When Rappers and Sneakers Collide: A Case Study
All Nas needed was one mic, but if you ask any of these rappers, they might prefer a FootLocker discount…
Collage property of The Culture Crypt and Hannah Obikudu.
The movie Spider-Man 3 (2007) introduces us to the symbiote. A black, alien pathogen that coaxes the mild-mannered Peter Parker and morphs him into a more powerful, albeit a more obnoxious version of himself—fringe'n all. Like Spider-Man and his black-suited symbiote, rappers arguably have a symbiotic relationship with their kicks. Strapping leather and nubuck-bound artillery to their feet, sneakers have graced everything from brand collaborations to album covers and magazine spreads.
Sneakers and rappers are so intertwined that many of the genre's greats—and even newcomers—have their own shoe or sneaker collaboration. There are rare grails, like the MF DOOM, Wu-Tang Clan, or N.E.R.D Nike SB Dunks, candy-coloured duds like Soulja Boy's 2008 'Yums', and slept-on releases like Action Bronson's New Balance 1906R, Reebok's G-Unit line, or the Terror Squad Air Force 1s.
Many of the industry's top wordsmiths and rap moguls have long straddled the worlds of music and fashion, seamlessly intermingling both in their creative expression. From Purple Tape Diadora's to Phat Farm footwear—there are too many rap sneaker artefacts to name. These collaborations have overtaken the sneaker market like the morally murky symbiote coiled around Spider-Man's suit in their own poetic, abstract way.
Fear not, though. We've compiled a list of our top ten sneaker collabs on our radar for your viewing pleasure. Actually, let's make it a top 12 for pure controversy's sake, depth, and the fact that each entry might just be a dope shoe in general. It's not just about a fashion line or artists collaborating with high-end footwear brands to release merch; it's about the delicate and beautiful fusion of music and fashion, intertwining to create something truly unique.
Kendrick Lamar x Reebok Ventilator 'Red & Blue' (2015)
Before the cushiony K-Dot Nike React Element 55 from 2019, Kendrick Lamar quietly teamed up with Reebok in July 2015 to release the Ventilator sneaker—a collaboration that has largely flown under the radar since. This release followed two of his most iconic albums: good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012) and To Pimp a Butterfly (2015).
What made this collaboration so characteristic of Kendrick's motivations was the colourway of this particular sneaker. At first glance, what looks like a pair of beige suede sneakers, which is not too imposing or distinctive, carries an important message of unity. Each pair had both soles coloured in red and blue, representing unity between two rival gangs, the Piru Bloods and Compton Crips, from his hometown of Compton, California.
In a 2016 GQ interview, Kendrick explained that contrary to most, he "doesn't care about the sneaker hype". He focuses more on paying homage to and honouring those kids in Compton when he was known as K-Dot and Kung Fu Kenny.
K-Dot's sneaker collaborations didn't stop there, though. In 2017, he partnered with Nike two days after being challenged by the late Kobe Bryant to show his "mamba mentality". Then came the Nike "Cortez Kenny 1s" in a bold red colourway with the classic swoosh replaced with an embroidered DAMN. after his Pulitzer Prize-winning at the 2018 Grammy Awards. In short, justice for the K-Dot Ventilator for laying the groundwork for the rapper's future sneaker successes.
Dizzee Rascal x Ben Drury x Nike Air Max 90 'Tongue N Cheek' (2009)
Dizzee Rascal's rise as a pioneer of British hip-hop is forever etched in the memories and mental history books of grime fans globally. By 2009, Dizzee was gearing up to leave his grime roots behind to enter a new era of gloss-coated pop music when techno beats, club sounds, and synths became gold dust. The Tongue N Cheek Air Max 90s (named after his album of the same name) perfectly mirrored this shift in Dizzee's music.
Drawing from the album's colour palette, the sneaker featured premium tan suede leather, a 3M reflective heel tab, and distinctive coral red tongues—a nod to the album title's ironic "tongue in cheek" nature.
The sneaker's playful colour scheme symbolised his transition to a more mainstream, polished sound while paying homage to the iconic Nike Air Max as a staple in UK streetwear. Though Tongue N Cheek became Dizzee's most commercially successful album, it had a lukewarm critical reception.
The Guardian noted his earlier work made listeners feel "like they were being mugged in the middle of an amusement arcade." At the same time, they described the new album's "distorted synthesisers" as "still edgily thrilling." Despite the controversy, this collaboration remains a crucial moment in the history of Air Max, grime culture, and Dizzee Rascal's creative evolution.
Kanye West x A Bathing Ape's 'College Dropout' BAPESTA (2007)
Building upon the testing ground of his Jay-Z-helmed Reebok x S. Carter' Dropout Bear' sample sneaker, The College Dropout BAPESTA has become a grail for many. And it's not just about the shoe itself. Many dedicated Kanye West fans see his debut studio album, 2004's The College Dropout, as his magnum opus. The album is a stunning hip-hop mosaic where Ye tackles everything from everyday struggles to the educational system's flaws and the materialism affecting young Black lives.
This partnership, emblematic of the 2000s, represents an era many still feel nostalgic for, debuting three years after the album's release. The childish "chipmunk soul" genre of sped-up vocals, pitched up to resemble the chipmunk effect, is fittingly reflected in the somewhat juvenile and nostalgic charm of this BAPESTA. We could go on about this shoe, but its history is well-documented.
Kanye West's Nike Air Yeezy Line (2009-2014)
Kanye West's 2009 release of the Air Yeezy marked Nike's first non-athlete collaboration project, solidifying his role as a pioneer in the sneaker industry. Widely praised for his natural design talent, West was lauded by Nike's creative director, Mark Smith, who called him a "truly creative talent" and a "natural designer." This collaboration was historic for Nike, as it was their first full creative partnership with a non-athlete.
The Air Yeezy drew inspiration from the retro Nike Air Tech Challenge II, Air Jordan III, and IV—combining high-top athletic silhouettes to create a futuristic design reminiscent of the Nike Mag sneakers Marty McFly wore in the Back to the Future series.
As a testament to West's artistic vision, a rare black colourway prototype worn at the 2008 Grammys sold at auction for $1.8 million—according to Sotheby's—setting a record for the highest price ever paid for sneakers. The Yeezy's arrival at the start of the 2010s signalled a new era of innovation and avant-garde design in footwear.
Dior x Nike Air Jordan 1 High OG (2020)
The early 2020s marked a period of experimentation and avant-gardism for luxury fashion houses. Dior, for example, teamed up with Nike to create a crossover between high fashion and streetwear, blending couture with the beloved Air Jordan sneaker.
The collaboration gained momentum, with rappers like Roddy Ricch and Travis Scott fronting the campaign and modelling the sneakers in editorial campaigns—infusing the release with cultural cachet. However, 2020 also saw the rise of an unexpected connection between Dior and the late New York rapper Pop Smoke. His hit song "Dior", with its gritty vocals, became an anthem, cementing the track as a signature of his meteoric rise before his untimely death.
The catchy chorus—"Mike Amiri, Mike Amiri / Christian Dior, Dior / I'm up in all the stores"—was lodged in listeners' heads, elevating the brand to new heights among younger audiences. Though this wasn't a formal collaboration, Pop Smoke undeniably brought fresh attention to Dior, shaping its image for a new generation even after his passing. This, alongside hip-hop's longstanding ties to luxury with the likes of Dapper Dan, makes this sneaker almost a full-circle moment for the culture.
Skepta x Nike Air Max Tailwind 5 'Skepta' (2021)
Image property of Nike.
Skepta's Nike Air Max Tailwind collaboration, inspired by the Monarch Butterfly, marked his final design with Nike before transitioning to PUMA. Speaking on the Tailwind silhouette, Skepta reportedly expanded his creative universe by revisiting and reimagining the design principles of the Air Max Tailwind 5.
As an iconic figure in Black British culture in music and fashion, Skepta became a legend in UK streetwear and fashion alike. This Tailwind V collab has been released in the colourways: 'Chrome Blue' and 'Bloody Chrome' as a new feature of a long SK history with Nike Air beginning in 2017 with the Air Max 97 SK.
Since its inception in 1987, the Air Max has become an essential sneaker in the UK or London streetwear culture. Skepta has carried on this tradition through his series of Air Max designs since his first one in 2017.
This collab highlights the importance of Air Max collaborations for the London musical greats as an homage to the iconic sneaker and the young people who wear them. Skepta's ongoing partnership with Nike continues to represent what 'creps' are as an integral part of London streetwear fashion and how this collab represents this.
Lil Nas X 'Satan Shoes' x MSCHF (2021)
Image property of MSCHF.
When Lil Nas X first came on the scene, he was 19. His viral debut single, "Old Town Road", garnered significant success and much controversy surrounding its qualification as a bonafide "country" song. Since then, Lil Nas X has leaned into his identity as an openly gay man and has taken full creative licence to grapple with tough and sensitive subjects on religion, sexuality, and queerness alike.
In 2021, he partnered up with MSCHF, a Brooklyn-based art collective famed for its stunts and gimmicks causing major contention, creating arguably THEE most controversial sneaker collab by a musical artist. Behold the 'Satan Shoes'—sold out in minutes, this sneaker had all the church aunties in uproar as it came out almost as a corresponding 'merch' item to his even more provocative or even 'shit-starting' music video to his self-titled single "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)".
Modelled after Nike's Air Max 97s, the art piece-sneaker fusion was sold in a red and black colourway adorned with a bronze pentagram charm on the tongue and even had a print reading Luke 10:18—a passage in the Bible describing Satan's fall "like lightning from heaven". The New York Times reported that the shoe even contained a vial of blood, blood provided by employees at MSCHF artistically committed to the stunt. In total, 666 pairs were distributed and sold, each costing $1018 as a nod to the aforementioned biblical passage.
Among all the uproar and widespread panic at the time, Nike came out with a public announcement denying any involvement in these releases, even filing a lawsuit against MSCHF as they kept Nike's trademark 'Swoosh' sign embroidered on the side of the sneaker.
Later, doubling down on their brand's provocative nature, MSCHF released the 'Jesus Shoe' to counter the previous model. This time, the heavenly sneaker featured a pearly white and soft turquoise colourway adorned with a gold cross charm on the tongue and a vial of holy water in the sole, allowing the wearer to, quite literally, walk on water.
Run DMC x Adidas Superstar '1986' (1986/2011)
Run-DMC is one of the most influential groups in hip-hop history, emerging from Queens, New York in the 1980s. They helped usher in the golden age of hip-hop, becoming the first rap group to earn a gold record and having their music videos prominently featured on MTV.
Their 1986 endorsement with Adidas was a groundbreaking moment, not only in their career but also in the music and fashion world. Run-DMC became the first musical group to collaborate with a major sportswear brand, setting the stage for today's artists to become brand ambassadors and secure significant endorsements.
The group's success with their hit single "My Adidas" from the album Raising Hell was a pivotal moment in this partnership. As writer Gary Warnett aptly put it, Run-DMC had "earned their Adidas stripes", as their endorsement led millions to flock to stores, driving brand sales. Recognising their influence, Adidas proposed a collaboration that would change the course of fashion and hip-hop culture. The collaboration on the Adidas Superstar sneaker is the origin story of the now commonplace "shoe collab" phenomenon.
The Adidas Superstar sneaker was designed in 1969 for basketball players and featured a reinforced rubber toecap. However, Run-DMC made the shoe iconic by wearing it laceless, with the tongue flipped outward. Their sneaker version featured the Run-DMC emblem embroidered in signature red and black colours and the classic "Superstar" label with red lines accentuating it.
This collaboration cemented Run-DMC's cultural impact and opened the floodgates for future hip-hop artists to collaborate with brands like Nike and Reebok. In 2011, to mark their 25th anniversary, the famed trio received the official green light from Adidas to collaborate on their own commemorative Superstar silhouette, further solidifying their legacy in both music and fashion.
Odd Future x VANS 'Donut Sk8-Hi' (2013)
Image property of Vans and Odd Future.
Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (better known as Odd Future) is an eclectic group of creatives and artists formed in California in 2007. Throughout the years, members have taken off on their own solo careers and worked on collaborative projects, like the Loiter Squad TV show on Adult Swim.
OF also stands as an exemplar of arguably the only large alternative hip-hop musical group that can collectively succeed in their respective creative endeavours and work individually with respect to their creative individuality. Some notable members include Frank Ocean, Earl Sweatshirt, Frank Ocean, L-Boy and Syd [tha Kyd] from the famed R&B band, The Internet.
Though no longer available, the Odd Future and Vans collaboration remains a quirky piece of sneakerhead and skater history. Staying true to their fun, odd and alternative vibe, they created the new rendition of the Sk8-Hi and Authentic designed by Tyler, the Creator.
As such, their Donut Sk8-Hi sneaker has a repeat pink sprinkle doughnut pattern printed on a background of teal canvas material all over the sneaker. This colourway, 'Scuba Blue', remains immensely popular as they are frequently sold out on many e-commerce platforms. While symbolic of Tyler's (as a pioneer in OF) relationship with fashion, this shoe was not the last.
Tyler, The Creator's Golf Le Fleur x Converse (2017)
As previously mentioned, it's important to reaffirm Tyler, the Creator's status as a trailblazer in music and fashion. As Odd Future's head honcho, he gained recognition for pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and shaping internet culture with his alternative hip-hop style.
After parting ways with Vans due to creative restrictions, Tyler found new freedom with Converse, as he explained in an interview with The Fader. "Imagine being in a fucking cocoon," he said. "Vans just wouldn't let me grow. It was a ceiling, and I was like, 'Fuck this.' Converse is allowing me to bloom, no pun intended, and it's great."
Tyler's mention of "no pun intended" is fitting, given the floral-heavy design of his collaboration with Converse, which coincided with the release of his 2017 album Flower Boy. The partnership is a nod to the album's themes and aesthetic, with the iconic Converse One Star silhouette reimagined to feature a flower instead of the traditional star. The shoe was released in three vibrant colourways—'Jolly Green', 'Solar Power', and 'Vanilla'—each reflecting the album's themes of joy, youthful angst, and unrequited love.
Drake x Nike Air Jordan 3 'Anaconda' (2014)
Image property of Nice Kicks.
Drake's Air Jordan x OVO collection, Certified Loverboy Air Force 1s, Raptors Air Jordan IV, and Nike x NOCTA sneakers are all well-documented highlights of his sneaker legacy. But let's rewind to 2014: Drake's long-standing relationship with Nike is a fact. However, many prototypes from his various collaborations have never been officially released; instead, they have become valuable art pieces sold at auctions in highbrow hip-hop spaces.
Nike designer Mark Smith designed an elephant-print prototype of the Nike Air Jordan 3 shoe for Drake, famously featuring Nicki Minaj's hit "Anaconda" in the official music video. He wore the shoe while receiving a lapdance from Nicki herself while having its little cameo. As previously said, these shoes came as part of a series of unreleased 'unicorn' sneakers that have remained in the vault, unavailable to the mainstream wider public, but have and continue to have cultural significance.
Nelly x Nike's Air Force 1 'Nellyville' (2002)
Nelly's 2002 hit "Air Force Ones", from his sophomore album Nellyville, is often credited with reviving the 1982 sneaker, which had faded from prominence until the early 2000s. While this wasn't a direct collaboration with Nike, the song propelled the sneaker back into the mainstream, driving massive sales and elevating its cultural significance.
Speaking on the shoe's legacy, Nelly discussed how his song played a crucial role in the resurgence of the Air Force 1. He noted that despite his influence, Nike never officially collaborated with him, and he hasn't received any royalties or residuals from the continued success of the shoe. "I opened Nike's eyes to a lot of that," Nelly lamented on an episode of Sneaker Shopping, highlighting the powerful influence of Black artists in shaping cultural trends.
Following the release of "Air Force Ones", the sneaker's price allegedly jumped from $59.99 to $100 in just eight months, a trend that remains today. The Air Force 1, particularly in its all-white design, has become a summertime staple worldwide, with sneakerheads in cities like London and New York maintaining the tradition of keeping them pristine for the season.
Adding to the mystique surrounding Nelly's impact on sneakers, a rare variant exists under the Nellyville AF1 moniker. This all-white edition features the Nellyville LP text graphic on the heel in black typography and on the insole. Though little is known about the production run—Lil Yachty showcased a pair of aged Nellyville AF1s on an episode of Complex Closets, further adding to the shoe's mythic status. These sneakers serve as a reminder of Nelly's undeniable role in the sneaker culture, even without an official collaboration with Nike.
What do you prefer: the Aminé x New Balance 'BTEE740', the Adidas Yeezy line, Travis Scott's Nike Air Jordan collection, Pharrell and Nigo's Ice Cream Boardflips, or the Roca-A-Fella Records Air Force 1s? Let us know your favourite rap sneaker collab below!