[mumblypeg]

I always heard it was a way of expressing “solidarity” with the incarcerated brothers. Belts aren’t allowed in prison. They can be used as weapons, or to commit suicide.

[ETL]

it was a way of expressing “solidarity” with the incarcerated brothers. Belts aren’t allowed in prison. They can be used as weapons, or to commit suicide.

You're probably right. That is what nearly all sources on the internet say.

[Trumpinator]

I always heard it was a way of expressing “solidarity” with the incarcerated brothers. Belts aren’t allowed in prison. They can be used as weapons, or to commit suicide. It was not "solidarity" so much as little kids in the hood looking up at bigger kids in jail and emulating them. The shoelace-less sneaker is also born from this prison fashion. The inmates probably are released off the prison bus without a belt or shoelaces on their sneakers so they walk around like that and it shows they did time which imparts on them a kind of "street cred".