Born x Raised: The Voice of LA Street Culture

Born x Raised: More Than a Brand, A Culture Stamped in the Streets

Born x Raised is not your typical streetwear label. It's not just about graphic tees, snapbacks, or limited drops—it’s a living, breathing representation of a city, a culture, and a way of life. Created in the heart of Los Angeles, Born x Raised tells the story of communities often overlooked, misunderstood, or outright erased. It celebrates loyalty, pride, tradition, and pain. It's a love letter to the people who have lived and died in neighborhoods that gentrification now calls "prime real estate."

At its core, Born x Raised is a cultural movement disguised as a clothing brand. It’s raw, unapologetic, and rooted in authenticity. Every stitch and slogan carries the weight of generations, each collection built like a time capsule holding memories of a Los Angeles that existed before the palm-tree postcards and Hollywood dreams.

The Origins: Built From Pain and Purpose

Born x Raised was founded in 2013 by Chris “Spanto” Printup and Alex “2Tone” Erdmann. The duo came from vastly different walks of life—Spanto from Venice, deeply embedded in LA’s street culture, and 2Tone with a background in design and media. Together, they crafted a brand that didn’t just reflect LA; it preserved it.

Spanto’s vision was clear from the start: tell the truth about the city he loved, even if it was painful. He wasn’t interested in glossing over reality or turning neighborhoods into trendy aesthetics. Born x Raised was his answer to the wave of gentrification sweeping across LA, especially in areas like Venice, where longtime families were being pushed out and the culture of the community was being erased in real time.

The name itself—Born x Raised—speaks volumes. It’s a declaration of pride, of belonging, of identity. It’s for those who are rooted, who’ve seen the changes, who’ve stayed true despite it all.

The Voice of the Marginalized

From day one, Born x Raised spoke to people who felt unseen. Whether it was the proud Chicano community, skaters from the alleyways of Santa Monica, or Black kids from Crenshaw, the brand gave them a voice. It didn’t try to appeal to the masses—it resonated with the few who understood what it meant to be from somewhere real.

This unapologetic stance became its signature. Shirts screamed with messages like “Gentrification is Genocide” or “On the Turf”—simple statements, yet heavy with meaning. Born x Raised wasn’t afraid to make you uncomfortable. It wasn’t chasing trends; it was starting conversations.

Design Philosophy: Bold, Local, and Layered

The visuals behind Born x Raised are as iconic as its message. The brand blends West Coast street aesthetics with cultural commentary, often using old English typography, religious motifs, and bold slogans. But it’s more than just edgy design. There’s intention behind every piece.

You might see a tee that looks like a classic LA lowrider mural. Or a jacket that mimics old gang jackets but with a modern twist. There’s a respect for tradition in the designs, but also a clever subversion of mainstream expectations.

The art is local, layered, and lived-in. It feels like it belongs in the same places it's inspired by—on the basketball courts, in barber shops, on the stoop, in the back of a taco truck. It doesn’t look like it came from a studio; it feels like it came from the soul.

Collaboration With Substance

As Born x Raised grew, it caught the attention of the larger fashion and entertainment world. But unlike many streetwear brands that water down their message for the mainstream, Born x Raised stayed grounded.

When they collaborated with brands like Converse, Levi’s, or the LA Dodgers, the collabs weren’t just slapped-on logos—they told stories. A Born x Raised x Dodgers release wasn’t just for hypebeasts; it was a statement about what it means to be an Angeleno. Their collection with Converse was deeply personal, even including nods to Spanto’s battle with cancer, a reminder that fashion can carry emotional weight.

In all their partnerships, the brand maintained its identity. It proved that authenticity could scale—that staying true to your roots could coexist with growth.

Spanto’s Legacy

In 2023, the streetwear and cultural world mourned the loss of Spanto, who passed away after a battle with cancer. His death was a huge blow, not just to Born x Raised, but to the countless communities he inspired. He had built a brand that mattered, and more importantly, a legacy that would outlive any fashion cycle.

Spanto didn’t just make clothes—he made a movement. His life, full of challenges, changes, and comebacks, was reflected in every season, every stitch. Even as Born x Raised continues to evolve, his DNA is stitched into its very core.

Cultural Impact and the Future

Born x Raised has become more than a label; it’s become a symbol. For many young people growing up in LA—and even beyond—it represents pride, place, and persistence. It gives them something to wear that truly reflects who they are, not some corporate version of urban cool.

But even as the brand gets bigger, the mission stays local. Born x Raised still shows up in the communities that raised it—through events, giveaways, school drives, and cultural collaborations that give back. It doesn't just sell to the city; it serves the city.

As streetwear continues to evolve, often drifting into the world of high fashion or luxury, Born x Raised remains grounded. It’s a reminder that the best stories come from the streets, from struggle, from roots that run deep.