Built on Grit: The Rise of Born x Raised

Born x Raised: The Heartbeat of a City, Woven into Streetwear

Born x Raised isn’t just a brand—it’s a voice, a movement, and a deeply personal reflection of Los Angeles. At its core, it’s a love letter to neighborhoods that have been overlooked, reshaped, or erased. Founded in 2013 by Chris “Spanto” Printup and Alex “2Tone” Erdmann, Born x Raised began as a reaction to the gentrification that was sweeping through LA, displacing families, demolishing heritage, and redefining entire communities without regard for their origins. In a world where fashion often borrows without acknowledgment, Born x Raised does the opposite—it defends, honors, and celebrates where it comes from.

From Loss to Legacy

Spanto, a Native American and Chicano creative from Venice, Los Angeles, saw the writing on the wall early. The Venice he grew up in was disappearing. The neighborhoods he knew, once full of culture and identity, were being transformed to fit a new aesthetic—one without roots in the local community. Born x Raised was born out of that pain, pride, and resistance. It wasn’t created to chase trends or to fit the fashion world’s mold; it was made to represent a people, a mindset, and a history that deserved to be preserved.

Sadly, Spanto passed away in 2023, but his vision remains alive in every piece the brand puts out. His presence is still felt in the textures, the colors, and especially the messaging. Every drop, every collaboration, every graphic tee screams authenticity, and every release honors Spanto’s original intention: to never forget where you came from.

More Than Merch: A Cultural Statement

Born x Raised speaks with an unapologetic voice. It doesn’t cater to the masses. Instead, it challenges them to understand the deeper layers of culture, pain, history, and resilience sewn into each garment. Its designs often feature bold fonts, gritty photography, and raw slogans that reference LA’s street politics, community pride, or Indigenous and Chicano roots.

But it’s not just about visuals. The soul of the brand lies in the storytelling. Born x Raised uses clothing as a canvas to express truths that don’t often get mainstream attention. Topics like displacement, community resistance, local legends, and cultural pride are central themes. It’s clothing that speaks, clothing that remembers.

Community First, Always

From the beginning, Born x Raised has prioritized giving back. The brand has sponsored local events, supported charitable causes, and stayed involved with the youth in its neighborhoods. This isn’t performative activism—it’s genuine. Whether it’s feeding people during holidays, hosting skate events, or simply representing people who rarely see themselves in fashion media, Born x Raised has always put the community before clout.

Their commitment to authenticity has earned them respect not just in LA, but globally. Still, no matter how big the brand grows, it remains deeply rooted in its original mission. You don’t have to be from Los Angeles to connect with Born x Raised; you just have to understand what it means to love your home, to fight for your people, and to resist being erased.

The Grit and Glamour of Collaboration

Over the years, Born x Raised has done what few other streetwear labels have—walked the tightrope between underground credibility and high-profile collaboration. They’ve linked with names like Converse, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Lakers, and even Nike. These partnerships are never about hype alone—they always carry the brand’s DNA.

For example, their collaboration with the Dodgers wasn’t just about putting a logo on a cap. It was a historic moment—Born x Raised became the first streetwear brand to design official gear for an MLB team in a way that authentically spoke for the local fans. It was a celebration of Chicano culture, working-class pride, and Dodger blue, all rolled into one.

The same philosophy applied to their Nike collaboration. Instead of riding on Nike’s brand power, they brought their own stories and symbolism to the table. The result wasn’t just a shoe—it was a message in motion, walking through city streets as wearable art.

Aesthetic With An Attitude

Visually, Born x Raised sits in a unique place in the streetwear world. It’s not minimalist, yet it doesn’t feel overly flashy. The designs often pull from punk aesthetics, gang culture, and local iconography, blending vintage LA references with bold typographic statements. Pieces might feature slogans like “On the Turf” or “No One Likes Us and We Don’t Care,” asserting a confrontational confidence that is both defiant and deeply personal.

Color palettes often reflect the rawness of urban landscapes—earth tones, heavy blacks, bold blues, and metallics that feel gritty, grounded, and real. You can tell that every decision, from design to delivery, comes from lived experience rather than marketing metrics.

Legacy Carved in Concrete

Born x Raised isn’t just about being seen—it’s about being remembered. That’s why its work resonates with so many. In a time where streetwear has become increasingly corporate and disconnected from the streets themselves, Born x Raised stands out as a reminder of what this culture was always meant to be: real, rebellious, and rooted.

Spanto once said that “the goal isn’t just to make clothes—it’s to represent a lifestyle, a culture, a way of thinking.” That mission continues to this day. Every drop feels like a reminder that real culture can’t be bought, copied, or diluted. It’s earned, lived, and protected.

The Future Is Still Local

As Born x Raised continues to grow, the challenge is to stay true to its roots while navigating global demand. But if the past decade has proven anything, it’s that this brand won’t compromise its integrity for popularity. With 2Tone still steering the ship and Spanto’s spirit guiding its direction, Born x Raised is poised to continue pushing boundaries, telling stories, and repping for the real ones.

Whether you’ve worn their gear or just felt their energy through the culture, one thing’s clear: Born x Raised is more than fashion. It’s a flag for those who know where they’re from—and who’ll never let the world forget it.