What is a Canadian tuxedo? Fashion choice explored as fans suggest subtle Drake shade for Kendrick's look at Grammys 2025

The Grammys 2025 were nothing short of historic for rapper Kendrick Lamar. The rapper scored five awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year, for Not Like Us, a diss track that notably dominated the global charts.

However, while Lamar’s musical acclamations were expected, his fashion choice also created waves among netizens and enthusiasts. Dressed in a denim-on-denim Canadian tuxedo, he sparked a flurry of online speculation. Fans were quick to speculate if this was an intentional hint at Drake, the Canadian rapper he is said to have diss-ed in Not Like Us.

While Lamar made no direct mention of his long-standing feud with Drake during the ceremony, fans could not ignore the implication of his outfit.

Denim on denim is a look that is historically linked to Canada, and Lamar wore that while accepting awards for a track that embarrassed one of Canada’s biggest stars. The Internet was quick to read between the seams. Whether intentional or not, Lamar’s fashion choice became just as much a talking point as his Grammy wins.

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What is a Canadian tuxedo?

A Canadian tuxedo refers to a full-denim ensemble, typically a denim jacket paired with denim jeans. It is now a recognizable fashion statement.

Back in 1951, American singer Bing Crosby was denied entry to a Vancouver hotel because he was wearing an all-denim outfit. The hotel staff considered denim too casual for their establishment, but once they realized who he was, they quickly changed their stance.

Levi’s then crafted a custom denim tuxedo jacket for Crosby, featuring a leather patch inside. From Elvis Presley to Tupac Shakur, the Canadian tuxedo has cemented itself in music history.

For his Grammy 2025 appearance, Lamar doubled down on denim. He opted for a light-wash denim jacket, matching jeans, and a white T-shirt. He accessorized with a denim baseball cap repping Los Angeles and a diamond chain.

Given the Canadian tuxedo's significance in pop culture, and its direct link to Canada, many saw it as a subtle jab at Drake. Lamar was collecting awards for Not Like Us, a song that thoroughly dismantled his rival.

As per some fans, wearing an outfit so closely associated with Drake’s home country while standing victorious at one of the music industry's biggest events, is a kind of silent trolling. User @Influwinchil wrote on X:

"What Kendrick has done to J Cole and Drake’s careers needs to be studied on campuses worldwide. Sheesh."

However, some argued that Lamar simply wanted to embrace classic hip-hop style. Denim has been a staple in rap fashion for decades. Lamar could have been paying homage to the genre’s roots.

Nevertheless, consider the context: The diss track, the ongoing beef between Drake and Kendrick, and the Grammys being a stage where every move is observed by fans worldwide. It is hard to dismiss the possibility of the speculations being true.

Regardless of Lamar’s intentions, his choice of a Canadian tuxedo look for the 2025 Grammys added another chapter to the outfit’s storied history. Over the years, denim-on-denim has been sported by some of the biggest names in music. Marvin Gaye, Bruce Springsteen, and Elvis Presley, among others, rocked the look in their primes.

With Kendrick Lamar’s Grammys 2025 appearance, the Canadian tuxedo might be on the verge of revival.

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