Met Gala 2024: Black Men’s Red Carpet Looks Over the Years

As we enjoy some great looks from the 2024 Met Gala, let’s revisit the Black men who stood out at the most fashionable event of the year.

The 2024 Met Gala came and went…but not without some great looks from the Black men who attended.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
17 Fashion Trainwrecks from Met Gala 2025

Whether it’s from actors, athletes, or singers, this is the time that these Black men get to shine and show that they can be fashionable as well.

With that in mind, let’s look back at some of the best-dressed Black men at Met Galas in the past.

Usher, 2024

Photo: Getty Images Jamie McCarthy

Although it seems like someone always wears a cape like this everywhere, it’s still a cool thing to see when our favorite celebs pop out in one. 

Damson Idris, 2024

Photo: Getty Images Dia Dipasupil

I know the Met Gala is a chance for men to show off and get in their most fashionable clothing. But it’s never a bad idea to go for a classic look.

Lewis Hamilton, 2024

Photo: Getty Images Gotham

The overcoat is such a subtle touch in this clean outfit from Lewis Hamilton. It brings it all together. 

Odell Beckham, Jr., 2024

Photo: Getty Images Taylor Hill

Although going for a classic look is never a bad idea, it’s sometimes a good idea to add some unique touches to something that would normally be more simple. Look at Odell here. It’s a normal suit, but all the extra colors add to it and make it work for an event like the Met Gala.

Chadwick Boseman, 2018

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

Chadwick Boseman stole the show at the 2018 Met Gala. Coming off of his inspiring and legendary performance in “Black Panther,” Mr. Boseman was feeling like royalty.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 2023

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

One of the most stylish players in the NBA showed everyone is envious of his closet at the 2023 Met Gala, going for this luxurious Black and white fit.

Usher, 2023

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

Opting for an all-Black outfit at fancy events like the Met Gala is never a bad idea. But going with these white shoes gives a pot to Usher’s look.

Michael B. Jordan, 2019

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

I don’t know if Michael B. Jordan gets the credit for being one of the most well-dressed celebrities, but he showed why during his appearance at the 2019 Met Gala.

Kanye West, 2016

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

Love him or hate him, Kanye West has always been one of the most influential entertainers when it comes to fashion trends. This look at the 2016 Met Gala influenced men everywhere to get their hands on a pair of Chelsea boots ASAP.

Stormzy, 2023

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

Does this look like a prom fit? Yeah, I guess. But it’s always nice to see when some of the guys add color to their outfits.

A$AP Rocky, 2021

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

A$AP Rocky is always going to throw you for a loop and wear something you wouldn’t expect. You could’ve known that he would come out wearing a blanket that resembled something your grandma would make at the 2021 Met Gala.

Will.i.am, 2016

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

The theme for the 2016 Met Gala was “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology,” so this futuristic hookup that will.i.am is wearing fits.

Billy Porter, 2019

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

Ignoring his outfit, just look at this entrance! If you enter any event (let alone the Met Gala) like this, heads will turn.

Lil Nas X, 2021

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

At his first Met Gala appearance in 2022, Lil Nas X showed up and showed out in this all-gold cape. But the real show is what he had going on underneath it.

Jaden Smith, 2017

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

It wasn’t enough to just wear an all-Black outfit at the 2017 Met Gala. Jaden Smith also had to show off his recently cut locs to show that he was a new man.

Pharrell, 2018

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

Pharrell Williams and his wife, Helen Lasichanh, were one of the best-dressed couples at the 2018 Met Gala. The bold Stella McCartney jewelry on Pharrell stands out especially well on this outfit.

Lenny Kravitz, 2022

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

Lenny Kravitz is a fashion icon. It’s only right that he wore leather pants during his appearance at the 2022 Met Gala.

Virgil Abloh, 2018

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

Virgil Abloh came dressed for the occasion at the 2018 Met Gala, it’s also cool to see how he added some streetwear to the outfit by wearing his Off-White Jordan 1s.

Kid Cudi, 2022

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

Do you wanna stand out in a room full of fashionistas? Follow Kid Cudi’s lead and opt for an all-blue outfit that has you looking like a futuristic vampire.

Dwyane Wade, 2022

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

All white is always going to make you stand out at public venues. But when you’re in shape like D-Wade, you also have the luxury of showing off your abs.

Frank Ocean, 2021

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

People may find the little alien baby weird, but it goes perfectly with Ocean’s green hair, making for a memorable Met Gala moment.

Lewis Hamilton, 2021

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

For the most part, Lewis Hamilton’s suit looks pretty normal, until you get to the bottom and you notice that his left leg has a dress skirt on it. It makes for a creative look.

Dev Hynes, 2021

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

This Louis Vuitton suit is everything. The pop of color with the handbag makes this outfit shine.

Dapper Dan, 2019

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz // Larry Busacca //

The Harlem Legend came dressed to impress at the 2019 Met Gala in an all-Gucci outfit.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The Best and Worst Wax Figures of Black Celebrities

The Best and Worst Wax Figures of Black Celebrities

Rihanna has added another wax figure doppelganger to her collection of statues …
From Gambling Rumors to Grammy Awards: Bruno Mars' 10-Year Journey Toward His Highly-Anticipated New Album!

From Gambling Rumors to Grammy Awards: Bruno Mars’ 10-Year Journey Toward His Highly-Anticipated New Album!

After a nearly 10-year drought of solo music, Bruno Mars is dropping a new album! Here’s everything he’s been up to in the meantime …
Marjorie Taylor Greene Finally Reveals If She's Officially Turning Democrat

Marjorie Taylor Greene Finally Reveals If She’s Officially Turning Democrat

Marjorie Taylor Greene– disliked by Democrats and alienated from Republicans — addresses rumors of possibly switching parties …
Cynthia Erivo's Best and Worst Red Carpet Looks

Cynthia Erivo’s Best and Worst Red Carpet Looks

Let’s take a look at Cynthia Erivo’s best and worst fashion moments, in honor of her birthday! …
Connecticut Woman Caught in Elaborate Online Dating Scam Loses This Wild Amount of Money

Connecticut Woman Caught in Elaborate Online Dating Scam Loses This Wild Amount of Money

Jackie Crenshaw is warning others about the dangers of online scams after losing nearly all of her savings to a man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with …
Chicago, NYC Mayors Brandon Johnson, Zohran Mamdani Slam ICE Following Shooting Death

Chicago, NYC Mayors Brandon Johnson, Zohran Mamdani Slam ICE Following Shooting Death

After Renee Good was shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis Wednesday, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Mayor Zohran Mamdani is drawing a line in the sand …
Why ICE Fatally Shooting a White Woman Makes All the Difference In the World

Why ICE Fatally Shooting a White Woman Makes All the Difference In the World

OPINION: Renee Nicole Good is not the first person an ICE agent has killed. But it’s the first that’s garnering collective outrage…for one reason …
Tina Knowles Reveals Little Known Facts About Blue Ivy

Tina Knowles Reveals Little Known Facts About Blue Ivy

As Blue Ivy Carter celebrated her 14th birthday, her proud grandmother Tina Knowles is dishing out some interesting trivia about her! …
Video Shows Ray J Lying in Las Vegas Hospital

Video Shows Ray J Lying in Las Vegas Hospital

Ray J has been admitted into a Las Vegas hospital for pneumonia, just four years since he struggled with the lung infection in 2021 …
From George Floyd to Renee Good: Minneapolis Faces New Trauma After ICE Agent Kills Mother on Video

From George Floyd to Renee Good: Minneapolis Faces New Trauma After ICE Agent Kills Mother on Video

Renee Nicole Good has been identified as the woman shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis on Wednesday …
Why Cam Newton Is Getting <i>Dragged</i> for His Comments About the Bible and Weddings

Why Cam Newton Is Getting Dragged for His Comments About the Bible and Weddings

NFL star Cam Newton is giving his hot takes about love and marriage once again and unfortunately for him–folks online are vehemently disagreeing. Let’s get into it! …
DMX performs onstage during the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour at The Forum on October 4, 2016 in Inglewood, California. Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter for Live Nation

DMX Will Be Posthumously Ordained as a Minister in a Move That Proves His Divine Calling Was Always Real

The late-DMX will be posthumously ordained as a Christian minister at the Foster Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, a historic Underground Railroad site …
How Detroit's First Female Mayor Made History—Again, With This Major Announcement Only 4 Days in Office

How Detroit’s First Female Mayor Made History—Again, With This Major Announcement Only 4 Days in Office

Mary Sheffield was sworn in as Detroit’s first woman mayor on January 1, and by January 5, she was already changing lives for the better! …
20 Years After 'The Secret,' How Black Folks Still Use Vision Boards to Create The Life They Want

20 Years After ‘The Secret,’ How Black Folks Still Use Vision Boards to Create The Life They Want

Black women everywhere are using vision boards as motivation to create the lives they want in 2026 …
'Scary Spice' Mel B.'s Eldest Daughter Looks Just Like Her -- and She's Following in Mom's Footsteps!

‘Scary Spice’ Mel B.’s Eldest Daughter Looks Just Like Her — and She’s Following in Mom’s Footsteps!

Mel B.’s eldest daughter Phoenix Brown is carving out a lane of her own but following similarly in her mother’s footsteps! Let’s take a look …
Alexis Ohanian’s Latest Clapback Proves Why Online Trolls Should Keep Serena Williams’ Name Out of Their Mouths

Alexis Ohanian’s Latest Clapback Proves Why Online Trolls Should Keep Serena Williams’ Name Out of Their Mouths

Alexis Ohanian wasn’t afraid to clap back at online trolls who has accused his wife, Serena Williams, of bleaching her skin …
How New Jersey Cops Accused of Racism Collected <i>Millions</i> in Pay for Years After Suspension...Until Now

How New Jersey Cops Accused of Racism Collected Millions in Pay for Years After Suspension…Until Now

After spewing racial slurs, these three New Jersey officers got entangled in a bribery and racism scheme that is finally coming to an end …
How This Georgia Lawmaker's Alleged Use of COVID-19 Funds Got Her Slapped With Federal Charges

How This Georgia Lawmaker’s Alleged Use of COVID-19 Funds Got Her Slapped With Federal Charges

Prosecutors charged former Georgia lawmaker Karen Bennett for allegedly receiving pandemic benefits she wasn’t qualified for…but she’s not alone …
'SNL' Chris Redd Finally Opens Up About Selling Drugs to Castmates and Dating This Star's Ex-Wife

‘SNL’ Chris Redd Finally Opens Up About Selling Drugs to Castmates and Dating This Star’s Ex-Wife

‘SNL’ star Chris Redd is sharing like never before and what he was to say will no doubt surprise you! …
The Sad But Hilarious Story of R&B Songstress Phyllis Hyman Coming For Deon Cole on Stage

The Sad But Hilarious Story of R&B Songstress Phyllis Hyman Coming For Deon Cole on Stage

Comedian Deon Cole shared an unbelievable story about a famous heckler who was not shy about letting him know that she was not amused …