Kandi Raver

This article is part of a series on Rave

A Kandi Raver or Kandi Kid is a person who participates in kandi culture, a practice characterized by creating and exchanging beaded jewelry, primarily within the rave scene of the United States, which distinguishes it from the broader international rave scene.

Kandi involves the creation of bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and other accessories using colorful beads. These beads are typically made of plastic, although wood and metal variants exist. The colors used in kandi often carry symbolic meanings, such as white representing peace, pink representing love, and yellow representing happiness.

The practice of creating and trading kandi is closely associated with the PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect) ethos. Kandi is exchanged as a gesture of friendship and goodwill, with the act of trading, known as "kandi swapping," viewed as a means of establishing deeper connections between persons.^[1]

The term "kandi" originates from "candy necklace," reflecting the jewelry's resemblance to candy-like bead arrangements. The practice of wearing kandi at raves dates back to the early 1990s, originating in the United States, particularly within the Los Angeles nightclub scene.

History[]

Kandi, characterized by brightly colored beaded bracelets, is a prominent feature of rave culture, particularly within the United States. These bracelets are exchanged as symbols of friendship and connection, embodying the PLUR ethos: Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. The origins of PLUR can be traced to a 1993 rave in the Bronx, where DJ Frankie Bones, in an attempt to de-escalate a fight, promoted "peace, love, and unity." This message evolved into the acronym PLUR, with "Respect" added later. The term "Kandi Kid" or "Kandi Raver" designates individuals who engage in kandi culture.

The tradition of kandi likely developed from friendship bracelets, which are similarly made and exchanged to symbolize bonds. Kandi creation is often viewed as a personal and creative endeavor, with store-bought kandi sometimes perceived as less authentic. Kandi has expanded beyond simple bracelets to include a variety of creative forms, such as cuffs, necklaces, masks, and even clothing adorned with beads. Some kandi enthusiasts create intricate three-dimensional structures and incorporate materials like perler beads to form pixelated designs.

The PLUR handshake, a ritualized exchange of kandi, reinforces the values it represents. Each element of PLUR is associated with a specific gesture: Peace is represented by a peace sign with fingers touching; Love is symbolized by both parties forming half a heart with their hands, joining them to create a whole; Unity is conveyed by clasping hands together; Respect is shown by passing kandi bracelets between the clasped hands. This exchange is often followed by a hug, strengthening the connection. Kandi worn on the right arm is typically available for trade, while kandi on the left arm is not. While kandi and PLUR are most prevalent in the US rave scene, their underlying values of community and connection are found in global rave culture.

The history of kandi is intertwined with the development of the US rave scene during the 1990s and early 2000s. Some sources suggest that kandi originated as a means for individuals to signal the availability of drugs at raves. However, kandi's visual appeal led to its widespread adoption, regardless of drug use. The colorful pony bead jewelry became a symbol of the rave community.

Older websites, imageboards, and forums associated with the emo/scene subculture from the 2000s document the popularity of kandi beyond rave settings. While these subcultures did not originate kandi, they contributed to its wider dissemination.

Kandi creation varies in time depending on complexity. Simple bracelets can take approximately 10 minutes to make, while more elaborate designs, such as cuffs or masks, can require an hour or more.

The use of beaded bracelets as a means of signaling social bonds has historical precedents. Friendship bracelets were popular among children in the 1980s and 1990s. Taylor Swift fans' adoption of similar "friendship bracelets" during her ERAS tour reflects this broader history.

Kandi serves multiple functions within rave culture. It acts as an identity badge, indicating membership in the rave community. It also facilitates social interaction, with kandi trading serving as a means of connecting with other ravers. Kandi creation is a form of artistic expression, allowing participants to convey personal messages and creativity.

The adoption of kandi-like bracelets by Taylor Swift fans has led to discussions about cultural appropriation.^[2] While some ravers express concern about the dilution of their culture, others emphasize the PLUR values of inclusivity and acceptance. They argue that the spread of kandi-related practices to new communities is a positive development.

Fashion[]

Kandi is the primary defining element of Kandi Raver fashion, extending beyond simple bracelets to include cuffs, necklaces, masks, and even clothing items such as skirts and bras. Kandi is made from a variety of materials, most commonly plastic beads, and sometimes incorporates wood, metal, and perler beads to create pixelated designs.

Secondarily, Kandi Ravers often wear colorful and vibrant clothing and accessories. In the 1990s, this included phat pants or bell-bottom jeans.^[3] More contemporary Kandi Raver style is characterized by creative use of kandi itself, alongside other vibrant garments and accessories, such as rainbow stockings, leg warmers, over-the-top makeup, and dyed hair.

Philosophy[]

PLUR, an acronym for Peace, Love, Unity, Respect, serves as a core philosophy within rave culture, originating in the United States. It gained prominence in the early 1990s, becoming prevalent in nightclub and rave flyers, as well as on paraphernalia advertising underground outdoor trance music parties. PLUR has since become part of the larger rave and electronic dance music culture.

PLUR functions as an essential ethical guideline for many ravers, particularly in interpersonal relationships. It provides basic directions for behavior at rave gatherings or in dance clubs. This philosophy underpins the tribal dance culture that emerged with the rise of the internet, theoretically taking precedence over chemical or musical aspects of the rave scene. Raves are viewed as modern ritualistic experiences, fostering a communal sense, where PLUR is considered an ideology. The four terms of PLUR are part of a broader "Raver's Manifesto" by an anonymous author, which also includes terms such as "Freedom, Tolerance, Harmony, Expression, and Responsibility."

Each term within PLUR carries a specific meaning: Peace involves the resolution of negative emotions and conflict; Love entails performing acts and sharing feelings of goodwill towards others, with gestures like hugging being common; Unity involves welcoming others into the community, regardless of personal differences; Respect involves showing sensitivity for the feelings of others, accepting one another with tolerance, and treating others as one would like to be treated.

PLUR is an aggregation of ideas from the earlier hippie and peace movement (peace, love) and black and hip-hop culture (respect). The specific use of the term dates to the early 1990s rave scene. DJ Frankie Bones is credited with popularizing the term in June 1993. In response to a fight at one of his Storm Raves in Brooklyn, Bones urged the crowd to show "peace, love, and unity." It is also reported that Frankie's brother and Storm Rave collaborator Adam X painted "Peace Love Unity" on a train car as early as July 4, 1990. The fourth term, "Respect," was championed by Laura La Gassa.

Variations of PLUR exist, such as PLURR (Peace. Love. Unity. Respect. Responsibility) and PLUM (Peace, Love, Unity, Movement). However, these variations are not as prevalent. The first three elements, "Peace, Love, Unity," are sometimes used separately.