What is Rave Kandi?

Based on the concept of friendship bracelets, rave kandi is exchanged to commemorate a friendship or memorialize a special moment.

A rave Kandi bracelet is a type of accessory hand-made out of multi-colored plastic beads and/or pony beads. Typically, Kandi is made in the form of bracelets and necklaces, with a combination of letters, colored beads, numbers, and attached trinkets.

Although hippies did it first in the ’60s with friendship bracelets, the tradition has poured into other communities such as the American rave culture. Originating in Los Angeles in the early 1990s, the underground free party scene in California created a subculture of the rave community that was known to wear a significant amount of rave Kandi. Some would even call them “Kandi kids'”.

The bracelets became a cultural movement in the American electronic dance community. The wholesome movement became a dedicated handshake designed to symbolize rave culture’s core values of PLUR–peace, love, unity, and respect through the exchange of rave Kandi.

Once the two parties respectfully reach the end of the handshake, both hands interlock in unity, allowing each raver to transfer their chosen Kandi to the other. The ritual also serves as a positive affirmation and to reassure trust for surrounding ravers.

Ravers are encouraged to exchange with anybody they seek a connection with and to even handmake some of their own to give away. Especially if it is their first rave or first time receiving Kandi! Decades later, the colorful accessory has only evolved into a core aspect of American rave culture as a way to communicate with other ravers that they are seen, acknowledged, accepted, and loved.

Throughout the years, the popular rave accessory has become a more intricate art with complex designs. Detailed and complex Kandi accessories such as cuffs are considered an honor to be received at a rave. These unique cuffs are made by stacking rows of beads, some are even designed to have a rotating cuff.  Others create complex designs of necklaces, masks, belts, and headbands.