Detroit's Lowrider Culture

A tradition, a religion, a way of life.

Blue Lowrider 1 (2017-07-25) by Serena Maria DanielsLatino USA

DETROIT — Spring is a special time of year on Detroit’s Southwest side, known by many as Mexicantown. It’s a time when Latinos wear their culture proudly, starting with a Cinco de Mayo parade.

Brandon with Lowrider (2017-07-25) by Serena Maria DanielsLatino USA

Large chunks of the main drag are blocked off, as girls in flowing folklórico dresses. And then, of course, there’s the Blessing of the Lowriders. Brandon-Baylock, 9, poses in front of a lowrider.

Inside Lowrider 5 (2017-07-25) by Serena Maria DanielsLatino USA

The aesthetic, often associated in pop culture with old school West Coast gangster rap videos, wasn’t exactly embraced by residents.

Majestics (2017-07-25) by Serena Maria DanielsLatino USA

Among the early national car clubs to make their way to Detroit was the Majestics, an outfit that got its start in the LA suburb of Norwalk in 1963.

A Peaceful Legacy (2017-07-25) by Serena Maria DanielsLatino USA

The Arellano Cruz family forms a procession to bless each car on display, May 7, 2017 at the Blessing of the Lowriders event in southwest Detroit

Grey Lowrider 3 (2017-07-25) by Serena Maria DanielsLatino USA

Spring is a special time of year on Detroit’s Southwest side, known by many as Mexicantown. There’s the Blessing of the Lowriders.

Credits: Story

Story and Photos by Serena Maria Daniels

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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