Every Hip-Hop T-Shirt Eddie Huang Wore in the First Season of “Fresh Off the Boat”

Every single hip-hop T-shirt worn in the first season of "Fresh Off the Boat."

Apr 22, 2015
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Complex Original

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Complex Original

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The debut season of Eddie Huang’s memoir-inspired series Fresh Off the Boat may have had its ups and downs—praise for showcasing Asian Americans on primetime television, and criticism from its very own muse. But what the show did succeed in was our constant nostalgia for all things '90s (think Shaq Fu, Rugrats, Lunchables). Young Huang’s wardrobe, worn by actor Hudson Yang, featured hip-hop heavy T-shirts that hat-tipped some of the decade’s greatest musical acts. We rounded up all 13 episodes of '90s-era tees, where you can get your own, and why Huang’s Beastie Boys tour shirt has the city Berkeley spelled wrong.

Nas “Illmatic” Tee

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Episode: “Pilot”

Original air date: February 4, 2015

A staple in Huang’s wardrobe, this Nas Illmatic T-shirt makes an appearance in every episode thanks to the show’s opening credits.

Nas "Illmatic" Cover T-Shirt, $19, available at shirts.com

Custom Tee

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Episode: “Pilot”

Original air date: February 10, 2015

According to the show’s costume designer Debra McGuire, this T-shirt was custom-made for the pilot episode. Any clothing showcasing artists and their artwork had to get approval—a not-so-simple feat. “Most of that stuff is original art of manipulated [artwork],” she said to Fashionista.

Notorious B.I.G. Tee

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Episode: “Pilot”

Original air date: February 10, 2015

One of three Biggie-themed shirts that you see throughout the debut season.

The Biggie Tee, $21, available at jackthreads.com

Wu-Tang Forever Tee

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Episode: “Pilot”

Original air date: February 4, 2015

This tee? Wu-approved. What would have been doper? Vintage Wu-Wear, of course.

Wu-Tang Forever T-Shirt Black, $10, available at target.com

Cross Colours Tee

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Episode: “Home Sweet Home-School”

Original air date: February 4, 2015



Cross Colours Originals launched in the ’90s and recently experienced a revamp thanks to the resurgence of streetwear.



The Cross Roads Tee in Multi & Back, $10 available at plndr.com



Notorious B.I.G. Tee

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Episode: “Home Sweet Home-School”

Original air date: February 4, 2015

Different Biggie shirt, same Coogi sweater.

Notorious B.I.G. T-shirt, $10, available at target.com

Public Enemy Tee

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Episode: “The Shunning”

Original air date: February 17, 2015

Fresh Off the Boat highlights Public Enemy as the source that sparks Huang’s love for hip-hop.

Public Enemy Fight the Power T-Shirt, $19, available at mltd.com

Pharcyde “Bizarre Ride II” Tee

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Episode: “The Shunning”

Original air date: February 10, 2015

Pharcyde’s 1992 debut album cover makes for an awesome all-over print. And “Passing Me By” fittingly plays during a scene where Huang discovers his grade school crush.

Bizarre Ride II All Over Print, $40, available at merchswag.com

Wu-Tang Forever Tee

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Episode: “Success Perm”

Original air date: February 10, 2015

The Wu-Tang Forever shirt makes another appearance.

Wu-Tang Forever T-Shirt Black, $10, available at target.com

Notorious B.I.G. “Sky's the Limit” Tee

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Episode: “Success Perm”

Original air date: February 10, 2015

The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1994 Ready to Die album art meets his 1997 “Sky’s the Limit” single from Life After Death.

The Notorious B.I.G. “Sky’s the Limit” Tee, $22, available at spencersonline.com

Notorious B.I.G. Tee

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Episode: “Persistent Romeo”

Original air date: February 17, 2015

Told you that this tee would be popping up again.

The Biggie Tee, $21, available at jackthreads.com

Public Enemy Tee

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Episode: “Persistent Romeo”

Original air date: February 17, 2015

The Public Enemy tee appears to fight the power for another episode.

Public Enemy Fight the Power T-Shirt, $19, available at mltd.com

Custom Tee

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Episode: “Fajita Man”

Original air date: February 24, 2015

Noticing a pattern? Fresh Off the Boat stylist Debra McGuire’s custom-made T-shirt makes its second round.

Pharcyde “Bizarre Ride II” Tee

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Episode: “Fajita Man”

Original air date: February 24, 2015

As does the Pharcyde tee.

Bizarre Ride II All Over Print, $40, available at merchswag.com”

Unknown Tee

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Episode: “Showdown at the Golden Saddle”

Original air date: March 3, 2015



Dinner at Baohaus is on us if you can ID this graphic T-shirt.



Mobb Deep Tee

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Episode: “Showdown at the Golden Saddle”

Original air date: March 3, 2015

The logo for hip-hop duo Mobb Deep, first seen on their 1995 album, makes for a classic graphic T-shirt.

Mobb Deep Mens Infamous T-Shirt, $18, available at dresscodeclothing.com

Notorious B.I.G. “Sky's the Limit” Teee

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Episode: “Showdown at the Golden Saddle”

Original air date: March 3, 2015

There's no limit to how often young Eddie Huang can wear this Biggie tee.

The Notorious B.I.G. "Sky’s the Limit" Tee, $22, available at spencersonline.com

Beastie Boys Tee

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Episode: “Phillip Goldstein”

Original air date: March 10, 2015

"We did a mock-up of this Beastie Boys shirt with the album cover and fake cities on the back," explains McGuire. "You’ll notice that the city Berkeley is misspelled. That should make it worth even more on eBay in 10 years."

Cross Colours Tee

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Episode: “Phillip Goldstein”

Original air date: March 10, 2015



Cross Colours Originals gets another on-screen shout out.



The Cross Roads Tee in Multi & Back, $10 available at plndr.com



Public Enemy Tee

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Episode: “Phillip Goldstein”

Original air date: March 10, 2015

The Public Enemy tee is back.

Public Enemy Fight the Power T-Shirt, $19, available at mltd.com

Custom Tee

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Episode: “Phillip Goldstein”

Original air date: March 10, 2015

Third time's a charm for this custom tee.

Notorious B.I.G. Tee

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Episode: “License to Sell”

Original air date: March 24, 2015

This episode recycles two Biggie tees. First, the white one of him rocking the Coogi sweater.

The Biggie Tee, $21, available at jackthreads.com”

Notorious B.I.G. “Sky's the Limit” Teee

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Episode: “License to Sell”

Original air date: March 24, 2015

It's followed up by the “Sky's the Limit” tee.

The Notorious B.I.G. “Sky’s the Limit” Tee, $22, available at spencersonline.com

Notorious B.I.G. Tee

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Episode: “Very Superstitious”

Original air date: April 7, 2015

After an episode sans hip-hop homage tees, this Biggie tee returns.

Notorious B.I.G. T-shirt, $10, available at target.com

Pharcyde “Bizarre Ride II” Tee

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Episode: “Very Superstitious”

Original air date: April 7, 2015

And the Bizarre Ride II tee comes back for its third ride.

Bizarre Ride II All Over Print, $40, available at merchswag.com

Cross Colours Tee

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Episode: “Dribbling Tiger, Bounce Pass Dragon”

Original air date:  April 14, 2015



The Cross Colours tee returns in Season 1's penultimate episode.



The Cross Roads Tee in Multi & Black, $10 available at plndr.com



Wu-Tang Forever Tee

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Episode: “Dribbling Tiger, Bounce Pass Dragon”

Original air date: April 14, 2015

So does the Wu-Tang Forever tee.

Wu-Tang Forever T-Shirt Black, $10, available at target.com

Geto Boys “Uncut Dope” Tee

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Episode: “So Chineez”

Original air date: April 21, 2015

Finally, some freshness! The sophomore album Uncut Dope (1992) by H-Town rap group Geto Boys has a quick cameo on Fresh Off the Boat’s season finale. Chances are this is another custom piece by the wardrobe department, so check out the real thing here.

Public Enemy Tee

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Episode: “So Chineez”

Original air date: April 21, 2015

Appropriately, the season ends with the tee that got our protagonist into hip-hop in the first place.

Public Enemy Fight the Power T-Shirt, $19, available at mltd.com

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