Since the very early days of rap music, MC’s have been talking about the sneakers they were wearing. And while the specific sneakers may have changed, shoes are still an incredibly important part of the culture. These are the most important sneakers in Hip Hop History.
Puma Suede
When hip hop was in its infancy, fans of DJ’s like Kool Herc were big into break dancing. And the Puma, already a popular brand thanks to its collaboration with Knicks star Walt Frazier, were excellent for dancing with a flexible upper and thick soles.
Clarks Wallabees
The Clarks Wallabee isn’t exactly a sneaker as it should probably be best described as a mocassin with sneaker bottoms. The brand was hugely popular with fans including Slick Rick and Wu Tang Clan members Ghost Face Killah and Raekwon.
Nike Cortez
The Cortez, Nike’s first track running shoe, was first released in 1972. Like many of the brand’s sneakers, they became popular on the streets as well. The Nike Cortez was a favorite on the west coast and was regularly associated with the iconic group NWA.
BAPE STA
Pharrell Williams is one of the great producers in music history, but he’s also iconic for his fashion game. Williams was among the first artists to bring big brands from other countries over to the states including Japan’s Bathing Ape and their STA shoe.
New Balance 574
New Balance sneakers are a favorite of runners but they also received a memorable shout-out from A Tribe Called Quest’s Pfife Dawg said that he wore the shoes to ‘avoid a narrow path”, in the song Buggin’ Out. The rappers favorite were the 574 model.
Reebok S. Carter
As he rose to the top of the rap world in the early 2000’s, Jay Z signed a deal with Reebok to create his own signature line of shoes called S. Carter, referencing his real name. Jay became the first rapper to recieve his own signature line with a major company.
Chuck Taylor All-Stars
The legendary Converse line has inserted itself into all aspects of culture and certainly has fans within the hip-hop community. NWA members like Eazy-E and Ice Cube commonly wore them and current rapper Wiz Khalifa helped the shoe retain a presence in teh hip hop world.
Air Jordan I
The first Air Jordan was an immediate hit both on the courts and on the street. LL Cool J. who was rising in music at the same time that Jordan was rising in the NBA sported a pair of black and red Jordan I’s on the back cover of his Radio album.
Bally Competition
Several high-end companies attempted to get into the sneaker game in the 1980’s and quickly they became a way for rappers to flash their wealth. The Bally Competition was among the most popular luxury shoes and were shouted out by Slick Rick.
British Knights
MC Hammer became a massive crossover superstar in the rap world and companies were eager to capitalize on his incredible popularity. British Knights signed Hammer to a deal that helped the brand to acheive global recognition.
Nike Air Max 90
Nike has several iconic sneakers within its Air Max line, but the third release, also known at the ’90 for the year they came out have remained popular in the rap game for decades. Eninem is a notable fan of the ground breaking shoes.
Nike Air Max Goadome Boots
While Nike has long been one of the most popular sneaker brands in hip hop, Timberland has been the king of boots. Nike tried to change that with their Air Max Goadome Boots which Wale liked so much that he wrote a song about them.
adidas Rod Laver
Rod Laver was the more accomplished tennis star, but the adidas Stan Smith has always been the more iconic shoe. That doesn’t mean Laver’s shoes don’t have fans in the hip hop community as Madvillain called them out in his song Meat Grinder.
Nike Air Jordan IV
He’s had a long career and has made numerous shoes references, calling out both adidas and Timberlands, but Nas will tells you that Nike will always come first for him. And his favorite model of Nikes is the Air Jordan IV.
Nike Air Force 1
The Nike Air Force 1 was first released in 1982 and were immediately popular in the hip hop community as they were called Uptowns in New York City. The popularity has remained and Nelly dedicated an entire song to the shoe in the early 2000s.
Reebok Answer 6
Soon after he entered the league Allen Iverson signed with Reebok. Iverson was an extremely popular star in the hip hop community and the brand had rapper Jadakiss promote the A6’s in a commercial helping to further push Iverson.
Vans Donut SK8-HI
Odd Future was a collective that featured not only rappers, but also skateboarders, film makers and designers. The group was as alternative as it gets in hip hop and that can be seen in their collaboration with Vans, designing a sneaker with donut images.
Nike Various
Nike has made several smart partnerships with rappers and the one with Travis Scott has been very successful. Scott hasn’t concentrated on one shoe, instead collaborating with Nike on Air Force 1’s, Jordan 1’s and Jordan 4’s.
Nike Air Max 95’s
The Air Max line has continued to be a winner for Nike and The Game provided one of the greatest name checks in rap history, “I’ll kill you if you try me for my Air Max 95’s” on the song Hate it or Love it with 50 Cent.
Nike Dunk Low SBs
Nike Dunks have long been popular in the rap world, but the 2000s were when basketball, skateboarding and hip hop came together with the Dunk Low SBs. Renowned hip hop group De La Soul got their own SB dunks in 2015.
adidas Campus
Run-DMC wasn’t the only group on Def Jam records who were proud supporters of adidas as the Beastie Boys were frequently seen wearing the Campus. They shouted out the brand in the saong Shadrach, claiming they have more pairs than “a plumbers got pliers”
Air Jordan III
The Air Jordan III was a smash hit for the company and was soon a favorite of rappers as well. The iconic KRS-One rapped in Word From Our Sponsor, that he would never wear anything but Nikes and sported Air Jordan III’s in the video for My Philosophy.
adidas Stan Smith
The Stan Smiths were first released in the 1970’s and have remained incredibly popular even to this day. The green and white sneakers were even called out by Jay-Z in the blueprint making the tennis player’s kids think he was cool.
Nike and adidas Yeezy
A controversial superstar rapper who is as interested in fashion as he is in hip hop, Kanye West first made his Yeezy shoes with Nike before moving over to adidas a few years later. While the rapper is a troubling figure, his sneakers remain incredibly popular.
adidas Superstar
There is no bigger partnership when it comes to rappers and shoes than Run-DMC and adidas. The
Superstar was the chosen brand for the group who later signed one of the earliest rapper endorsement deals in rap history.