It proves that clothing can be political, personal, and poetic all at once. It’s streetwear, yes—but it’s also storytelling. It’s remembrance. It’s resistance.

Whether you wear it to represent a lost neighborhood, to mourn what’s been stolen, or to celebrate where you’re from, Born x Raised has become something larger than style. It’s a badge. A battle cry. A love letter to the streets that shaped us and the people who made us.

Born x Raised isn't just stitched into fabric—it's carved into concrete.