A LOOK AT HIP HOP'S BIGGEST SNEAKER COLLABORATORS

As some rappers have grown in popularity, their desire to venture outside of the music industry has also increased, especially in the sneaker category of streetwear. These collaborations have become synonymous with the artist’s likeness and become a way for fans to rep their favourite musician in a sometimes lowkey way. Along with uniting music and fashion, these collaborations have produced a lasting impact on the industry by bringing to life a number of famous trainers. The following five rappers are well-known for their well-liked shoe collaborations:

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5 – DJ Khaled’s Jordan Collaborations

With his trademark partnerships, DJ Khaled, a well-known personality in the music business, has created waves in the sneaker community as well. DJ Khaled, who is well-known for his upbeat demeanor and catchphrases, has collaborated with companies like Jordan Brand to produce unique trainers that capture his vibrant sense of fashion and enthusiasm for the sneaker scene. Despite not being a rapper in the conventional sense, his vast shoe collection and his hip-hop background have made him a notable figure among celebrities with a lot of impact in the sneaker industry. His partnerships usually include eye-catching hues, high-end materials, and regular social media teases, creating a lot of buzz before the products ever officially launch. DJ Khaled’s trainers are praised for their unique style and exclusivity. They offer interesting never before seen colours on Jordan 5 silhouettes and are some of the more accessible collaborations within this list.

4 – Pharell Williams and Adidas

Thanks to his Adidas Originals partnerships, Pharrell Williams has established a distinctive niche for himself in the shoe industry. His Human Race NMD collection highlights diversity and togetherness with its eye-catching colours and motivational words across the top. Pharrell’s partnerships with Adidas Originals are both stylish and significant because of his ability to incorporate social messages, music, and fashion into his shoe designs. Pharell also works in partnership with “Essentials” another streetwear brand connected to his Adidas shoes. While Pharell’s shoes aren’t as sought after as they once were, they represented an important level of innovation and cross over between hiphop and fashion at the height of their popularity.

3 – Drake and Nike

Drake’s partnership with Jordan Brand under his OVO label has resulted in luxurious, coveted trainers with his distinctive black, white and gold colour scheme. Drake expanded his fashion impact by collaborating with Nike to create NOCTA, a line of apparel with a focus on comfort and utility for those on the go. NOCTA is inspired by Nike’s history and strives to provide a “uniform” for diligent workers by fusing fashion and functionality. Drake’s project, which combines his ambitions for music and design with Nike’s history in athletics to produce adaptable, daily basics, is a momentous one.

Through NOCTA we’ve seen Drake release his own take on the classic Nike Air Force 1, as well as his very own signature shoe silhouettes such as the NOCTA Hot Step, and the newly released NOCTA Glide.

2 – Travis Scott and Air Jordan

Travis Scott has collaborated on sneakers with a number of brands, including Jordan Brand and Nike, to great success. The iconic ‘Mocha’ Air Jordan 1 Retro High featured a backward-facing Swoosh, which has since become a defining feature of his designs. The Travis Scott x Nike Air Force 1 “Sail” and the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 “Cactus Jack” are two more noteworthy releases that showcase Scott’s distinct style and quickly became popular among sneakerheads. Travis’ shoes are the most sought after sneakers in the world nowadays, with each new drop becoming more and more exclusive and coming with ludicrous resale prices. Travis Scott also recently dropped his first signature silhouette called the “Jumpman Jack” during his Grammys performance which sold out immediately. With the demand behind Scott’s exclusive drops rising, the hype never seems to die down and some could attribute a lot of Nike’s recent success to the artist.

1 – Kanye West and YEEZY with Adidas

The most successful rapper-sneaker collaboration in history is probably Kanye West’s with Adidas to launch the Yeezy brand. West’s Yeezys are now widely associated with streetwear and high fashion, bringing in billions of dollars for Adidas. Famous models including the Yeezy Boost 350 and Yeezy Boost 700, recognised for their unique styles and restricted availability, have been created as a result of the partnership. While said partnership has recently dissolved due to controversial comments made by West in the media, the collaboration was undoubtedly the trendsetter for modern rapper and sneaker collaborations. Even before Kanye’s deal to make Yeezy’s in collaboration with Adidas, he had a limited “Air Yeezy” run with Nike, creating some of the most iconic shoes in history.

Hip-hop culture and sneaker culture have created a special place where fashion and music meet, resulting in memorable events and items that have an enduring impact even after they are first released. Through their well-known hallmark collaborations, musicians such as DJ Khaled, Pharrell Williams, Drake, Travis Scott and Kanye West have had a big impact on the sneaker market in addition to leaving their stamp on the music business. These collaborations showcase the musicians’ distinct aesthetics, inventiveness, and the close relationship between their music and their listeners’ fashion preferences.

What’s your all-time favourite rapper signature collaboration? Did I miss a hugely impactful one? Let us know!