Offset Credits Michael Jackson and Military School for Influencing His Style

Offset says his military school past and his love of Michael Jackson played a pivotal role in his style.

In a new interview with Billboard, the 32-year-old rapper discussed his personal style influences and his love of fashion, particularly streetwear, while shopping at the Dover Street Market in New York City. Two of his children, Wave and Kulture, whom he shares with Cardi B, also made appearances.

“Streetwear is at all time high. It's crazy, it's so many young street designers they get they whole style copied from the bigger brands in the first place,” said Offset at the 33-second mark in the video above. “You catch those vibes and those waves of the young people. The streetwear people? You in the door, man. You don't gotta spend all that money.”

When asked about spending time in military school, which Offset says was due to getting in some trouble growing up, he admits that he still incorporates formal, military-style uniform looks into his wardrobe—especially as a nod to the late King of Pop, who he named as one of his biggest influences.

“A uniform is always well put together. That's crazy you say that ‘cuz that's where probably my inspo comes from ‘cuz I love military jackets. Michael Jackson always loved the military, that was his inspo,” he said.

Offset also gave a shout out to fellow Atlanta-native André 3000 for his unique and sometimes unconventional looks, like the iconic green outfit he wore in the “Hey Ya” music video.

“I love that cuz I feel like in Atlanta, it's kind of, like, ‘Don't do too much.’ But he wasn't afraid to think outside the box and go left,” Off said of the OutKast rapper. “At first, I believe people didn't like really get what he was doing but now people be like ‘He's an icon in fashion.’ Sometimes people gotta catch up later on.”