Hak Baker’s sound is hard to categorise. Is it folk? Is it protest? Is it reggae? Well, it’s all of them and more. This may sound like doing too much at once on paper, like a fish and chips shop that also does shawarma, but upon first listen it makes sense. Instead of a mish mash of genres it’s a soothing kaleidoscope of cultures and emotions.
“I like to put it under the conglomerate of G-FOLK, but it’s not that... it’s evolving,” says Baker, adjusting his brown leather Emporio Armani watch on the set of our shoot with the iconic brand. “Subgenres keep appearing in my music, but it’s just my music, and it’s always about being one’s self and fighting the establishment.”
From the police force-criticizing ‘PC Plod’ to the working class woes of ‘Bricks In The Wall’, a lot of Baker’s lyrical work rebels against the system - Bricks built up tall, don't learn nothing at the school/Lads duck and crawl from authority at fault/Computer peaks at our conversational/Political, but no policies at all). But much like his genre-skipping ideology, that’s not what all he’s about. His work can also be celebratory.
“No one really likes to celebrate being a working class person or not having much,” he says. “A common factor in music now seems to be glamourising having loads of jewellery and cars. But what about having a pint with your mate? What about loving your mum? Why can’t we celebrate that? I like to celebrate the small wins because sometimes that’s all people have.”
This humbleness derives from Baker growing up in the Isle of Dogs, a laboring community in East London known for its hard-knock dockers. He had it tough growing up, but instead of lambasting his homeland, he cherishes it.
“Me and my boys and girls mobbed together at a young age. We were each other’s backbones,” he says. “No one had perfect home lives, so we went outside to escape that. We’re really proud East Londoners, but now it’s being encroached by tower blocks and the finance district. It’s lost what it had, but in my memory it was the best place on earth.”
This community-driven part of the Capital has not only inspired his outlook, but also his sense of style. And just like his music, Baker’s 'fits cannot be neatly classified, as he’s inspired by a multitude of iconic subcultures. “My style is really influenced by my Caribbean roots and East London sharp dressing,” he says. “Football terrace culture too, which is a big part of the East End with West Ham. Yardie, rude boy and hip hop as well, but also punk. I first got interested in fashion at school, when I was 12 and saw other kids coming in wearing Emporio Armani jeans and loafers. I'd never seen these things before! There was a level of envy there – I felt like I needed them.”
Plenty to digest, yes, but we can narrow down a few essential pieces in Baker's arsenal, who recognises the importance of finishing touches. Think functional accessories such as crossbody bags and crisp shirts. Crucially, an Emporio Armani watch to elevate his look, whether it’s the chronograph black ceramic watch for timeless timekeeping or the sleek three-hand date brown leather watch for when he needs to make a sartorial impression. But above all, comfort is key when creating a look. “I need to be able to move around. I never know when I’m going to need to hop a fence,” he says.
Style means so much more to Baker than simply looking good though. Much like his diverse music offering, dig under the surface and you’ll find a deeper meaning behind his looks. “Music is a way of expressing yourself and so is fashion,” he explains. “Your look needs to be synonymous with what you’re saying. If I’m performing in a pair of shorts, socks, trainers and no top on, you know what I’m fucking about! I ain’t come here to muck about, I’ve come here to say something.”
A few words from Mr Armani: “Emporio Armani was born in 1981—far ahead of its time. I imagined it as a line with which to experiment, capturing new trends and introducing fashion for all; a container in which everyone can find something and make it their own, interpreting it in a personal way. Today it represents the crosscutting and dynamic version of my concept of style and has not lost its initial spirit of individuality and community, research, and freedom.”
And Baker has plenty to say. Whether it’s on the state of the country, empowering the Windrush generation, or just going out with your mates, this Isle of Dogs lad is all about substance – it’s just a nice little extra that we get some style inspiration too.
“You can feel the difference between a cheap white t-shirt and an Emporio Armani white t-shirt,” he says. “Some people want to drop money for the sake of it, but if you’re going to buy something make sure it feels right, drops nice on your skin, and you don’t feel confined – that’s what fashion is about. It makes you feel good. It’s your armour.”
All clothing and accessories by Emporio Armani
